Looking at and studying ancient designs and architecture, we realize that human talent knows no bounds, and this holds both for the people of the past and those in our current times, especially when crafting impressive structures. These range from small yet stunning creations like hand-carved coins bearing the faces of past rulers to large-scale structures as vast as the Colosseum’s Basement in Rome.
Historical landmarks and artifacts inspire and fascinate people worldwide, even hundreds or thousands of years later. Thanks to Facebook groups such as ‘Ancient Wonders of Archaeology, Art History & Architecture,’ we can keep track of these captivating examples of ancient designs and architecture, some of which are elusive. That said, feel free to scroll down and see what we have in store for you!
01. This 18th Century Sculpture Called Disillusion, Which Includes An Intricate Net Carved From A Single Block Of Marble, Was Created By Francesco Queirolo Without Assistance Since No Apprentice Would Touch It For Fear Of The Delicate Net Crumbling In Their Hands. It Took Him Seven Years. Amazing
02. Colosseum’s Basement, Rome
03. Bazaar Of Kashan Is An Old Bazaar In The Center Of The City Of Kashan, Iran
It is thought to have been built in the Seljuk era with renovations during the Safavid period. The bazaar has an interesting spatial structure, especially at its Timche-ye Amin od-Dowleh section, where a grand light well was built in the 19th Century. The bazaar is still in use and is a few miles long. The bazaar’s complex has several mosques, tombs, caravanserais, arcades, baths, and water reservoirs, everything built in different periods.
As mentioned, A&D followers, human artistry, and talent know no bounds. I mean, take a look at a single Roman coin, minutely etched with the proud countenance of Caesar, surviving through centuries, roughened by time but with the essence of its creator’s craft still apparent. Just as a poet weaves stories through his words, ancient craftsmen told their tales through the etchings or masterpieces they built, allowing us to glimpse their world, society, and lives.
04. This 14th Century Door At Exeter Cathedral, UK, Is Thought To Be The Oldest Existing Cat Flap
A cat was paid a penny each week to keep down the rats and mice in the north tower, and a cat flap was cut into the door below the astronomical clock to allow the cat to carry out its duties.
Records of payments were entered in the Cathedral archives from 1305 to 1467, the penny a week being enough to buy food to supplement a heavy diet of rodents
05. Known For Their Building Skills, The Khmer Empire Created Many Structures Between The Ninth And Fifteenth Century
06. Embark On A Journey Through Time And Marvel At The Exquisite Renaissance Architecture Of The Royal Château Of Blois, Nestled In The Stunning Loire Valley Of France
This magnificent complex of buildings spans several centuries of construction, from the 13th to the 17th Century, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history of this storied region. You can also look into learning-history’s site to learn more about this place.
Moving on to larger structures, we could perhaps think of the labyrinthine layout of the Colosseum’s Basement in Rome, a marvel of engineering and a testament to the grandeur of the Roman Empire. Each of its complex designs and carvings exudes a feeling of seeing something grand, bearing the weight of countless gladiatorial fights and public spectacles.
07. The Hidden Treasure Of Bharat! Built 1000+ Years Ago In The Abhaneri Village Of Rajasthan. India 64 Ft Deep, 13 Floors, And Has 3,500 Narrow Steps Arranged In Perfect Symmetry! The Chand Baori Is One Of The Largest Stepwells In The World And Also One Of The Most Beautiful Ones
08. Petra, Jordan
09. The Grand Staircase At Palace Of Knossos (2200-1400 BC), Crete, Greece. It Is The Oldest Palatial Center In Europe
These artifacts and historical landmarks serve as remnants of the past and as bridges connecting the ancient and modern worlds. To this day, most of these landmarks tend to inspire contemporary designers and architects, allowing them to tap into the creative genius of their predecessors.
