Interesting technical structures of the ancient world. The oldest buildings in Russia. Baalbek Plates, Lebanon
Machu Picchuknown as lost city Incas. Machu- Picchu is located at an altitude of 2430 meters above sea level in the mountains of Peru.It was built by order of the Inca Emperor Pachacuti in 1450. But it was abandoned after the Spanish invasion of the lands of the Inca Empire in the 16th century, after which it was abandoned and forgotten. Wrediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hyrum Bingham.
Considering this outstanding cultural value, UNESCO, recognized Machu Picchu as a site world heritage. The ruins of Machu Picchu contain temples, palaces, storehouses, baths, and other stone structures.All the buildings on the site were carved from gray granite.The building blocks used to build Machu Picchu structures weigh up to 50 tons.
The Temple of the Sun is one of the most important buildings in Machu Picchu, it was of great spiritual importance for the Incas, it is worth paying attention toan altar inside the temple.There is also a royal mausoleum located under the Temple of the Sun.
The Colosseum in Rome is the largest amphitheater in the world, located in the Roman Forum, in Italy.He is regarded as greatest achievement Roman architecture. Coliseumwas built between 70 AD. and 80 AD, by the Roman emperor Vespasian.
The Colosseum was mainly used for public spectacles and gladiator fights. Heaccommodated over 50,000 people.The Romans used this amphitheater for entertainment for 390 years.The Colosseum was abandoned in the 10th century AD and badly damaged by major earthquakes in 847 and 1231. Today it is a World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy.
The Colosseum had four floors and 80 entrances in total.The arches of the second and third floors of the amphitheater are decorated with statues.Most of the interior details of the Colosseum were made of wood.
The Acropolis contains a number of monuments that are of great architectural and cultural value.In the 5th century BC, after the victory over the Persians, the great Greek statesman Pericles presented the idea of transforming the rocky hill in Athens into a monument of art.Later, a group of exclusively Greek architects built several important monuments, including the Parthenon.In 1987, the Acropolis of Athens became a World Heritage Site.
The Parthenon and other important monuments in the Acropolis were badly damaged by the Venetian attack in 1687, the Parthenon is the most important temple among the buildings of the Acropolis in Athens.It was built in 447 BC. The temple is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.It is the most important surviving building of Greek culture. The Erechtheion is another temple located on north side Acropolis. It was built between 421 BC. and 406 BC and designed by the Athenian architect Mnesicles. The Erechtheion is dedicated to Athena and Poseidon.
Petra is an ancient city,located between dead sea and the Red Sea in Jordan.The city is also known as pink city" from-for the red-pink sandstone from which it was built.The city was founded in 312 BC. Nabataeans, the ancient inhabitants of Northern Arabia.Petra was hidden from the world until 1812, when it was rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
Petra is half built and half carved into the rock and contains tombs, canals, tunnels, dams and temples. The remains of Petra contains over 800 monuments, tombs, temples, arched gates and temples. Attractions are the three main royal tombs, which are carved into the rock.
Borobudur Temple is an important Mahayana Buddhist temple located in central Java, Indonesia. Borobudur was built between the 8th and 9th centuries and took 75 long years to complete. This is the biggest Buddhist temple in the world. Remained hidden from the outside world for many centuries under volcanic ash. The restoration of the Borobudur temple began between 1975 and 1982.
The first level of the temple is formed by five massive terraces.Above this level, there are three circular platforms that are adorned with thousands of panels and hundreds of Buddha statues.The main dome is located on the upper level of the temple surrounded by 72 Buddha statues.Stone reliefs on the second level of the temple illustrate various periods in the life of the Buddha.
Volubilis is the largest Roman building extant in Morocco.Volubilis has been inhabited for over a thousand years, and abandoned at 11- m century. Bad for himearthquake in the 18th century. Extensive excavations at the site of this city were started in the 19th century by the French, and in 1997, UNESCO listed Volubilis as a World Heritage Site.
The ancient city covers an area of more than 12 hectares, bMost of the building was built using blue-grey granite.These buildings are also known for their large mosaic floors.The Capitoline Temple and Basilica are the highlights of this interesting place. also in Volubilisa should pay attention to Arc de Triomphe, which was built back in 217 in honor of the Roman emperor Caracalla.
