The oldest building in the world. The most ancient buildings
A trip to the most ancient cities on the planet will help you touch the origins of civilization. By visiting some of them during your summer vacation, you can not only have a good rest, but also learn a lot of interesting information.
1. Maltese megalithic temples, Malta
Maltese temples are the oldest man-made structures on Earth. Scientific research has proven that temples were built a thousand years before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. Scientists cannot understand how people at that time were able to build such structures without the use of special equipment. After all, many monolithic stone slabs from which temples were built weigh more than fifty tons. There is indirect evidence that the territory of Malta at that time was inhabited by giant people who had no difficulty moving multi-ton monoliths. There is no answer to the question of what kind of civilization existed in this territory, and where the builders of the stone temples went. After all, similar structures have not been discovered anywhere else on Earth. Unfortunately, numerous wars and civil strife that took place on Maltese territory more or less destroyed the ancient buildings, but many of them have survived and are accessible to tourists. UNESCO took the prehistoric temples under its protection and included them in the World Heritage List. Today they are accessible to tourists.
2. Sardinian Ziggurat, Sardinia
The Sardinian ziggurat was built more than five and a half thousand years ago and was an important religious center. During the Second World War, the ziggurat was thoroughly destroyed, as the defense line passed through this place. But starting in 1954, the Sardinian ziggurat began to be restored and restored. Currently the prehistoric complex hosts numerous groups tourists from all over the world.
3. Newgrange, Ireland
Newgrange is one of the attractions of Ireland. The oldest structure was erected between 3100 and 2900 BC. Newgrange is a megalithic structure, building material Multi-ton stone slabs were used. The plates were connected to each other without the use of a special solution. The structure has a height of thirteen meters and a diameter of eighty-five meters. Scientists assume that it was used as a calendar, since the structure is strictly oriented to the cardinal points. Perhaps with the help of this building The time for sowing and harvesting was determined. Newgrange is located near the River Boyne.
4. Hulbjerg Jættestue, Denmark
The structure was built more than five thousand years ago and was used as a tomb. Scientists archaeologists found the remains of four hundred people in the tomb. The teeth of one of the buried people showed traces of healing. The level of ancient dentistry amazed scientists. Without metal instruments, the doctor managed to place a dental filling of sufficiently high quality.
5. Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt
The oldest one in Egypt was built in 2650 BC. The author of the pyramid, Imhotep, erected it for Pharaoh Djoser as a tomb. The pyramid has a stepped shape, for this reason in the circles of archaeological scientists it is also called the Step Pyramid. The pyramid is very popular among tourists due to its venerable age and unusual shape.
6. Caral, Peru
Caral is a city that existed more than five thousand years ago, it is considered the oldest urban settlement on the American continent. The city arose approximately at the same time as other first world civilizations. Scientists hope to find answers to questions about the emergence of the first civilizations in the city. Currently, seventeen pyramids have been cleared of sand and are accessible to tourists. The reasons for the disappearance of Caral have not yet been established; it is assumed that people left the city in 1600 BC and moved to other more favorable areas of Peru.
7. Treasury of Atreus, Greece
The tomb is located in Mycenae, its estimated age is three thousand two hundred years. Huge contribution V Scientific research The tombs were brought in by the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. During the excavations, it was discovered that all the domed tombs, of which there were nine, had been completely looted, but the earlier tombs, built in the sixteenth century BC, remained intact. Archaeologists discovered the richest burials; the faces of all the people buried in the tomb were covered with masks made of gold. The robes of the buried were also decorated with gold. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the bodies of once reigning dynasties rest in these tombs.
Suspension bridges and skyscrapers are marvels of modern engineering, but some of the world's most impressive structures were built thousands of years ago. On our list you will find several amazing architectural monuments, each of which was created long before the birth of Christ.
Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the structure that became the Great Wall of China to begin. The length of this monumental structure exceeds 10,000 kilometers.
Newgrange
Approximately four days a year, starting from the winter solstice, the rays of the sun penetrate through the top of this monument and fall on the floor of the inner chamber, filling ancient temple light. Built long before Stonehenge (3200 BC), Newgrange was most likely used as a religious building. The remains of an earthen rampart around suggest that the inhabitants of the village could have defended themselves against invasion here.
