From temples and monuments to cities and settlements, these magnificent ruins help unlock the mysteries of humanity’s shared past.
Empires rise and fall, but even when the last people of any culture have gone, hints of their history remain. The many ancient ruins found around the world stand as reminders of these lost civilizations, monuments to our ancestors that are often as mysterious as they are illuminating.
When these ruins are rediscovered, they have the ability to fundamentally rewrite our understanding of history. Through archaeological expeditions, researchers have learned of lost cities, forgotten religions, and even entire civilizations that had previously gone unrecognized. From Stonehenge to Machu Picchu, the structures crafted by ancient humans have created lasting legacies that live on in the place of the people who built them.
Check out 44 stunning photos of ancient ruins from around the globe, and learn about their fascinating stories through the gallery below.
1 of 45
The earliest fortifications of the Great Wall of China date back to the seventh century B.C.E. However, the most famous stretches of the Great Wall were constructed during the Ming dynasty, between 1368 and 1644.
Now a world-famous tourist destination, the structure spans over 13,000 miles in total, and it once served as both a military defense strategy and a means of controlling trade along the Silk Road.
Wikimedia Commons
2 of 45
The ruins of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, which is located in modern-day Iran.
The city boasted a massive terrace and was adorned with grand palaces, audience halls, and intricately carved reliefs.
Persepolis ultimately met its downfall when Alexander the Great captured and burned it in 330 B.C.E., likely in retribution for earlier Persian attacks on Greece.
Wikimedia Commons
3 of 45
The entrance to Fengdu Ghost City, a 2,000-year-old temple complex on Ming Mountain in China’s Chongqing municipality.
The site is steeped in folklore and features eerie landmarks like the “Bridge of Helplessness,” which supposedly connects the mortal realm to the underworld.
Ian Grant/Alamy Stock Photo
4 of 45
Sigiriya, also known as the Lion Fortress, is an ancient citadel perched atop a massive 650-foot-high megalithic rock in Sri Lanka.
Built in the fifth century C.E. by King Kashyapa I, Sigiriya served as both a royal palace and a formidable stronghold.
On the way up the rock is the monumental Lion’s Gate, where giant carved paws frame the entrance to the summit. At the summit, visitors can see the ruins of Kashyapa’s palace, which became a Buddhist monastery for centuries after the king’s fall.
geogphotos/Alamy Stock Photo
5 of 45
Giant statue heads on Mount Nemrut in modern-day Turkey.
Built in the first century B.C.E., the site holds the monumental tomb of Antiochus I of Commagene and features statues depicting Greek and Persian deities.
MehmetO/Alamy Stock Photo
6 of 45
Grianán of Aileach is an ancient circular fort perched atop Greenan Mountain in County Donegal, Ireland. Dating back to around the 6th century C.E., it likely served as a royal stronghold for Cenél nEógain, a powerful branch of the Northern Uí Néill dynasty.
Grianán of Aileach is also linked to a number of ancient Irish legends, including associations with the Tuatha Dé Danann, a mythical, magical group of gods.
Wikimedia Commons
7 of 45
Cliff Palace, located in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, photographed circa 1891.
Built by the Ancestral Puebloans around the late 1190s, Cliff Palace consists of more than 150 rooms and 23 kivas — chambers that were used for religious rituals — tucked beneath a sandstone alcove.
Cliff Palace was abandoned by the late 1200s, possibly due to a bad drought and resource scarcity in the region.
Public Domain
8 of 45
The ancient Pisidian city of Termessos, in Turkey’s Taurus Mountains.
Built on rugged, steep terrain more than 3,000 feet above sea level, it was naturally fortified and virtually impenetrable. Even Alexander the Great was unable to invade the city due to these natural defenses.
Despite this, Termessos was eventually abandoned around the 5th century. Damage from earthquakes and the city’s remote location made it extremely difficult to get a reliably consistent supply of water, and it’s believed that water shortages played a big role in its abandonment.