7. Palenque, Mexico
Palenque is considered the most impressive Mayan building in Mexico. Palenque is surrounded by dense forests, waterfalls and mountains.It represents the elegance of architecture and creativity of the Maya civilization. Mayan templesin Palenque are known for their architectural style and beautiful sculptures. This ancient citywas built between 226 BC and 799 AD At the end of the 10th century, the Maya left the city.The total area of this important historical place 1780 ha.It is estimated that only 10 percent of Palenque has been restored, and most of still covered with dense forest.
Tikal is an ancient Mayan city located in northern Guatemala. Tikal is the main tourist attraction of Guatemala, its ruins are located among the jungle with total area over 200 sq. km. Buildings of this ancient citydates back to 1000 BC. and 300 BC. It was abandoned in the 9th century and rediscovered in 1840.
The ruins have a number of temples, small pyramids, residences, monuments and palaces of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.Most of the buildings were built using limestone.There are also tombs of the rulers of the Mayan civilization, reservoirs and prisons made of wood.
The historic city of Ayutthaya was built by King Ramathinodi I in 1350. Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese kingdom. GThe city was destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767, and the city was rebuilt by the King of Mongkut between 1854 and 1868.
Ayutthaya's buildings reflect confluence architectural styles India, Japan, China, Persia and Europe.These buildings are also decorated with high quality wall paintings.
Palmyra ancient Aramaic city,located in the middle of the desert in an oasis in the central partSyria. Important events passed through the city in ancient times. caravan routes from Asia to Europe. Palmyrawas abandoned at 16 m century, and re-opened at 17- m century. Today it is one of the most important tourist attractions in Syria and a real historical world heritage.
The artistic and architectural remains of Palmyra are a fusion of styles from different civilizations.The most important building in Palmyra is big temple known as Baal.It is regarded as the most important religious monument of the 1st century AD in the Middle East.Only a small part of this temple remains intact today.The Great Colonnade is another important landmark of Palmyra,built in several stages between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. There is also an impressive Roman theatre, originally with twelve rows of seats made of wood.
The most famous stone historical and archaeological monuments created by man include the pyramids of Giza, Stonehenge, dolmens, idols of Easter Island and stone balls Costa Rica.
Today I want to bring to your attention a selection of not so famous, but no less interesting stone historical and archaeological structures of antiquity.
Valley of pitchers in Laos
The Valley of Pitchers is a group of unique sites that contain unusual historical and archaeological monuments - huge stone jugs. These mysterious objects are located in the province of Xiangkhouang, in Laos. Thousands of gigantic stone vessels are scattered among the dense tropical flora. The size of the jars ranges from 0.5 to 3 meters, and the weight of the largest reaches 6,000 kg. Most giant stone pots are cylindrical, but oval and rectangular jugs are also found. Round discs were found next to unusual vessels, which were supposedly used as lids for them. These pots were made from granite, sandstone, rock and calcined coral. Scientists suggest that the age of stone bowls is 1500 - 2000 years.
The territory of the valley includes more than 60 sites on which groups of gigantic vessels are located. All sites are stretched along one line, which may be evidence that there used to be an ancient trade route here, which was served by platforms with jugs. The city of Phonsavan is concentrated the largest number jugs, this place is called the “First platform”, on which there are about 250 vessels of various sizes.
There are a huge number of theories and assumptions regarding who and for what purposes such peculiar vessels were created. According to scientists, these jugs were used by an ancient people living in southeast Asia, whose culture and customs are still unknown. Historians and anthropologists suggest that the huge jars could have been funerary urns and were used in funeral rituals. There is a version that food was stored in them, another version says that rainwater was collected in the vessels, which was used by trade caravans. Lao legends say that these gigantic jugs were used as ordinary dishes by the giants who lived here in ancient times. Well, the version of local residents says that rice wine was made and stored in megalith jars. No matter how many versions and theories are put forward, the Valley of Pitchers undoubtedly remains an unsolved mystery.