10. The World’s Oldest Underground Station, Baker Street, England. 160 Years Apart. Stunning!
11. The Column Of Marcus Aurelius, Located In Rome, Italy, Is A Remarkable Historical Monument That Depicts Various Battle Scenes And Narratives From The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ Military Campaigns. It Is Situated In The Piazza Colonna, Near The Palazzo Chigi
12. Collection Of Ancient Greek Silver Coins
13. Dracorex Hogwartsia: This Fossil Is Truly Amazing, Hard To Believe It Is Real
It looks very much like a dragon. This is the skull of Dracorex Hogwartsia, a dinosaur with an armored skull. Upper Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous
14. The Ancient Roman Theatre At Hierapolis. Denizli, Turkey
15. “Devil’s Bridge” In Ceredigion, Wales
16. Acropolis Of Athens
17. Intricately Carved Violin Of Domenico Galli, 1687
18. St Pancratius Skeleton In Armor. Church Of St Nikolaus, Switzerland. 16-19th Century
19. The Well-Preserved State Chariot Of Pharaoh Thutmose Iv (R. 1401-1388 BC, 18th Dynasty), Showing Pharaoh Smitting His Enemies. It Was Discovered From His Tomb Kv43, Luxor, Egypt. Museum Of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo
20. Michelangelo Buonarotti Was Only 23 Years Old When He Created The Famous Pietà. A French Cardinal Commissioned The Work, And It Took Michelangelo Only Two Years To Complete (1498-1500). It Was Made From A Single Block Of Carrara Marble, And It’s The Only Sculpture The Artist Ever Signed
21. The Main Stairway Up The Ziggurat Of Ur. Still Standing With Its Original Baked Mud Bricks From The Euphrates River, Created Over 4,000 Years Ago In The Oldest Parts
22. Victorian Courting Conversation Chair, Europe 19th Century. Three Tub Back Chair With Fine Turned Wood Spindles Over Finely Turned Legs Ending In Castor Wheels Upholster In Deep Green And Botanical Velvet
23. Schwerin Castle, Is A Schloss Located In The City Of Schwerin, The Capital Of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State, Germany. It Is Situated On An Island In The City’s Main Lake, Lake Schwerin
For centuries the castle was the home of the dukes and grand dukes of Mecklenburg and later Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today parts of it serve as the residence of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament (German: Landtag); other parts are open for tourists.
24. The Mystery Of Göbekli Tepe; Humanity’s First Temple Intrigues Researchers. The Structure Was Erected Around 10,000 Years Before Christ By Nomadic Societies Of Hunter-Gatherers From The Neolithic Period
25. The 4,000-Year-Old Al Naslaa Rock Formation Has A Mystery Laser-Like Cut Through Its Center. This Incredible Pair Of Standing Stones Of Al-Naslaa, Is Located At The Tayma Oasis In Saudi Arabia, And Of Course, It Looks Like A Huge Boulder Cut In Half With Laser-Like Precision
Ever since it was first discovered in 1883 by Charles Huvor, the formation has fuelled debates amongst academics, alternative researchers, and tourists, and many believe that what we are looking at is evidence of Ancient High
26. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala, India
27. Among All The Varying Façades Of Ambleside Sits The Bridge House
This fine example of 17th-Century architecture is a rare survival in a region where the climate is bitter, and the weather rules all. The little stream of Stock Beck meanders its way through the quaint town of Ambleside. Above it stands a whole array of houses dating from various periods; Victorian, Georgian, and earlier are all represented in the slates and stones that make the region’s architecture so famous and ever so iconic. You’ll also find Bridge House, straddling both sides of the river.
