13 Lost Cities Rediscovered by Modern Travelers
For centuries, the world’s greatest explorers have longed to discover what they thought might be lost cities of years past. Lost cities are storied civilizations that vanished from history, towns buried under the sands, or simply cities that are lost to time. However, many of these cities were just whispers in ancient text or legend, but modern explorers, archaeologists, and adventurers have done incredible rediscoveries that bring these long-forgotten places back to life.
Their stories are of flourishing cultures, of innovative minds, and of inevitable decline by war, disaster, or environmental change. Come with us as we explore 13 amazing cities that have risen from the ashes of history to astound our modern travellers and researchers.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Discovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham, Machu Picchu lay hidden high in the Andes Mountains. Here’s Incan citadel as a monument to the architectural genius of the Inca Empire. One of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, its terraced fields, stone temples, and strategic location all make sense of this. Today, it attracts adventurers and historians to see breathtaking views and touch on its history from the past.
Pompeii, Italy
This once bustling city was buried under the ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and stayed that way for nearly 1,700 years. This Roman city was rediscovered in the 18th century and gives the most invaluable insight into the forgotten life. The frescoes are preserved, the streets and graffiti are preserved; it seems as though the inhabitants just stepped out and are returning soon. Stepping into a time machine is walking through Pompeii.
Petra, Jordan
An ancient Nabatean city rediscovered in 1812 by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, has been nicknamed the ‘Rose City’ for its pink sandstone cliffs. Monumental Treasury and other structures are carved directly into its rock. Petra was once a crowded trade hub and was abandoned in the 7th century. Today, visitors are impressed with the combination of natural beauty and human ingenuity.
Angkor, Cambodia
Angkor was the heart of the Khmer Empire between 9th and 15th centuries and then came the sprawling temple complex. Along with its other temple ruins, Angkor Wat, the site’s most famous temple, was rediscovered by French explorers in the 19th century. For centuries, the site has been overgrown by jungle but its intricate carvings and towering spires have made it one of Southeast Asia’s most visited landmarks.
Troy, Turkey
German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann rediscovered the city of Troy—famous for Homer’s Iliad—once thought purely mythical in the 1870s. The layers of civilizations have been thriving between 3000 BC to 500 A.D in present-day Turkey. Visitors walking through its ruins can almost still hear echoes of ancient battles, or heroic tales.
Mesa Verde, USA
Between 600 and 1300 AD, the Ancestral Puebloans lived on the cliffs of Colorado at Mesa Verde. Ranchers rediscovered its cliff dwellings in the late 19th century, and they are among the most well-preserved prehistoric structures in North America. Visitors today can explore these ancient homes and learn about the ancient culture that simply vanished centuries ago.
Pompeii of the East: Hampi, India
Hampi, once capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, is a sprawling city of temples, markets and palaces in the south of India. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a reminder of the empire’s wealth and exuberant cultural sophistication. Its historic ruins are a favorite of travelers, and its boulder-strewn landscape adds a dramatic flair to the whole thing.
Tikal, Guatemala
Tikal was a city of the ancient Maya civilization, in the deep Guatemalan rainforest. Its pyramid tower and its sprawling plazas were buried in the jungle mist until they were rediscovered in the 19th century. Climbing one of Tikal’s temples for sunrise, and seeing howler monkeys and tropical birds provide a surreal soundtrack, and the experience is unforgettable.
Knossos, Greece
Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization on Crete, was considered Europe’s oldest city. Its ruins include a complex of palace buildings and colorful frescoes, excavated by Sir Arthur Evans early in the 20th century. Also, the Greek myths are tied to Knossos, the Minotaur and his labyrinth are thought to be of Knossos.
Ciudad Perdida, Colombia
Ciudad Perdida was built by the Tayrona people around 800 AD and is known locally as “the Lost City”. It was swallowed by jungle for centuries, hidden in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada mountains, until it was rediscovered in the 1970s. To get to Ciudad Perdida, you have to do a multi-day trek, but you get to go through history and nature all at once.
Leptis Magna, Libya
During the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Leptis Magna in Libya was a jewel of the Roman Empire. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the theaters, markets and bath houses are wonderfully preserved, and provide a fascinating glimpse into how Romans lived. Tourism, however, limited by political instability in the region, cannot deny the grandeur of the city.
Çatalhöyük, Turkey
Çatalhöyük is one of the oldest cities ever discovered — 7500 BC. The community of mudbrick houses was unearthed in the 1960s in this Neolithic settlement. Mural and early farming evidence show that visitors can see the beginning of urban life. It reminds us that it’s been quite a journey for humanity.
The Lost City of Heracleion, Egypt
The ancient Egyptian port city of Heracleion, or Thonis, sank beneath the Mediterranean some 1200 years ago. Its ruins, colossal statues, temples, and shipwrecks are relics that were rediscovered underwater in 2000. Its streets can be explored by divers, its artifacts are taken up out of the deep for all to marvel at, in museum exhibits.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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