National Historical and Archaeological Reserve "Stone Grave"
Historical and archaeological reserve "Stone Grave", which is located near the city of Melitopol on the banks of the Molochnaya River and is a world monument ancient culture in Ukraine. These are the remains of the sandstone of the Sarmatian Sea, due to natural transformations, a unique stone monolith gradually formed on this place, in which caves and grottoes were formed for thousands of years, which ancient people used for religious purposes. Rock paintings and stone tablets with ancient inscriptions, mysterious signs and images dating back to the 22nd - 16th millennium BC have survived to this day.
The stone grave is located 2 km from the village of Mirnoye, Melitopol district, Zaporozhye region, and is a heap of stones with an area of about 30,000 square meters. meters, up to 12 meters high. The heap in shape resembles a barrow (Ukrainian grave), hence its name comes from. The stone grave at first was probably a sandstone shoal of the Sarmatian Sea, the only sandstone outcrop in the entire Azov-Black Sea basin, which makes it a unique geological formation.
Neither in the Stone Grave itself, nor in the immediate vicinity of it, human settlements have been found that can be associated with the monument. Based on this, the researchers conclude that the stone grave was used exclusively for religious purposes, as a sanctuary
Arkaim
Arkaim is a fortified settlement of the Middle Bronze Age at the turn of III-II millennium BC. e., related to the so-called. "Land of Cities". Located on an elevated cape formed by the confluence of the Bolshaya Karaganka and Utyaganka rivers, 8 km north of the village of Amursky, Bredinsky district and 2 km southeast of the village of Aleksandrovsky, Kizilsky district Chelyabinsk region. The settlement and the territory adjacent to it with a whole complex of archeological monuments of different times is a natural-landscape and historical-archaeological reserve - a branch of the Ilmensky State Reserve named after V.I. Lenin, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The monument is uniquely preserved defensive structures, the presence of synchronous burial grounds and the integrity of the historical landscape.
In the summer of 1987, archaeologists of the Chelyabinsk state university carried out routine surveys of archaeological sites in the Bolshekaraganskaya valley, in the southwest of the Chelyabinsk region. The valley was supposed to be flooded in order to arrange an extensive reservoir there for neighboring state farms. The builders were in a hurry, and archaeologists hastily compiled a map of ancient monuments for posterity, never to return here again. But the attention of the researchers was attracted by the ramparts, which, as it turned out, surrounded the settlement of an unusual type - they had not been found before in the steppe zone. During the study, it turned out that the monument was a village created according to a pre-thought-out plan, with a clear urban planning idea, complex architecture and fortification.
Over the next few years, 20 more such settlements were discovered, which made it possible to talk about the discovery of an interesting ancient culture, which received the conditional name “Country of Cities”.
In science, this archaeological culture is called Arkaim-Sintashta. The significance of the discovery of Arkaim and other fortified settlements of this type is indisputable, as it gave completely new data on the migration routes of the Indo-Europeans and made it possible to prove that a fairly highly developed culture existed in the South Ural steppes 4 thousand years ago. Arkaim people were engaged in metallurgy and metalworking, weaving, and pottery. The basis of their economy was cattle breeding.
The fortified settlements of the Arkaim-Sintashta culture date back to the turn of the 3rd-2nd millennium BC. They are five or six centuries older than Homeric Troy, contemporaries of the first dynasty of Babylon, the pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt and the Cretan-Mycenaean culture of the Mediterranean. The time of their existence corresponds to the last centuries famous civilization India - Mahenjo-Daro and Harappa.
Stone monuments in the Ulytau mountains
Archaeologists have discovered groups of stone sculptures and rock paintings with images of sabers, daggers, dishes and much more.
Particularly unique are stone statues - balbals, which were placed in front of stone statues batyrs, commanders put a string of balbals. Sometimes their number reaches 200.
Along with male statues, female ones were also installed. Depending on the age of the person, they are called “stone girl”, “stone woman”, “stone old woman”. That is why there is another, Slavic name for balbals - stone women.
Archaeological site of Gunung Padang
The sacred mountain of Gunung Padang is located in the Bandung region, West Java. The “Mountain of Light” (or “Mountain of Enlightenment”) is a mountain on the top and slope of which a main pyramid on the top.
The Dutch were the first to notice it in 1914. In their report, the Colonial Archaeological Survey referred to it as Mount Gunung Padang (Mount of Enlightenment), on top of which locals rise for meditation. For the second time, she flashed in 1949, after which she disappeared for exactly 30 years. Only in 1979 scientists - geographers and geologists - climbed to its top.