Acropolis
The first buildings that formed the Acropolis in Athens were destroyed by the Persians around 480 BC. The complete reconstruction of the majestic structure took the Greeks fifty years - but the work was really worth it. The highlight of the Acropolis was the famous Parthenon, where once stood a beautiful statue of Athena made of gold and ivory.
Gobekli Tepe
This is the world's first temple, built back in 9000 BC. The statues located here date back a thousand years earlier. And the most interesting thing is that some design features still baffle archaeologists: T-shaped pillars weigh more than 60 tons - how did people of a primitive society even cope with them?
Stonehenge
Perhaps the most famous archaeological site on the planet. Stonehenge was built in 3000 BC from different types stone - some of them, it is not clear how, were delivered to a place 300 kilometers away. In addition, scientists continue to debate about the true purpose of Stonehenge. The strangest theories are put forward: from an ancient mystical cult to an advanced astronomical instrument.
Karnak stones
Most likely this one the oldest monument served people to track the movement of the Sun and stars. Just think, in 4500 BC. Our ancestors were able to carry out the most complex mathematical calculations, building interesting and original machines for this. As many as 3,000 stones are placed in strict order on the field, some weighing more than several tons.
Megalithic Temples
Group of six temples different styles- one of my favorites tourist places Malta. The megalithic buildings are notable not only for their age (they date back to 3,500 BC), but also for their direct connection with modern technical solutions.
Knap of Howar
Simple stone house? Not really. In front of you is the oldest of the houses northern Europe. The two buildings of the Knap of Howar are connected by a tricky passage, and there are wonderful views of the sea right from the door. A hole in the roof indicates that the house was heated by fire, and the surviving furniture is made of stone.
As you know, the list of the most famous ancient attractions ancient culture includes only seven miracles. But we plucked up courage and included three more buildings in it that, in our opinion, are worthy of your attention. So.
Ajanta or Ajanta Caves is a Buddhist temple and monastery complex located near the village of the same name, 100 km northeast of the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra state, India. It was discovered in 1839. It is a horseshoe-shaped cliff, in which, starting from the 2nd century BC. e. to the 5th century AD e. 30 (according to other sources 29) caves with columns, Buddha statues and world-famous wall paintings reflecting the life of India of that era were carved. This painting, illustrating Buddhist legends and myths, is not only a work of art, but also a valuable historical source of knowledge about those times.
Newgrange
Newgrange is an ancient structure made of huge blocks of stone, one of the largest and oldest corridor tombs, built by man approximately between 3000 BC. e. - 2500 BC e. (older Great Pyramid at Giza and probably Stonehenge). Located 40.2 km north of the city of Dublin, approximately one kilometer north of the River Boyne, County Meath, Ireland. The height of the mound is 13.5 meters, diameter is 85 meters. Ancient people built it from 200,000 tons of stone, wood and earth. It is a large round mound inside, which contains a 19-meter stone corridor leading to the burial chamber. Included in the list of the most mysterious attractions in the world.
Derinkuyu
Derinkuyu is an ancient multi-level underground city located under the city of the same name in the province of Nevsehir, Turkey. It was built in the II-I millennium BC. e. Discovered in 1963. The underground city reaches a depth of 60 meters and in ancient times could shelter up to 20 thousand people along with food and livestock. Here people hid for centuries from raids by nomads, religious persecution and other dangers. Although the Derinkuyu underground city was intended as a temporary shelter, its scale is impressive. It includes numerous wine cellars, stables, cellars, warehouses, refectories, chapels, numerous ventilation ducts, as well as a complex network of tunnels and corridors.
7 wonders ancient world
The Lighthouse of Alexandria is a lighthouse built according to the design of the architect Sostratus of Knidos approximately in 279-280. BC e. on the island of Pharos, near Alexandria in Egypt, so that ships could safely pass the reefs on their way to Alexandria Bay. According to estimates, its light was visible at a distance of 51 km (according to other sources, up to 83 km). It is assumed that the Alexandria Lighthouse was about 115–120 meters high and at that time was the tallest building in the world. In the 14th century, it was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and in its place, by order of the then Sultan of Egypt Qaitbay (1416/1418–1496), the Qait Bay fortress was erected, which today is a maritime museum.
