Top 10: Ancient Ruins

With the existence of thousands of once thriving civilisations, you won’t believe the abundance of ancient cities and temples that now lie in ruins longing to be appreciated…

1.     Gebel Barkal – Sudan

At the heart of Sudan lies this small mountain which once formed part of the collective empire of the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III and has since become a site of archaeological importance. Situated north of Khartoum, at the bend in the Nile River, this site marked the primary trade route between central Africa and Egypt and stands now as a silent testament to a great ancient culture that flourished in this barren environment. The extensive remains surrounding this location are said to include at least 13 temples and 3 palaces, with pyramids and tombs still visible today. Remaining as poignant symbols of a lost civilisation, they are strongly associated with religious traditions and folklore and as nature starts to reclaim the landscape, these sacred creations have gradually started to merge into the scenery. 

2.     The Colosseum – Italy

Standing tall as a symbol of power and strength, The Colosseum is admired for its exquisite Roman architecture and cultural significance. For hundreds of years it provided an arena for gladiatorial contests, public conquests and executions and has since been used as a fortress, a quarry and a Christian shrine. As one of Rome’s most famous historical sites we flock to it in drones, eager to immerse ourselves in such a prominent symbol of a lost empire and there is much to admire. From its ornate structure of towering arches, half columns and vast windows to the aura of a forgotten era exuded from the inter-locking passageways that line the arena floor. In its entirety the structure acts as a ghostly reminder of the fearless gladiators and exotic animals from far flung destinations that fought and died in the name of entertainment and celebration. Luckily for us this tradition ran its course and we have settled for enjoying the blessing of life without rejoicing in the bringing of death.

3.     Petra – Jordan

Petra meaning ‘rock’, has been referred to as ‘a rose-red city half as old as time’ due to the vibrant colour of the rocks from which the city is carved. Revered by many as a sacred site its striking construction cut in to the rock stands as a symbol of celestial greatness with some of the decoration depicting carved statues of gods and goddesses. A man-made beauty enclosed by the protective shield of rock, Petra held the advantages of a fortress and controlled the main commercial routes to Gaza, Damascus and the Red Sea. Protruding from the sandstone is Al Khazneh, also known as The Treasury, Petra’s most elaborate ruin and the most breath-taking in appearance, with close similarities to roman architecture in the form of curved pillars and straight edged, symmetrical frames. The site also holds host to an elaborate amphitheatre which has been cut in to the hillside, the Monastery; Petra’s largest monument and several ancient tombs. 

4.     Mesa Verde – USA

This National Park preserves a spectacular reminder of the ancient civilisation of the Puebloans and their descendents who flourished here for over 700 years. Contained and protected inside the park are over 4,000 known archaeological sites including the ruins of intricate cliff dwellings and the mesa top sites of pithouses, pueblos, masonry towers and farming structures. These simple structures were built beneath the overhanging cliffs and ranged in size from one room to clusters of over a hundred. The Cliff Palace dwelling contained 150 rooms and had a population of about 100 people. It is believed that it was a social, administrative site with high ceremonial usage. Sheltered and encased amongst the sand-coloured rock, these dwellings have been carefully preserved, capturing fragments of a people no longer in existence. They compliment the notion of nature and man residing together in a harmonious balance and after taking a look at the size of the doorways it is clear to see that the people were a lot shorter than we are today!

5.     San Ignacio Mini – Jesuit Mission Ruins -Argentina

Following the Spanish colonial period, this site was one of many missions founded in 1632 by the Jesuits. By the 18^th Century the mission had a population of around 3,000 people and had a flourishing cultural diversity which led to the development of an array of creative crafts and elaborate architecture. These terra-cotta ruins were once small, economically strong cities and are one of the best preserved sites across the whole of South America, providing a unique insight in to the lives of a substantial faction of indigenous people. Swallowed up in dense vegetation the ruins were uncovered and later found to reveal a church, a cabildo or government administrative building, a cemetery, a monastery and some houses. Scattered across Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, these ruins carved from local red sandstone stand as proud tributes to an important historical and religious event, their scorched walls prominent in contrast to the encroaching greenery that’s threatens to once again consume them.