At the top of the mountain, they found hundreds of blocks of stone of the correct form, arranged in a certain order.
In addition to the obvious division of Mount Padang into five levels, megaliths scattered over the entire height of the mountain, over an area of 900 square meters, andesite columns, etc., studies have shown the presence of a hollow chamber. The size of the chamber is 10 m in width, height and length.
It is widely believed that it is located in the "heart of the Mountain".
The distance to the cavity is 25 meters from the turn. Soil samples taken by drilling indicate the age of the structure in the range from 20,000 to 22,000 BC.
Ancient stones of Great Britain
Men-En-Tol, Cornwall - mysterious stone, which, it would seem, has always been standing in the swamps of Penwit.
Callanish, located on the Isle of Lewis in the Greater Hebrides, is this moment the largest monument of megalithic culture british isles. The reconstructed form of the "Callanish stones" was established presumably during the Neolithic period, approximately between 2.9 and 2.6 thousand years BC. Experts note that earlier (until 3000 a sanctuary was located here).
Callanish is formed by thirteen vertically standing monuments or groups of stones, which form circles up to thirteen meters in diameter. Average Height stones is 4 meters, but can vary between 1-5 meters. The stones are cut from local gneiss. In terms of popularity, Callanish stones can compete with Stonehenge.
Avebury, Wittshire. Local farmers habitually herd sheep among the peers of Stonehenge, which date back to 2500 BC.
Brodgar Circle, Stromness, Orkney - British response to the pyramids of Egypt. The stone period dates back to 3000 BC. Only 27 out of 60 statues remain.
Rollite Stones, Oxfordshire.
Bryn Selley, Anglesey, Wales. Wales is rich in ancient placers of stones, but the most famous pagan building is, of course, Bryn Seli (“The Mound of the Dark Room”). On the island of Anglesey, he appeared in the Neolithic period (4000 years ago).
Arbor Low, Middleton upon Yolgreave, Derbyshire. 50 stones stand silently on Arbor Low, a short drive from Bakewell.
Castlerigg, Keswick, Lake District
Nine Stones, Dartmoor.
Megaliths of the Urals
Vera Island on Lake Turgoyak.
Megaliths of Vera Island - a complex of archaeological monuments (megaliths - a chamber tomb, dolmens and menhirs) on the island of Lake Turgoyak (near Miass) in the Chelyabinsk region. The island is located near the western shore of the lake and, at low water levels, is connected to the shore by an isthmus, turning into a peninsula.
The megaliths were presumably built about 6,000 years ago, in the 4th millennium BC. uh
Cult site Vera Island.
by the most big building the island is megalith No. 1 - a stone structure measuring 19 × 6 m, cut into the rocky ground and covered with massive stone slabs. The walls of the structure are made by dry laying of massive stone blocks. The megalith consists of three chambers and corridors connecting them. Rectangular pits carved into the rock were found in two chambers of the megalith. The connection of the building with the main astronomical directions was fixed. The building is preliminarily interpreted as a temple complex.
Architectural complex at the bottom Chinese lake Fuxian
The pyramid was found at the bottom of the Chinese lake Fuxian (southwestern province of Yunnan).
Its height is 19 m, the length of the side of the base is 90 m. The structure is built of stone slabs and has a stepped structure. At the bottom of the lake there are about a dozen more similar objects and about 30 structures of other types. Total area architectural complex is about 2.5 sq. km. Archaeologists raised an earthenware vessel from the bottom of the lake, which, according to experts, was made during the Eastern Han Dynasty, which ruled in 25-220 AD, Xinhua reports.
According to experts, architecture structures appeared long before our era. The ancient structures preserved on our planet are amazing, they amaze the imagination. Find out what are the most ancient buildings in the world. The buildings of the ancient world that have come down to us are completely different from the structures of modern architecture.
Who built the oldest buildings, for what purpose, and by what technology, how they survived to this day - all these questions arise when you see the buildings of the ancient world. Further more about the most interesting buildings of that period.