28. Roman Road-Construction. Cross Section Of An Ancient Roman Road! What Do You Think About Their Technique?
29. Egyptian Stele From The Sunken City Of Heracleion
30. The Gold Roman Ring In The Form Of A Snake. 2000 Years Old
31. The Hanging Temple, Also Known As The Hanging Temple Of Hengshan, Is A Remarkable Architectural Marvel Located In Shanxi Province, China
Perched precariously on the side of a cliff in the Hengshan Mountains, the temple defies gravity with its unique design and construction
32. Colossal 16th-Century Sculpture Unveiled In Florence, Italy
33. An Ancient Egyptian Faience Ring Depicting A Mother Cat With Kittens Would Have Been A Charming And Significant Artifact In The Context Of Ancient Egyptian Culture
Faience is a glazed ceramic material commonly used in ancient Egypt for various decorative and functional objects. These objects were often crafted with great skill and attention to detail
34. Detail Of The Lion Armor Of French King Henry II, 500 Years Old
35. The Hearth, Still In Good Condition Of A Popina. Pompeii
36. Taking Care Of The Extraordinary “Mosaico Di Orione” (Orion Mosaic) From The Late II Bc – Early I Bc. This Amazing Piece Of Art Is Located In The “House Of The Orion,” Pompeii. The “House Of Orion” Survived With Much Of Its Interior Preserved
37. In 1965, Archaeological Excavations In Mezhyrich, Ukraine, LED To The Discovery Of Four Huts Constructed From A Total Of 149 Mammoth Bones
38. Corinthian Helmet From The Battle Of Marathon (490 BC) Found With The Warrior’s Skull Inside
39. Sumela Monastery, Trabzon, Turkey
40. Khotyn Fortress Is A Fortress Of The 10th-18th Centuries Located In The City Of Khotyn, Ukraine. Founded 1325 Construction 1250 – 1340s Status State Historical And Architectural Reserve
41. Bridge Of Sighs, Italian Ponte Dei Sospiri, Enclosed Limestone Bridge In Venice, Italy, Spanning The Narrow Canal (Rio Di Palazzo) Between The Doge’s Palace And The Prisons
Commissioned by the doge Marino Grimani, whose familial coat of arms is depicted in the center of the facade, the Baroque-style bridge was built about 1600 by the architect Antonio Contino
42. Pair Of 4,000-Year-Old Ceramic Pipes Discovered In 2020. Pingliangtai, China, Longshan Culture, 2200-2000 BC
43. Sacsayhuaman, Also Spelled Saksaywaman (Quechua Word Meaning Satisfied Falcon), Is One Of The Most Stunning Inca Ruins, Located On The Northern Outskirts Of The Old City Of Cusco, Peru, The Former Capital Of The Inca Empire
It is one of the most important archaeological complexes of the Inca Empire, admiring the precision of the engineering used and delving into the history of what was once the greatest civilization in America pre-Columbian. Built like a fortress, the complex cover a vast area, but they constitute perhaps only a quarter of the original complex, which could easily house more than 10,000 men.
44. Ionic Temple Of Garni Armenia. 1st Century AD
45. One Of The Oldest Diving Suits In Existence – Called Wanha Herra. Finland, 18th Century
46. The Old Bath Of Pompeii
47. Colossal Statues Of Pharaoh Amenhotep III On The West Bank Of The Nile, Luxor, Egypt. I Have Put More Photos And Stories About The Treasures Of Luxor
48. The Chronicle Of Georgia Is A Monument Located Near The Tbilisi Sea
49. This Is A 5,000-Year-Old Crystal Dagger Discovered In A Megalithic Tomb In Present-Day Spain
50. Maison Picassiette In 1928, A Graveyard Attendant By The Name Of Raymond Isidore Purchased A Small Plot Of Land Outside The City Of Chartres In France For Himself And His Family
In 1938, Isidore found some pieces of pottery that set him on an obsessive path that would one day gather the attention of Picasso.
51. Ephesus
52. Bust Of The Pharoah Userkaf, Founder Of The Fifth Dynasty And Builder Of The First Egyptian Sun Temple At Abusir
53. The Great Wall Of China Is A Massive Ancient Defensive Structure Located In Northern China. It Is One Of The Most Famous Architectural Wonders In The World And A UNESCO World Heritage Site
54. Hallgrímskirkja Is A Lutheran Parish Church In Reykjavík, Iceland
At 74.5 meters (244 feet) tall, it is the largest church in Iceland, and its tower offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. It has become one of Reykjavik’s best-known symbols
55. Parigoritissa Or Paregoretissa Church Is The 13th-Century Byzantine Metropolitan Church Of The Greek City Of Arta
Part of the building housed the Arta Archaeological Collection. Church approx. 1290 Despot of Epirus, Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, and his second wife, Anna Kantakouzene
56. The Trilingual Inscription Found At The Bisitun Pass In Iran Is Indeed A Significant Archaeological Discovery That Played A Crucial Role In Deciphering Cuneiform, One Of The World’s Oldest Writing Systems. The Inscription, Which Dates Back Approximately 2,500 Years, Provided A Key Breakthrough In Understanding And Translating Cuneiform Texts
57. Chimneys Of The Palau Güell, Designed By The Architect Antoni Gaudí, Built Between 1886 And 1888, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It Is Part Of The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works Of Antoni Gaudí”
58. Ancient Theater At Archaeological Site Of Delphi, Greece. The site Offered The Audience A Wonderful View Of The Entire Shelter And View Of Olive Valley Above. Dating Back To 4 Centuries BC, Theater Was Built From Limestone Of Parnassos Mountain.!