6.     Machu Picchu – Peru

Nestled high like a regal crown upon the tip of a mountain ridge lies the most famous icon of the Incas. Machu Picchu is situated 2430 metres above sea level, overlooking the Urubamba Valley in Peru. This lost city of the Incas was once a thriving city and was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry stone walls and a tiered complex placed up on a pedestal beneath the clouds. The city was comprised of three primary buildings the Intihuatana, The Temple of the Sun and The Room of the Three Windows and they were located in what archaeologists have called the Sacred District. Admired as a masterpiece of ancient architecture and a sacred religious site, this ruined city remains relatively intact as its remote location protected the cultural site from invasion and plundering. The site has since become a historical sanctuary bordered by a rich and vibrant environment of flora and fauna. Hike the Inca trail and catch the first glimpse of the forgotten city in all its masterful magnificence.

7.     Preah Khan Temple - Angkor, Cambodia.
Located northeast of Angkor Thom, this captivating temple has slowly merged with the surrounding landscape, elegantly intertwining the creeping roots of ancient trees with the crumbling stone of the sacred walls. The temple was once prosperous with almost 100,000 monks, students and teachers working and living within its walls and is said to have housed royalty on and off since its creation. Flat in design, it has a basic plan of successive rectangular galleries centred on a Buddhist sanctuary and small Hindu satellite temples. The intriguing name, Preah Khan, was taken from a sacred sword that is believed to safeguard all of Cambodia. This ruin is gradually starting to gain some high standing in the cultural world, due to its ornate architecture, and intricate decoration of lotus flowers and enigmatic Garudas, which serve as mythical guardians of the temple complex and are carved out of the stone walls in a celebration of tradition and unrelenting faith. 

8.     City of Ephesus - Turkey
Once an ancient Greek city and later the second largest city of the Roman Empire, this ruined city was famed for the Temple of Artemis and its large gladiators’ graveyard. Today this site contains the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean, and is believed to still have 85% of the city waiting to be excavated. Stretching out into the vast, dry landscape, the ruins provide an insight in to the original splendour of this once great city. The Library of Celsus stands as a stark reminder of the powerful civilisations that it was built to represent, cylindrical columns, curled, carved detailing and dominant frames blend to create a picture of superior architecture and majestic grace. The Tomb of John the Apostle and the prominent Gate of Augustus add further depth to this expansive city, where the ghostly presence of a lost generation emanates from the sand-coloured stone.

9.     The Acropolis – Athens

This impressive ancient landmark is the best known acropolis in the world, with its raised standing on a flat-topped rock which towers above the city of Athens in an aura of celestial magnificence. The dominant structure of the Parthenon, also referred to as the Temple of Athena, immediately captures the attention of all who are lucky enough to see it, a grand building, lining the surface of the rock, dominated by immense, symmetrical columns that form the expansive walls and supportive base for the aging stone roof. Over the years valuable ancient artefacts have been gathered and preserved within the Acropolis Museum on the southern slope of the site saving them from being lost to the elements and destruction of time. Every four years, as a celebration of the sites cultural significance, the Athenians used to hold the festival of Panathenaea which included a long procession through Athens and the placing of a vast woollen robe upon the colossal ivory and gold statue of the goddess Athena.

10.  Ruined city of Nan Madol – Micronesia

This little known ruin lies off the eastern coast of the island of Pohnpei and is made up of a series of small artificial islands, connected by a network of tidal canals that crisscross among the ruins. Often called the ‘Venice of the Pacific’ this remote coastal site was home to many chiefs and a large number of commoners, with an elite centre for the local nobility and for holding religious ceremonies. With a minimal population of about 1,000 people, this city is rumoured to have had an escape tunnel which began at the centre of Nan Madol and burrowed down through the surrounding reef to exit into the ocean, although a complete tunnel has not yet been discovered. Local history states that the creation of Nan Madol was aided by a powerful magician, who flew in the huge stone logs and stone needed for the construction. An air of mystery and intrigue seems to engage this mystical city with curious travellers from all over the world, with elements that link to the myth of Atlantis, this dishevelled city is slowly being conquered by the encroaching undergrowth and the threatening water levels. 

 

 Can you think of any others that should be in the Top 10?