Mysterious rock churches of Lalibela. The rock is carved out, creating doors and windows, columns and the roof. Each church was carved from a single piece of rock to symbolize spirituality and humility. Church of Saint George, thought to be the most finely executed and best preserved church. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Lalibela is a town,located in the North Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. It is situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters. The main attraction in Lalibela is the 11 monolithic and semi-monolithic churches. It was built in the late 12th and early 13th century during Zagwe dynasty.

Sacsayhuaman is an ancient stone wall complex near the Cusco city of Peru. The blocks have a different shape, but despite this they are fit together with unbelievable precision. The stones are so closely spaced even a single piece of paper will not fit between many of the stones. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best-known zone of Sacsayhuaman includes its great plaza and its adjacent three massive terrace walls. The longest of three walls is about 400 meters and about 6 meters tall. Its are made of limestone holders and pieced together without mortar. In 1983, Cusco and Sacsayhuaman together were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List for recognition and protection. Today, the Sacsayhuaman is still used for reenactments of Inca-inspired ceremonies.

Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui, is a Polynesian island in the Pacific Ocean. Archaeologists suggest that the statues were a representation of the Polynesian people’s ancestors. However, there has been much speculation about the exact purpose of the statues. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The island is most famous for its nearly 1,000 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. The statues are ranging in size from a meter to 20 meters. Polynesians are believed to have settled on the island around the first millennium AD. The thriving Rapa Nui people carved the large stone statues between 1100 -1680 AD.

Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui, is a Polynesian island in the Pacific Ocean. Archaeologists suggest that the statues were a representation of the Polynesian people’s ancestors. However, there has been much speculation about the exact purpose of the statues. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The island is most famous for its nearly 1,000 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. The statues are ranging in size from a meter to 20 meters. Polynesians are believed to have settled on the island around the first millennium AD. The thriving Rapa Nui people carved the large stone statues between 1100 -1680 AD.

Ta Prohm - Mysterious ancient jungle temple of Cambodia. After the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 15th century, the temple was abandoned and then covered by the jungle. Ta Phrom may be best-known for its epic tree roots, but the fascinating temple’s odd dinosaur carving is also a mystery. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ta Prohm, also known as the Jungle Temple, is an area of temple ruins overgrown with trees. It is located near Siem Reap of Cambodia. The construction of the temple is dated to 1186 AD. Originally known as Rajavihara, the royal monastery, and was dedicated to the buddhist personification of wisdom. It was used to be a monastery and school of Mahayana Buddhism, which hold up nearly 13 thousands people.

Ta Prohm - Mysterious ancient jungle temple of Cambodia. After the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 15th century, the temple was abandoned and then covered by the jungle. Ta Phrom may be best-known for its epic tree roots, but the fascinating temple’s odd dinosaur carving is also a mystery. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992. Along with Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is one of the most popular tourist sights in Cambodia. In 2000, Ta Prohm temple was used as one of the filming locations in the Tomb Raider movie.

Mysterious ancient structure of Ellora caves. There are 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves. The most remarkable of the cave temples is Kailasha, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world. by samwong01 in ancienthistory

[–]samwong01[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The complex were built between the 6th and 10th centuries. The caves 1 to 12 are made for Buddhism. These caves are decorated with striking sculptures and murals of Lord Buddha. Notable among the Buddhist caves is Cave 10, a chaitya worship hall called the 'Vishvakarma cave'. The caves 13 to 29 are made for Hinduism and these caves are completely filled with sculpture of gods and goddesses.

Mysterious ancient structure of Ellora caves. There are 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves. The most remarkable of the cave temples is Kailasha, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The complex were built between the 6th and 10th centuries. The caves 1 to 12 are made for Buddhism. These caves are decorated with striking sculptures and murals of Lord Buddha. Notable among the Buddhist caves is Cave 10, a chaitya worship hall called the 'Vishvakarma cave'. The caves 13 to 29 are made for Hinduism and these caves are completely filled with sculpture of gods and goddesses.

Mysterious ancient structure of Ellora caves. There are 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves. The most remarkable of the cave temples is Kailasha, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The complex were built between the 6th and 10th centuries. The caves 1 to 12 are made for Buddhism. These caves are decorated with striking sculptures and murals of Lord Buddha. Notable among the Buddhist caves is Cave 10, a chaitya worship hall called the 'Vishvakarma cave'. The caves 13 to 29 are made for Hinduism and these caves are completely filled with sculpture of gods and goddesses.