59. If You’re Referring To The “Abode Of The Gods” In Cusco, Peru, It Is Likely A Reference To The Magnificent Ancient Inca Citadel Of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu Is Located Approximately 80 Kilometers Northwest Of Cusco And Is Nestled High In The Andes Mountains
60. Abandoned Castle In Belgium!
61. Abandoned Mansion In France
62. Everyday Life In Pompeii Fantastic Fresco Fragment Showing A Woman Drinking Water On A Balcony. End Of First Century BC Getty Villa Malibu
63. Capital In The Shape Of A Bull From Persian Audience Hall Of King Darius I. 518 BCE-460 BCE
64. Human Hands – Ancestral Shoshone Native-Made Petroglyphs (~1000 To ~200 Years Old) On Fluvial, Quartzose Sandstone Cliff Face (Wasatch Formation, Paleocene To Lowermost Eocene) In Wyoming. These Handprints Were Produced By Rubbing Of Fingers On The Slightly Friable Sandstone Surface
65. The Beryl Intaglio With A Portrait Of Julia Domna Is An Ancient Roman Artifact Dating Back To The Late 2nd Or Early 3rd Century Ad, Specifically Around 210-220 Ad. It Is An Engraved Gemstone Known As An Intaglio, Which Means The Design Is Carved Into The Surface Rather Than Raised Edit This Submission
66. Explore The Captivating City Of Mada’in Saleh In Saudi Arabia!
67. Masada Is A Rugged Natural Fortress, Of Majestic Beauty, In The Judaean Desert Overlooking The Dead Sea
68. The Exquisite And Elegant Braided Hair Of The Caryatids. 421-406 BC. Erechtheion/Acropolis Of Athens, Greece
69. Roman Horse Armor From The 3rd Century Ad, Composed Of About 2000 Bronze Scales. Found In Syria In 1932. Now In The National Museum In Damascus
70. The Cordoba Roman Bridge Stands As A Testament To The City’s Rich History And Architectural Heritage. It Offers A Picturesque View Of The Guadalquivir River And Serves As A Pedestrian Walkway, Allowing Visitors To Cross From One Side Of The River To The Other While Enjoying The Scenic Surroundings
71. Ancient Persian Warrior Gloves From Around 300 BC
72. Vijaya Stambha, An Victory Monument Located Within Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan
73. The Tooth Worm As Hell’s Demon’, 18th Century Depiction Of The Tooth Worm Believed By Many In The Past To Bore Holes In Teeth And Cause Toothaches
74. Helmet From Valsgärde, Uppland, Sweden, 6th – 9th Centuries
75. The World’s Oldest Known Wooden Staircase (3,400 Years Old) Located In An Old Salt Mine In Hallstatt, Austria
76. Circus Maximus (Rome) – Now And Then
77. Temple Of The Moon; One Of Machu Picchu’s Best-Kept Secrets. Located On The Backside Of Machu Picchu, Explorers Must Descend Approximately 1000 Stone Stairs To Find This Stunning Precision Mortarless White Granite Temple Built Into This Mountainous Cave
78. In The Realm Of Symbolism, The Tree Growing On A Door Stands As A Profound Metaphor For Resilience And Transformation. As We Gaze Upon This Extraordinary Sight, We Are Reminded That Life’s Journey Often Unfolds In Unexpected Ways, Leading Us To Uncharted Territories
79. Acropolis Of Athens, 1851-2021
80. Turquoise Glass Cameo Of Circa 20ad, Allegedly Of Tiberius
81. Floral Mosaic When I Saw This Roman Mosaic In Limestone And Glass Paste From The 1st Century Ad, I Couldn’t Resist The Compulsion To Show It To You. On Display In The National Archaeological Museum Of Madrid
82. Casa Dei Vettii, Pompei, Italy It’s A Domus Located In The Roman Town Of Pompeii, The Eruption Of Mount Vesuvius Was Preserved In 79 AD. The House Is Named For Its Owners, Two Successful Freedmen. Pic By Silvia Vacca
