16 Wonders of the Ancient World Revisited

History is mankind’s favorite storyteller, always telling tales of victory, of art, of ingenuity. The mind often wanders to the classics when it comes to the ancient wonders, as there’s a veritable treasure trove of other architectural and cultural feats that belong in this conversation. These, marvels of engineering and imagination, remind us of just how far ancient civilizations were stretching possibilities.

This is a journey that takes us away from the well-trodden paths of historical texts and into less well-known but equally fascinating territory. Not only will we visit the famed “Seven Wonders,” but we will also explore the amazing creations that escaped the notice of ancient historians such as Herodotus. Ready to time travel? Let’s go.

Great Pyramid Of Giza

Ancient wonders abound, and the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is the poster child for a good reason. This Pyramidal tomb, built around 2560 BCE for the pharaoh Khufu, was the tallest man-made structure for more than 3800 years. Built in a time with no modern tools to speak of, it was made of human grit and ingenuity. In its construction, archaeologists estimate that about 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite, each several tons in weight, were used. Yet today, scientists are mystified by how the ancient Egyptians made this happen.

Hanging Gardens Of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon have fueled the imaginations of people for centuries, though some historians doubt if they ever existed. It was believed King Nebuchadnezzar II built them for his homesick wife, and they were full of lush terraces on tiered terraces. The gardens would have used an early irrigation system to bring water up from the Euphrates River, a technological marvel in itself if they were real.

Colossus Of Rhodes

Colossus of Rhodes, a 108-foot bronze statue of the sun god Helios, standing tall at the entrance to Rhodes Harbor was the tallest statue of the ancient world. The Colossus stood behind 280 BCE, to celebrate the island’s victory over invaders. Unfortunately, 54 years later, an earthquake toppled it, but its legend still inspires awe. It is said to have inspired the modern Statue of Liberty for many.

Temple of Artemis

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was a temple and more. Rebuilt a number of times, it shone with both its sheer scale and beauty. The envy of the ancient world by the 4th century BCE, its marble columns and sculpted friezes were one of the most esteemed sights of its day. However, as with many wonderful things, it burned to the ground and fell to invasion, no more than fragments are left.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Picture a seated statue so big that its form almost brushed the ceiling of the temple in which it was housed. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, by sculptor Phidias, circa 435 BCE, was that. The god was grand and this masterpiece was adorned with gold and ivory. Unfortunately, it was lost to history, probably burnt in a fire or during the Byzantine era’s anti-pagan wave.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Mausoleum was built as a tomb for artist Isis and her husband Maususolus, a Persian satrap in 350 BCE. A mix of the Greek, Egyptian, and Lycian architectural styles made its beauty. Its influence lives on in every ornate tomb built since, though earthquakes destroyed it in the Middle Ages.

Lighthouse of Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria stood as a sentry guiding sailors cautiously through the tricky sea of the Nile Delta and served as a tribute to Roman engineering skills. It was built around 280 BCE and stood nearly 350 feet tall, one of the tallest man-made objects for centuries. Multiple earthquakes damaged the lighthouse, and it was swallowed by the waves.

The Great Wall of China

This one’s a tough one to miss—literally. At over 13,000 miles long, the Great Wall of China isn’t just impressive for its construction, though, it’s also an image of endurance. Construction of the wall began in the 7th century BCE, and continued over dynasties, with workers using bricks, tamped earth, and stone to build a wall that would protect China’s northern frontier. Today, it attracts millions of visitors a year, and its appeal is no less today than anytime in its past.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge has stood for over 4,000 years as a prehistoric enigma out on the Salisbury Plain in England. What was its purpose — was it a burial ground? Its very existence is staggering: a celestial calendar? The stones, some weighing as much as 25 tons, were brought from quarries many miles away, giving rise to endless theories about ancient engineering methods.

Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by farmers in Xi’an, China, near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang; its silent yet powerful tribute is to a man who, more than 2,200 years ago, united China and the world’s first true emperor. More than 8,000 life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots were crafted to accompany the emperor in the afterlife, this underground army. The artisans have taken care to give each soldier unique facial features.

Petra, Jordon

Petra in Jordan is an ancient marvel of ingenuity that’s frequently nicknamed the “Rose City” for its pink sandstone cliffs. This Nabatean city was carved right into the rock, and around 300 BCE was a hub for trade. Its water management system was of its time, enabling a whole city to exist in an arid desert.

Machu Picchu

Not ancient in the classical sense, however, Machu Picchu, built by the Incas in the 15th century, should be mentioned. This archaeological site is perched high in the Andes Mountains and shows advanced stone-cutting techniques. It was rediscovered in 1911 and became famous worldwide, but historians speculate it was a royal estate or religious site.

Chichen Itza

The Maya city in Mexico made famous by the Pyramid of Kukulcán, also known as the step pyramid, is actually a solar calendar. Twice a year, at the equinoxes, shadows make it seem as if a serpent slithers down the side of the pyramid. The Mayan sophistication is such that they could achieve such astronomical precision.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon is perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens where it is and it pays witness to the ancient Greeks’ glories of culture and politics. The fifth-century BCE building was dedicated to the city’s patron goddess Athena. The structure, though war -orn and looted, still has its grandeur and classical architectural ideals.

The Library Of Alexandria

The Library of Alexandria though no longer in existence continues as a symbol of human intellectual ambition. It was once home to hundreds of thousands of scrolls, all of which aimed to contain all the world’s knowledge. Its demise is argued by scholars; some blame Julius Caesar, others later invasions, but its spirit lives on in modern repositories of learning.

Moai Statues Of Easter Island

Polynesian innovation is remembered in the form of the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Moai statues that dot the landscape. These monolithic figures were carved between 1250 and 1500 CE and stand as tall as 33 feet, or weigh up to 82 tons. What intrigues experts about these massive structures is the islanders’ ability to move them without modern machinery.

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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience

Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.

But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.

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