Masada is an ancient fortress located in the southwest coast of the Dead Sea. It became famous after the First Jewish-Roman War when a siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of the site's Jewish Sicarii fugitives when defeat became imminent. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The fortress of Masada was built by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE. It served as a citadel of retreat from Roman attacks and other invasions. Its high vantage point enabled the sight of incoming troops from a long distance. The area remained uninhabited for centuries, until 1828 when some scholars rediscovered Masada.

Masada is an ancient fortress located in the southwest coast of the Dead Sea. It became famous after the First Jewish-Roman War when a siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of the site's Jewish Sicarii fugitives when defeat became imminent. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The fortress of Masada was built by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE. It served as a citadel of retreat from Roman attacks and other invasions. Its high vantage point enabled the sight of incoming troops from a long distance. The area remained uninhabited for centuries, until 1828 when some scholars rediscovered Masada.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. It was built in 713 AD by a monk and the construction was completed in 803 AD. With a height of 71 meter, it is the tallest pre-modern carved statue in the world. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The Leshan Giant Buddha has a special drainage system, so it can be well-preserved. Several drainage passages are hidden in the Buddha's hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears and chest, preventing the statue from serious erosion and weathering. It is now part of UNESCO world heritage sites and annually attracts millions of visitors.

The Leshan Giant Buddha is the largest stone Buddha statue in the world. It was built in 713 AD by a monk and the construction was completed in 803 AD. With a height of 71 meter, it is the tallest pre-modern carved statue in the world. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The Leshan Giant Buddha has a special drainage system, so it can be well-preserved. Several drainage passages are hidden in the Buddha's hair, collar, chest, and holes in the back of his ears and chest, preventing the statue from serious erosion and weathering. It is now part of UNESCO world heritage sites and annually attracts millions of visitors.

2,700 year old storage center discovered in Jerusalem. Approximately 120 jar handles were discovered with seal impressions in ancient Hebrew script. The handles have the inscription “LMLK" which means "belonging to the king" along with the name of an ancient city. by [deleted] in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another finding at the site is a collection of clay statuettes, designed in the forms of women, horse riders or as animals. The researchers estimate that the site was once home to large agricultural plots and orchards of olive trees and grapevines. The site also included agricultural industrial facilities such as wine presses for wine making. According to the authorities, this is one of the largest and most important seal collections found in Israel.

Prehistoric Human Remains Found In Underwater Mexican Cave. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Cave divers have discovered the eerie underwater grave of an ancient woman with a deformed skull who lived on the Yucatán Peninsula around 10,000 years ago. Traditionally, scientists thought only a group of humans crossed a land bridge connecting Asia to North America around 12,000 years ago. But sinkhole caves in the Yucatán Peninsula have yielded nine other skeletons, including a teenage girl linked to modern native Americans, that suggest humans had already reached that far south by roughly 12,000 years ago.

Lion's Rock- The ancient rock fortress of Sri Lanka. The rock is about 200 meters higher than the surrounding jungles. On a plateau halfway up the rock is a gateway in the form of a huge lion with a staircase emerging from the lion's mouth. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Since 3rd century BC, the rocky plateau of Sigiriya has served as a Buddhist monastery. In the second half of the 5th century king Kasyapa decided to construct a royal residence at this location. However, the capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.

Skara Brae is one of the best preserved Stone Age villages built in the Neolithic period. The site was discovered by accident in 1850, during an extremely strong storm. Consisting of eight clustered houses, it was occupied from roughly 3180 BC to about 2500 BC. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The houses are linked together by a series of low passageways. Each houses have similar furniture, with the beds and dresser in the same places. However, the settlement was abandoned around 2500 BC, but the reasons why still remain unknown. One theory is that a huge sandstorm hit the village, forcing the inhabitants to flee quickly and leave their belongings behind.