Colossus of Rhodes - bronze statue ancient Greek god Sun - Helios built between 292 BC. e. - 280 BC e. in the harbor of the port city of Rhodes on the island of the same name in the Aegean Sea in Greece. It was built according to the design of the architect Chares, a student of Lysippos, in honor of the victory of the inhabitants of Rhodes over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonus I One-Eye, who, together with his son and an army of 40,000 people, unsuccessfully besieged the city in 305 BC. The height of the statue is about 30 meters. It stood on a 10-meter pedestal and weighed, according to various estimates, from 30 to 70 tons. Compared to other wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes “lived” a short life. About 50 years after its creation, it was completely destroyed by an earthquake and melted down.
In fifth place on the list is the “Mausoleum at Halicarnassus” - a tomb built between 353 and 350 BC. e. in Halicarnassus (modern city of Bodrum, Turkey) for the king of Caria Mausolus and his wife-sister Artemisia III. Famous craftsmen were involved in the construction and decoration of the tomb, including the famous sculptors Skopas, Briaxides, Timotheos and Leochares. The tomb of Mausolus was a majestic and unusually shaped building, built of brick and lined with white marble inside and out. The 45-meter-high mausoleum in Halicarnassus stood for approximately 19 centuries, but collapsed in the 13th century due to a strong earthquake.
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia is an ancient Greek statue of Zeus that was located in the center of the temple of the same name at Olympia on the Peloponnese Peninsula. It was erected in the 5th century BC by the ancient Greek sculptor and architect Phidias. The statue of the god reached 12–13 meters in height and was made of wood (according to some sources, cedar, according to others, ebony). On this wooden base, with the help of bronze and iron nails and special hooks, parts made of ivory, gold and precious stones. The circumstances surrounding the possible destruction of the statue are unknown. According to information from the Byzantine historian George Kedrin, it was transported to Constantinople, where it burned down during a fire in 476.
Temple of Artemis of Ephesus - a Greek temple located in the city of Ephesus, Asia Minor (near modern city Selcuk, Türkiye). Was dedicated to Artemis - greek goddess hunting. Temple built in the middle of the 6th century BC. e, was a rectangular building 105 meters long and 51 meters wide, consisting of marble and wood, and surrounded on all sides by a double row of 127 columns, the height of which was 18 meters. Throughout its existence, it was rebuilt three times until July 21, 356 BC. e. was not set on fire by Herostratus, a resident of Ephesus who dreamed of becoming famous at any cost.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, more correctly called the Hanging Gardens of Amytis, is the only one of the seven wonders of the world whose location has not been definitively established. It is believed that the Hanging Gardens were built around 575 BC. e. V ancient city Babylon (near the modern city of Hilla, in Iraq), by King Nebuchadnezzar II, for his wife Amytis, who missed the forests of her homeland. They are a pyramid consisting of four tiers-platforms supported by columns up to 25 m high. On these tiers, fertile soil lay in a thick carpet, where seeds of various herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees native to Media were planted. The pyramid resembled an ever-blooming green hill. However, after in 331 BC. e. The troops of Alexander the Great captured Babylon, and the great commander himself died, the city gradually fell into decay. The gardens were abandoned and eventually destroyed.
The Pyramid of Cheops is the largest of the Egyptian pyramids, the only one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" that has survived to this day, and also one of the most famous tombs in the world. The pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile in Egypt on the Giza plateau, in close proximity to the famous “Great Sphinx”. The lion's share of Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built around 2560 BC. e. and is a tomb Egyptian pharaoh IV dynasty of Khufu (Cheops). It is believed that it was designed by the architect Hemion, the nephew of Cheops. Initially, the pyramid had a height of 146.5 m, but as a result of erosion, today its height is 138.75 m. The total weight of the pyramid is estimated at about 6.25 million tons, the area is ≈ 85,000 m².
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The secrets of ancient civilizations excite the minds of hundreds of researchers around the world. Moreover, peoples who have passed into history have left us dozens of buildings to study. The oldest surviving man-made structures date back to the fourth millennium BC.
Our top ten today contains the oldest buildings on Earth, of interest to both scientists and tourists who enjoy visiting these historical and architectural monuments.