83. Gold Pendant-Amulet With A Relief Bust Of Aphrodite And Eros (2nd Century Ce), From Alexandria, Egypt. On The Forehead Of The Goddess Is A Crescent-Shaped Garnet. On The Front Of The Suspension Loop, There Is An Inset Stone Of Green Glass Paste. Louvre Museum
84. Greek Ram Helmet, Southern Italy, Crafted From A Single Sheet Of Bronze During The Archaic Period, 525-500 BC
85. This Is What The Caerleon Amphitheatre (Wales) Would Have Looked Like In The Past
Life was hard for a Roman legionary in first-century Wales, but in Isca Augusta (the site of a Roman legionary fortress and settlement in Wales and one of just three permanent legionary fortresses in Britain), he could always take a stroll to the amphi theater to watch the gladiators
86. Before And After! The Great Ziggurat Of Ur
87. Pair Of Woven Palm Leaf Sandals, New Kingdom, Egypt
88. The Ancient Roman Revelation Of Malleable Glass
89. Egypt
90. The Rumiwasi Stone Is A Famous Stone Carved Structure Located In The Department Of Cusco, Peru. Rumiwasi, In Quechua, Means “Stone Huse” And Is A Term Used To Refer To Elaborate Or Carved Stone Structures
91. Chalice Of The Emperor Romanos II, 959-963, Possibly From Hagia Sophia And Looted In 1204 AD
92. “Hollywood Land” Refers To The Original Name Of The Famous Hollywood Sign Located In The Hollywood Hills Area Of Los Angeles, California
The sign was erected in 1923 as a promotional advertisement for a real estate development called “Hollywood Land.” The sign originally consisted of 13 letters spelling out “Hollywood Land” and was illuminated with thousands of light bulbs
93. These Mysterious Stones In Romania Called ‘Trovants’ Grow, Move And Even Breed
94. England, With Its Rich History And Diverse Landscapes, Has Numerous Woodlands And Forests That May Hold Hidden Treasures Or Intriguing Structures. Unusual Or Artistic Creations, Including Thrones Or Sculptures, Are Sometimes Found In Natural Settings, Often Created By Individuals Or Local Communities
95. Ethiopian Granaries Are Structures Used For The Storage Of Agricultural Produce, Primarily Grains Such As Wheat, Barley, Teff, And Maize
These granaries play a crucial role in Ethiopia’s agricultural practices, as they help preserve food supplies and ensure food security for the population, especially during times of scarcity or drought.
Granaries in Ethiopia come in various forms, reflecting the country’s diverse cultural and architectural styles. One notable type of granary is known as a “Tukul” or “Tukula.” A Tukul is a traditional circular or rectangular hut made from natural wood, bamboo, mud, or stone. These structures often have conical thatched roofs, which provide insulation and protect the stored grains from the elements.
96. Indeed, Earthmoving Has Come A Long Way Throughout History. The Development Of Earthmoving Techniques And Machinery Has Revolutionized Various Industries, Such As Construction, Mining, Agriculture, And Infrastructure Development
97. Liverpool Necropolis/Grant Gardens, Before 1913, And 2023
98. The Engine Of An Old Ship Iwo Jima Island
99. The Trojan Horse Is A Legendary Story From Greek Mythology That Is Famously Associated With The Trojan War. According To The Ancient Greek Epic Poem, The “Iliad” By Homer, The Trojan Horse Was A Large Wooden Horse Used By The Greeks To Gain Entry Into The City Of Troy, Which Had Been Under Siege For Ten Years
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