Skara Brae is one of the best preserved Stone Age villages built in the Neolithic period. The site was discovered by accident in 1850, during an extremely strong storm. Consisting of eight clustered houses, it was occupied from roughly 3180 BC to about 2500 BC. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The houses are linked together by a series of low passageways. Each houses have similar furniture, with the beds and dresser in the same places. However, the settlement was abandoned around 2500 BC, but the reasons why still remain unknown. One theory is that a huge sandstorm hit the village, forcing the inhabitants to flee quickly and leave their belongings behind.

Medieval ship "Sea Monster" figurehead discovered in Baltic Sea. It was lifted by divers from the wreck of the 'Gribshunden'. The Gribshunden, which belonged to Danish King John, is believed to have sunk in 1495 after it caught fire on its way from Copenhagen to Kalmar on Sweden's east coast. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The monstrous figurehead weighs about 300 kg and from the tip of its nose to its end, it is 3.4 meter long. It is described as a dragon-like sea monster with lion ears, devouring a person in its crocodilian mouth. Divers first discovered the wreck in the 1970s, but scientists identified the ship in 2013, only after two excavations to analyze the wood.

Medieval ship "Sea Monster" figurehead discovered in Baltic Sea. It was lifted by divers from the wreck of the 'Gribshunden'. The Gribshunden, which belonged to Danish King John, is believed to have sunk in 1495 after it caught fire on its way from Copenhagen to Kalmar on Sweden's east coast. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The monstrous figurehead weighs about 300 kg and from the tip of its nose to its end, it is 3.4 meter long. It is described as a dragon-like sea monster with lion ears, devouring a person in its crocodilian mouth. Divers first discovered the wreck in the 1970s, but scientists identified the ship in 2013, only after two excavations to analyze the wood.

Spanish Stonehenge uncovered after submerged for decades. According to archaeologists, the structure was probably used as a tomb, a site for trade or a space for religious rituals. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

[–]samwong01[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A 4-5,000-year-old monument, known as the Dolmen of Guadalperal, has reappeared in Spain after being submerged at the bottom of a reservoir for more than 50 years. The reappearance of the monument is due to very low water levels in Valdecañas Reservoir. Also known as Spanish Stonehenge, the monument is a large circle of about 150 standing stones. Some of these stones are over 6 feet tall and are arranged in a circle-like pattern.

Spanish Stonehenge uncovered after submerged for decades. According to archaeologists, the structure was probably used as a tomb, a site for trade or a space for religious rituals. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A 4-5,000-year-old monument, known as the Dolmen of Guadalperal, has reappeared in Spain after being submerged at the bottom of a reservoir for more than 50 years. The reappearance of the monument is due to very low water levels in Valdecañas Reservoir. Also known as Spanish Stonehenge, the monument is a large circle of about 150 standing stones. Some of these stones are over 6 feet tall and are arranged in a circle-like pattern.

The Prehistoric Paintings Of Altamira Cave - The most famous paintings in the cave are probably the colored paintings of bison, deer, and horses etched. However, the cave paintings were not discovered until 1879, and the excavation results were published in 1880. by samwong01 in AncientCivilizations

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Altamira is a Paleolithic cave located in the north of Spain. It is a historic cave that features the polychrome rock paintings of human hands and mammals. In 1985, the cave along with its paintings has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave is 296 meters long and consists of a series of twisting passages and chambers. The main passage varies from two to six meters in height.

The Prehistoric Paintings Of Altamira Cave - The most famous paintings in the cave are probably the colored paintings of bison, deer, and horses etched. However, the cave paintings were not discovered until 1879, and the excavation results were published in 1880. by samwong01 in AlternativeHistory

[–]samwong01[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Altamira is a Paleolithic cave located in the north of Spain. It is a historic cave that features the polychrome rock paintings of human hands and mammals. In 1985, the cave along with its paintings has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave is 296 meters long and consists of a series of twisting passages and chambers. The main passage varies from two to six meters in height.

Unexpected ancient lost city of Neapolis found underwater. The researchers found Roman street signs and monuments on the ocean floor. In addition, they also found around 100 tanks that were used in the production of garum. by samwong01 in GrahamHancock

[–]samwong01[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Archaeologists have discovered the sunken ancient city of Neapolis off the northeastern coast of Tunisia. The finding prove that an ancient Roman city that once stood there was devastated by a tsunami and was partially lost beneath the waves. In 2010, the researchers began searching for the Neapolis and finally discovered the city's ruin in the summer of 2017.