10. Caucasian Dolmens, Russia
These stone tombs are found in the area Krasnodar region, Adygea, Stavropol Territory and Abkhazia. Most of these structures were built at the end of the third millennium BC. Scientists know about 3 thousand dolmens in the Caucasus. Unfortunately, many of them were badly damaged by vandals and natural influences. Almost all dolmens have free access; they are not fenced in any way and, alas, are not guarded by anyone.
9. Kivik Tomb, Sweden
This structure was built on the territory of modern Sweden more than 3,000 years ago. Long time local peasants used ancient stones for their own needs until scientific study of the object began in 1748. Today the Kivik Tomb is open to visitors.
8. Stonehenge, UK
This megalithic structure included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. Scientists believe that the construction of Stonehenge took more than one century. The main ditch and the oldest boulders were built between 3020 and 2910 BC. e. The most late works were completed around 2100 BC. e.
7. Treasury of Atreus, Greece
This tomb in Mycenae dates back about 3,200 years. It was first explored scientifically in 1879 by Heinrich Schliemann. The monumental ancient building is one of the most important monuments of the Mycenaean civilization.
6. Caral, Peru
One of the oldest settlements on Earth existed about 4,600 years ago. Scientists find it difficult to answer which civilization the city belonged to, because the Olmecs and other Indian tribes lived in South America thousands of years later. Currently, the ancient buildings have been cleared of sand and soil. But due to lack of funds research papers were suspended.
5. Pyramid of Djoser, Egypt
The oldest of the Egyptian pyramids was built about 4,700 years ago. The more famous pyramid of Cheops is larger, but a full 2 centuries younger than the pyramid of Djoser. The youngest of the pyramids of Giza are dated to the beginning of the second millennium BC.
4. Hulbjerg Jættestue, Denmark
The vast tomb, which contains the remains of 400 people, was built about 5,000 years ago. One of the discovered bodies amazed researchers with traces of the work of an ancient dentist.
3. Newgrange, Ireland
The megalithic structure is a corridor tomb, part of the huge complex of Brú na Bóinne. The construction of Newgrange dates back to around 2500 BC. e. Located ancient building Ireland 40 km from Dublin.
2. Sardinian Ziggurat (Monte D'Accoddi), Sardinia
One of the oldest buildings on Earth is 5.5 thousand years old. This ancient megalithic monument was built by representatives of the Ocieri culture, and then was repeatedly completed and rebuilt. The most recent reconstructions were made between 2600-2300 BC.
1. Maltese megalithic temples, Malta
The group of prehistoric temples is included in the UNESCO heritage list. It is believed that the most ancient human buildings on Earth are located here. Colossal temples were built by the islanders 1000 years before the Egyptian pyramids.
Today, people look at giant skyscrapers and consider them the pinnacle of human engineering. At the same time, many are not even aware of technological miracles ancient history- buildings and temples that seemed impossible to build in that distant time.
In this review little-known examples amazing ancient buildings.
1. Pueblo Bonito. USA
Located in northwestern New Mexico, Pueblo Bonito is the largest and most famous example of a "palace village" built by the Anasazi culture. The settlement began to be built in the first half of the 10th century AD, and was completed only 180 years later. At its peak, Pueblo Bonito had approximately 800 individual structures, some as many as five stories tall. The ancient settlement was first discovered in 1849 by US Army Lieutenant James H. Simpson. Since then, Pueblo Bonito has become one of the most excavated and explored archaeological sites in the southwestern United States. Unfortunately, a number of buildings were damaged when part of the cliff behind the settlement collapsed. What is especially interesting is that many mysterious petroglyphs were found in Pueblo Bonito, made somewhere at the end of the 10th - beginning of the 11th century.2. Chatal. Türkiye
The ancient settlement of Catal, discovered in southern Turkey, is estimated by modern scientists to have existed since 7500 BC. until about 5700 BC It was built by an unknown Neolithic culture, which scientists believe was highly advanced at that time. Excavations have been ongoing since the discovery of Chatal in the late 1950s by British archaeologist James Mellaart. A number of interesting items, including (supposedly) the earliest known map and some of the highest quality daggers of the period. The houses in Chatal have one intriguing feature: they do not have doors, and one had to enter the house through the roof, climbing up the stairs. In addition, the dead in this ancient settlement were buried under the floors of houses, in particular under fireplaces.