The Bugon Necropolis is the oldest surviving building
The oldest building in the world is located in the Bougon Necropolis, which was discovered in France on the banks of the Bougon River in the first half of the nineteenth century. Extensive excavations were carried out there in the late sixties of the last century. The necropolis consists of five megalithic burial mounds dating back to the Neolithic era. As a result of the excavations, it turned out that the oldest building of this complex was built in 4800 BC. e.
Skara Brae - the remains of the oldest settlement in Scotland
Ten houses built in what is now Scotland in 2500 B.C. e. are the oldest structures in Europe. This settlement is called Skara Brae. It is located on the islands. All houses are perfectly preserved, thanks to which scientists have found out how ancient people lived. According to the researchers, the dwellings were well equipped - they had water supply, heating, covered passages.
Greater Zimbabwe one of the oldest structures on earth
IN South Africa Great Zimbabwe is considered the oldest and at the same time the largest building. This building appeared in the eleventh century, its population was at least eighteen thousand people. Scientists do not know why Great Zimbabwe was abandoned in the fifteenth century. The height of the ancient ruins reaches eleven meters. All structures were erected using the dry masonry method - granite slabs are laid in rows. This is surprising, since the standard material of Africa of that period was wood and clay.
The Pyramid of Djosser at Sakar is the oldest of Egyptian pyramids
In two thousand six hundred and fifty BC. e. In Egypt, the pyramid of Djoser was built by the architect Imhotep. As you know, this is the most old pyramid in Egypt and one of the oldest buildings in the world. Its height is sixty-two meters.
Mamertine Dungeon - one of the oldest prisons
The Mamertine dungeon was erected in Rome not far from capitol hill even before n. e. in the year five hundred and seventy-eight. Criminals were kept there, and many of them were innocent. It was in this prison that Saints Peter and Paul ended their lives.
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut famous building ancient world
work ancient architecture, in excellent condition that has survived to this day, is the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. He is in Egypt. The year of construction is not known for certain, presumably 1473 BC. e. Even now we can say that the architect who created the temple is a genius.
There were no skyscrapers in the ancient world, but tall buildings were. Some of them were built in order to perpetuate the glory of the ruler; scientists still argue about the appointment of others.
"Public Hill"
Height: up to 9 m
Construction time: 9,000 BC
Place: 15 kilometers northeast of the city of Urfa (Sanliurfa), Turkey
“Göbekli Tepe” is the name of this place in Turkish. The oldest and unique temple for its time, the construction of which began in the Middle Stone Age. About twenty round buildings, stone benches, sculptures of wild boars and foxes, columns from 3 to 9 meters high. A thousand years later, it was deliberately covered with sand. Huge heavy blocks were within the power to build an already organized society.
Jericho tower
Height: 8 m
Construction time: 8000 BC
Place: Jericho, Palestine
Huge for its time tower in the Jericho wall. Jericho is the oldest city on earth. It has been continuously inhabited since almost the 10th millennium BC. BC, although the earliest settlement was more of a large village. The purpose of the tower is not entirely clear. It could be used for intimidation and represent the first castle in history.
The Pyramid of Cheops
Height: 146 m
Construction time: from 2540 BC before 2850 BC according to various estimates
Place: El Giza, Egypt
The Pyramid of Cheops (the full name of the pharaoh is Khnum-Khufu) is the only surviving one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its full name is Akhet-Khufu ("Horizon of Khufu"). It was built on a hill and faced with white limestone, shining peach in the sun. The top was crowned with a gilded stone - a pyramidion. The entrance was sealed with a large granite slab, which the Baghdad caliph Abdullah al-Mamun could not move, who made a new entrance, through which the path to the pyramid is still open today.
Nurag Su-Nuraxi
Height: about 20 m.
Construction time: 17th century BC
Place: commune of Barumini, about. Sardinia, Italy.
Nuraghi are megalithic towers found on the island of Sardinia, built in the 2nd millennium BC. e. Their number throughout the island reached 20,000. The towers could serve as an overview of the surroundings, defense and control over trade routes. At this time, Sardinia, according to ancient legends, could be inhabited by the tribes of Corses, Iolai and Balars. Which of these tribes built the towers is unknown. The builders could also be the "peoples of the sea", who more than once attacked the Egyptian kingdom.
