The 16 most beautiful archaeological sites around the world

Discover the ancient times, through the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world.

The civilizations of our world are ancient and have left traces of their passages. Today it is possible to visit them, to imbue them and to discover their secrets. It is always very impressive to visit an archaeological site. Inside, it is impossible not to wonder what the daily life of these people looked like, or what they had to endure to raise their people to the rank of civilization... It also allows you to refocus, relativize and learn a lot about yourself and the other. Discover the 17 most beautiful archaeological sites in the world, in the conquest of lost arches, temples and other crystal skulls.

Play adventurers, put your hat, take your sun cream, and explore the ancient times!

Europe

1. Stonehenge, England

Dating from the Bronze Age, Stonehenge is probably the most famous and mysterious archaeological site in England. Indeed, it is impossible to understand what led the natives of the time to erect such a monument of stones. If human bones have been found on the border, it is not known whether it is a sun worship, a funeral monument or an astronomical observatory. You have to go there to make a review.

2. The Colosseum, Italy

The Colosseum is located in the center of Rome the Italian capital. This immense amphitheatre was built in 70 AD, and was then a real exploit of the Roman Empire. Its dimensions are impressive: it could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators. Today in the state of ruins, it was used mainly during the antiquity for the battles of gladiators and great shows of the time.

3. Mycenes, Peloponnese, Greece

Visiting an ancient pre-hellénic site in a state of extraordinary conservation, does it tell you? Discover Mycenes, a former gold-rich city dating from 1500 BC! Spend the Porte des Lionnes, see the Treasure of Atrée, and immerse yourself in an ancient atmosphere, where the daily life of the Mycenean population...

In North and South America

4. Machu PicchuPeru

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In 1911, it was rediscovered incredibly well preserved in its natural and intact setting. Known as one of the 7 new wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is now one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world.

5. Teotihuacán, Mexico

Teotihuacán is a wonderful site, about 50 kilometers away Mexico . According to the specialists, and even if they do not agree on the authors of the construction, the city of the Gods would have been erected about 200 years before our era. It was one of the most important of its time, its size and its remains testify. Today, you can discover the extent of the site and lower yourself in front of the impressive Pyramid of the Sun. We advise you to go there early in the morning, from the opening (7h00) to avoid the many tourist groups.

6. Cliff Palace, United States

Built on the cliff, Cliff Palace is a huge building in ruins of the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado State. Between the end of the 10th century and 1260, it was between 150 and 200 rooms and 20 kivas that were built there. The kivas are round pieces, often with a religious ceremonial goal. We suspect two tribes of civilization of Anasazis having lived there and having abandoned the place around 1300.

7. Easter Island, Chile

Here is one of the world’s best known archaeological sites. Easter Island is an island off Chile, isolated. Yet, an ancient civilization found it and conquered it, between the Second and seventh centuries: the pascuanes. No certainty about her origin, history or why she turned out. Nevertheless, we are sure that this civilization has erected, over the decades, these huge men or stone heads, present throughout the island, the Moai. Symbols of a whole civilization, they are also the only vestiges of it.

In Asia

8. Cappadoce, Turkey

Cappadoce is a region of eastern Turkey, on the Asia Minor side. In the heart of some valleys of the region, it is possible to observe an impressive rock formation: fairy chimneys. But the most extraordinary is in the Devrent Valley. Some chimneys have windows reminding that the places were frequented by anachoret communities from the 4th century...

9. The temples of Angkor, Cambodia

A true pride of the Cambodian people, the temple of Angkor is in Siem Reap. It is a high tourist place but also one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world. We must know that the very first stones of the site were dated to 1800 years before our era. The temples we see today will be built a little later, around the year 900. Immense, the religious complex still allows the premises to gather in some buildings.

10. Bagan, Burma

What is interesting to see in Bagan is Buddhist temples. Overall very old, some still date back to the 11th century! Many influences come into play in their construction, which took place over several centuries. The area to be explored extends over nearly fifty square kilometers where are scattered around 2800 temples, some of them in ruins!

11. Sigirîya, Sri Lanka

The fortress at the top of the famous “Rocher du Lion” is at the height of its incredible story! It would have been built in the 5th century in fear of family retaliation, with the will to see danger poinding. An atypical construction that is worth a thousand times the detour, for the beauty of the places, terraces and walls, as well as the breathtaking view. With a height of 370 meters, you will discover a breathtaking view of the jungle, its surroundings and the horizon.

In the Near and Middle East

12. PetrJordan

Neabatéan gem, Petra is a city with surprising architecture. It is during Antiquity that the city sees the day, towards the end of the 8th century BC. The particular geology of the place has pushed its inhabitants to dig monuments to the same stone. This makes it one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world.

Nowadays, you can visit temples, tombs whose facade is cut into the pink sandstone. Beautiful and atypical, the Khazneh is probably the most famous building of all.

13. Gizeh pyramids, Egypt

The Gizeh pyramids are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world, to be seen absolutely. Very fantasized in fiction, sometimes even among the researchers, they came out of earth more than 4000 years ago. The three most famous Gizeh pyramids are those of Khéops, Khéphren and Mykérinos. Funeral temples, you can now visit these masterpieces of Ancient Egypt.

In Africa

14. Volubilis, Morocco

The archaeological site of Volubilis is located north of Meknes. These are the ruins of an ancient Roman city, built in the third century before our era. Trade is what constituted its economic wealth before gradually deperating, until it fell into ruins. Today, there are very beautiful mosaics, columns or stone walls, witnesses of a prosperous time.

15. Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

In the heart of southern Africa there are enormous ruins, those of an ancient medieval city. It would have been erected between the 13th and 15th centuries. These ruins are the witnesses of a rich civilization: indeed, pearls, porcelain, gold and copper were found there. For this, they have been sacked, but are now protected. Despite this, it is possible to visit them, although they do not enjoy the same tourist lighting as other places in the country.

In Oceania

16. Nan Madol, Micronesia

Quite surprising, this micronesian archaeological site is actually a small city dating back to the 16th century. He would have been the home of a powerful local dynasty, the Sandeleur . The site is composed of thousands of blocks of basaltic stones, sometimes placed in a singular way. He continues to fascinate specialists who have not yet found how to explain the origin and decline of Nan Madol. Nevertheless, the place is fascinating and the legends around it maintain the mystery...

This is how our tour of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the world ends. Inspiring and fascinating sites. What archaeological site did you marvel?