3. Lokmarak. France
The French region of Brittany is famous for its group of the largest prehistoric European megaliths. The largest megalith, created around 4500 BC, measures almost 21 meters in length and weighs between 200 and 280 tons. Today, no one will know why this megalith, known as the “Fairy Stone,” was broken thousands of years ago. This may have been caused by an earthquake, but most likely it was done by people. What is especially striking is that the “Fairy Stone” was delivered in one solid piece from a quarry located more than 10 kilometers away. How this was done is unknown.
4. Colossi of Memnon. Egypt
Built as a monument to Pharaoh Amenhotep III and placed near his now-destroyed temple, the Colossi of Memnon are a pair of 23-meter-tall statues. Also on these statues (to be more precise, at the foot of the thrones of the statues) you can find reliefs of Amenhotep’s wife, daughter and mother. The statues were named after Memnon, the hero Trojan War. There were stories that before the statues were damaged by the earthquake, the northern statue would make a sound like a bell ringing in the morning (possibly due to rising temperatures). The Egyptians believed that this sound expressed the approval of the gods.
5. Pillar of Pompey. Egypt
Pompey's Pillar was erected as a monument to the Roman Emperor Diocletian after he suppressed a rebellion in Alexandria. It is often mistakenly believed that it was built in honor of the Roman consul Gnaeus Pompey the Great, but the inscription on its base clearly indicates that the pillar was made in honor of Diocletian by the people of Alexandria. The story that when Pompey was defeated by Julius Caesar and fled Rome for Egypt, he was killed in Alexandria and his head placed in a funerary jar on top of a pillar (thus giving the pillar its name) is a myth. The 27-meter-tall pillar was built during the fourth century AD and was once part of the temple of the Roman god Serapis, which was later destroyed.
6. Dolmen Menga. Spain
Dating back to around 2000 BC, the Menga Dolmen (also known as Cueva de Menga) is a large megalithic burial mound located in southern Spain. The rows of burial chambers (their walls, roof and pillars) were created from huge stone blocks weighing up to 180 tons. As for the name, legend has it that a leper named Menga took up residence inside the dolmen after her husband died. Archaeologists believe that this dolmen is the largest such structure in Europe, and several hundred different skeletons inside it may have belonged to the rulers of the culture that built Menga. However, who these builders were remains a mystery to this day.
7. Quirigua. Guatemala
Built by the Mayans between 200 and 800 AD. the city of Quirigua can be found wonderful examples Mayan architecture, as well as some of the largest stelae (carved stone monuments) in existence. The “Stela E” alone weighs an incredible 65 tons. Quirigua was abandoned around 900 AD, which was probably due to the decline of the jade trade.
8. Dur Sharrukin. Iraq
Dur Sharrukin, which translates from Akkadian as "Sargon's Fortress", was built by the Assyrians sometime between 717 and 707 BC. in the northern part of modern Iraq. The size of the city was almost 2.6 square kilometers, and especially notable were the temple of Nabu (the god of vegetation) and the royal palace. However, the most interesting artifact recovered from the ruins is the Assyrian bull - a stone statue weighing about 40 tons. The city was abandoned soon after its construction was completed because King Sargon II of Assyria was killed in battle.
9. Hajar Kim. Malta
Located in Malta, the megalithic temple complex of Hajar Kim is believed to have been built by an unknown modern cultural scientists between 3200 and 2500 BC It is believed that this crop was destroyed as a result of famine or natural disaster. One of the earliest examples of religious beliefs can be found in Hajar Qim, with a number of statues of the fertility goddess preserved in the local temple. Interestingly, Hajar Qim was built hundreds of years earlier than Stonehenge.
10. Tiwanaku. Bolivia
The prehistoric capital of the Tiwanaku culture, the city of Tiwanaku is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. It was originally a small village, but between 400 and 900 AD. the city literally blossomed and many of the largest stone structures in South America were erected there. However, the city suddenly became deserted around 1000 AD, most likely due to floods. Eventually the Tiahuanaco civilization was conquered by the Incas. The city, which was once home to more than a million people, was only rediscovered in 1876.