The largest known nuraghe is Su-Nuraksi, whose height could reach 20 meters. The building had no foundation and was supported only by the mass of stones at the base. A fortified settlement was located next to it - about 50 round huts, which were a single complex.
Babylonian ziggurat Etemenanki
Height: 91 m
Construction time: 18th century BC, reconstruction in the 7th century BC
Place: outskirts of Al-Hilla city, Iraq
Translated from Sumerian, Etemenanki means “the house of the foundation of heaven and earth” or “the house where the heavens meet the earth.” It is this ziggurat that is most often associated with the legend of tower of babel. It already existed in the 18th century BC. during the reign of Hammurabi, but after that the temple tower was rebuilt several times after the destruction.
The latest reconstruction made the tower one of the tallest and grandest buildings of the ancient world. The ziggurat consisted of 7 tiers, on the last of which the temple was located. The construction was started by the architect Aradaheshshu during the reign of Esarhaddon, and the ziggurat was completed under Nebuchadnezzar II, 100 years later.
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus
Height: 46 m
Construction time: 359-353 B.C. e.
Place: Bodrum, Turkey
The first "mausoleum" and "wonder of the world". It is named after the Carian king Mausolus. In honor of him, this tombstone was built by his wife Artemisia III of Caria. The mausoleum was crowned with about 330 statues, and it had the shape of an almost regular square in plan, which was atypical for Greek architecture. It stood for one and a half thousand years and was destroyed during an earthquake.
The Colossus of Rhodes
Height: 36 m
Construction time: 292 - 280 BC e.
Place: Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes in ancient times was a large and rich city. Therefore, he could afford to live in the literal sense "in a big way." huge statue Helios, only a few could grasp the thumb, was built by the ancient Greek architect Chares. The lack of money allocated for the construction forced him to get into heavy debts, and, ruined, he committed suicide.
The statue took 500 talents of bronze and 300 talents of iron (more than 20 tons). The colossus stood for only 65 years. After the earthquake, the clay statue covered with iron and bronze fell, and lay in a broken form for about a thousand years, until the Arabs sold its parts.
faros lighthouse
Height: 135 m
Construction time: 3rd century BC e.
Place: Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandrian lighthouse in just 5 years it was built by Sotrates of Cnidus on the island of Pharos near Alexandria. It consisted of three marble towers: rectangular, octagonal and cylindrical. After its construction under the first Ptolemies, Egypt truly became a country of giant buildings. The light from the lighthouse was visible at a distance of more than 50 kilometers. Survived two earthquakes in the 7th and 14th centuries, after which it was finally destroyed. On the remains of the lighthouse, the Mamluk Sultan erected a fortress in his honor.
Coliseum
Height: 50 m
Construction time: 80 AD e.
Place: Rome, Italy
Colosseum comes from the Latin word colossus- "huge". According to one version, the name arose as a tribute to the memory of the Colossus of Nero located on this site - a huge (37 m) statue that crowned the complex of the Golden House - the emperor's palace. Vespasian decided to get rid of the old cult and strengthen his own. About 100,000 prisoners brought to Rome took part in the grandiose construction. Due to an earthquake in the 14th century, it collapsed South part, after which the Colosseum became a source of building materials for other buildings in Rome.
Stupa of Kanishka
Height: from 128 to 168 m according to various estimates
Construction time: 2nd century AD
Place: near Peshawar, Pakistan
The Kushan kingdom, founded by immigrants from China - the Eastern Sarmatians (Yuezhi), became the "golden mean" of the ancient world both directly (in terms of wealth) and in figuratively. Greco-Buddhism, an oriental religion saturated with Hellenistic culture, became widespread in it.
According to the description of Chinese travelers, the stupa built in honor of the Kushan king exceeded 400 chi (128 m) in height, there were gold and silver umbrellas at the top, and the relics of the Buddha inside. Size data vary, but the stupa could be equal to or exceed the height of the pyramid of Cheops. There are many Buddhist legends and predictions associated with the stupa. It was destroyed by Muslim conquerors in the Middle Ages and has not survived to the present day.
