Ancient ruins littered in the world represent a rich cultural heritage. The remnants of some of these ‘once’ prosperous ruins can still be seen and are tourist attractions. Ancient history books muster the examples of the cities and civilizations that were demolished, deserted or buried under the sea. It is believed that human civilizations existed much before the records that history can trace.
There are many hidden mysteries and fascinations in our ancient past. Inside the womb of these ruins there are clues to the civilizations that existed in the form of sunken cities, ancient structures, cryptic hieroglyphics, artwork and lifestyle. Recently, I viewed a documentary on my television linked to ATT Uverse TV, about the ten most amazing lost cities of the world.
Amazed by the history of civilizations, I wanted to get into more specific information on the cultural lifestyle of the people of these lost cities. After hours of time in library and online research helped to collect the details and here I present few ‘must know’ lost cities.
Machu Picchu often referred to as the Lost City of the Incasis probably one the most familiar Inca civilization. This extraordinary pre-Columbian ruin is located in the mountain valleys of Peru near Cusco. It is believed to be constructed around 1450 at the time of prosperous Inca Empire.
But later, when Inca Empire was conquered by Spain, Machu Picchu fell into ruins as it was abandoned. The archaeological excavation unfolds the rich architecture of this city built under intellectual visionary. This ancient Inca citadel has left historians marvel on its landscape architecture.
Memphis in Lower Egypt is the Greek version name that the Ancient Egyptians used to denote the city and was founded during the rule of the legendary king, Menes, who united Upper and Lower Egypt. The huge city of Memphis was by far the largest settlement worldwide and reached the heights of peak as a centre of the cult of the god Ptah.
As Memphis fell into the ruins, it soon became a source for cluttered stones for the surrounding settlements. Archeologists have been able to uncover the remains of the temple of Ptah and Apis and other few statues like alabaster of Ramesses II that have been partly destroyed. The Saqqara and Giza were the main necropoleis associated with Memphis.
Petra – meaning rock in Greek is situated in the present-day Jordan on the edge of the Arabian Desert, was once the capital of Nabataean empire. This ancient rock city stands in the basin of nearly impenetrable mountains to the east of the valley connecting the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Petra, also know as the lost city of Jordan is a stupefying archaeological site.
It is an abandoned necropolis of temples and tombs and is famous for many stone structures carved into the rock cliffs of red, pink and orange sandstone. Petra wrapped by towering rocks was a famous commercial and ceremonial establishment of the Nabataean culture which later, became crippled by an earthquake that destroyed the city. Archaeological excavations have revealed astonishing intricate carvings in the ruins of this historic and culture rich city.
Palenque is one of the most famous ancient Maya cities near the Usumacinta River in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Surrounded by the deep green jungle, the ruins lie amidst the natural environment adding to the beauty and brilliance of the ancient location. It contains some of the finest architecture, sculpture, and bas-relief carvings and is considered one of the most important sites in Ancient America. Palenque’s exquisite architecture can be still seen in monuments like The Grand Palace, the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Cross Group and he Temple of the Sun and many others and is one of the marvels ofMexico.