Aksumite obelisk
Height: 24 m
Construction time: 4th century AD
Place: Aksum, Ethiopia
The construction of the Aksumite kingdom, the most influential in Black Africa, which has survived to our time, weighs 160 tons. Decorated on all sides with false windows and doors. Similar obelisks were erected by pagans, but this obelisk was erected in honor of King Ezana, who spread Christianity in Ethiopia. In 1937, it was actually assembled in parts and rebuilt.
Pyramid in Cholula
Height: 66 m
Construction time: 3rd century BC – XI century AD
Place: Cholula de Rivadabiya, Mexico
tallest building Ancient America and the largest pyramid in the world. Built in ancient Teotiukan. The temple dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl was built over 12 centuries by the pre-Aztec culture until it became the largest religious center. Today it is a tetrahedral overgrown hill, a small part of which has been recreated in its original appearance.
As you know, in the list of the most famous ancient sights ancient culture There are only seven miracles. But we mustered up the courage to include three more structures that we think are worthy of your attention. So.
Ajanta or the 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, India. It was discovered in 1839. It is a rock in the shape of a horseshoe, in which, starting from the II century BC. e. to the 5th century AD e. 30 (according to other sources 29) caves were carved with columns, Buddha statues and world-famous wall paintings reflecting the life of India of that era. 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 - ancient building from huge blocks of stone, one of the largest and oldest corridor tombs, built by man between about 3000 BC. e. - 2500 BC e. (older Great Pyramid at Giza and probably Stonehenge). Located 40.2 km north of the city of Dublin, about one kilometer north of the River Boyne, County Meath, Ireland. The mound is 13.5 meters high and 85 meters in diameter. Ancient people erected it from 200,000 tons of stone, wood and earth. It is a large round mound inside, which is a 19-meter stone corridor leading to the burial chamber. Included in the list of the most mysterious sights of 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. For centuries, people have been hiding here from nomadic raids, religious persecution and other dangers. Although the underground city of Derinkuyu was intended as a temporary shelter, its scale is impressive. It includes numerous wine cellars, stables, cellars, storerooms, refectories, chapels, numerous ventilation ducts, and a complex network of tunnels and corridors.
7 wonders of the ancient world
Lighthouse of Alexandria - a lighthouse built according to the project of the architect Sostratus of Cnidus approximately in 279-280. BC e. on the island of Pharos, near Alexandria in Egypt, so that the ships could safely pass the reefs on their way to the bay of Alexandria. 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 lighthouse of Alexandria was about 115–120 meters high and at that time was the most tall building in the world. In the XIV century, it was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and in its place, by order of the then Sultan of Egypt, Qaitbey (1416/1418-1496), the Qait-Bey fortress was erected, which today is maritime museum.
Colossus of Rhodes - a bronze statue of the ancient Greek god of the Sun - Helios, built between 292 BC. e. - 280 BC e. in the harbor port city Rhodes on the island of the same name in the Aegean Sea in Greece. It was built according to the project of the architect Hares, a student of Lysippus, in honor of the victory of the inhabitants of Rhodes over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonus I One-eyed, 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. She 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. Approximately 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 King Mausolus of Caria and his wife-sister Artemisia III. Well-known masters were involved in the construction and decoration of the tomb, including the famous sculptors Skopas, Briaxides, Timofeos and Leohar. The tomb of Mausolus was a majestic and unusually shaped building, built of brick and lined inside and out with white marble. The mausoleum in Halicarnassus, 45 meters high, stood for about 19 centuries, but in the 13th century it collapsed from a strong earthquake.
Zeus statue in Olympia - ancient greek statue Zeus, which was located in the center of the temple of the same name in 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 a height of 12-13 meters and was made of wood (according to some sources, from cedar, according to others - from ebony). Details of ivory, gold and precious stones. The circumstances of the possible destruction of the statue are unknown. According to the Byzantine historian George Kedrin, it was transported to Constantinople, where it burned down in a fire in 476.
Temple of Artemis of Ephesus - a Greek temple located in the city of Ephesus, Asia Minor (not far from modern city Selcuk, Turkey). It was dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. The temple was built in the middle of the VI 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. During its entire 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 Amitis, is the only one of the seven wonders of the world whose location has not been definitively established. It is assumed that 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 Amitis, 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 land lay with a thick carpet, where seeds of various herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees from 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 among 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 west bank Nile in Egypt on the plateau at Giza, 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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