Wikimedia Commons
9 of 45
The Pyramids of Meroë, located in present-day Sudan, are some of the most stunning ancient ruins from the Kingdom of Kush, which thrived from the 8th century B.C.E. to the 4th century C.E.
The pyramids served as funerary monuments, likely to honor the kingdom’s powerful yet mysterious rulers, and there are about 200 of these historic structures still standing to this day.
Wikimedia Commons
10 of 45
The King’s Gate at Hattusa, the ancient Hittite capital (located in modern-day Turkey) during the Late Bronze Age.
The city housed royal palaces, administrative buildings, and more than 30 temples, earning it the title “City of a Thousand Gods” due to the ancient Hittites’ diverse pantheon.
Wikimedia Commons
11 of 45
The Guyaju Caves, located in Yanqing near Beijing, are mysterious, ancient, rock-cut stone chambers connected by narrow passageways and staircases.
It’s believed that they were built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 C.E.) or perhaps even earlier, but no definitive records explain who built them or why.
Wikimedia Commons
12 of 45
Ciudad Perdida, also known as the “Lost City,” an ancient archaeological site that’s hidden deep in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
Built by the Tayrona civilization around the ninth century C.E., it once functioned as a political and economic hub.
Ciudad Perdida was abandoned during the Spanish conquest, and was reclaimed by the jungle over the course of hundreds of years. It was then rediscovered by treasure hunters in the 1970s, prompting archaeological preservation efforts.
Wikimedia Commons
13 of 45
Timgad, in modern-day Algeria, is a remarkably well-preserved Roman colonial city founded by Emperor Trajan around 100 C.E., and it’s even been dubbed the “Pompeii of North Africa.” It flourished for years before being sacked by the Vandals in the fifth century and later abandoned following Arab invasions.Wikimedia Commons
14 of 45
Massive statues at Tanis, the ruins of a prominent city in the Nile River delta that served as the capital of Egypt during its 21st and 22nd dynasties.Wikimedia Commons
15 of 45
Takht-e Soleyman, or the “Throne of Solomon,” an ancient archaeological site in northwestern Iran. During the Sasanian Empire, the site housed the Zoroastrian fire temple of Adur Gushnasp. Notably, the site was built near a natural crater lake, which was believed to have spiritual significance and has links to King Solomon in folklore. Wikimedia Commons
16 of 45
Hive-shaped structures on Skellig Michael, an island off the southwestern coast of Ireland, which was once home to a remote monastic settlement.
Skellig Michael was abandoned as a permanent monastery sometime around the 12th century, likely due to how difficult it was to maintain life on the island.
Wikimedia Commons
17 of 45
The Great Pyramid of Cholula in Puebla, Mexico. It is the largest pyramid in the world by volume, surpassing even the famous Great Pyramid of Giza.Wikimedia Commons
18 of 45
The ancient ruins of Salona, located near modern-day Solin in Croatia, once made up the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.
Salona played an important role in early Christianity, with several basilicas, martyrdom sites, and an early Christian cemetery. Unfortunately, its location made it an easy target for invasions, and it was heavily damaged during raids that caused its people to ultimately abandon the town around 614 C.E.
Wikimedia Commons
19 of 45
Nan Madol, a mysterious ancient city off the coast of Pohnpei in Micronesia, was built atop a network of more than 90 artificial islets, connected by canals.
The unique city was a major ceremonial, political, and religious center during the Saudeleur Dynasty between the 12th and 17th centuries, but as Saudeleur rule gradually declined, so too did the city.
Greg Vaughn/Alamy Stock Photo
20 of 45
The ruins of Ostia Antica, a once-bustling Roman harbor city.
Founded around the fourth century B.C.E., the city featured beautiful mosaics, an impressive forum, and a large theater, but the port was largely abandoned after the fall of Rome and the harbor eventually silted up.
Wikimedia Commons
21 of 45
The massive ancient fortress known as Kuelap, located in Peru’s Andes Mountains, sits on a limestone ridge almost 10,000 feet above sea level. The site was inhabited by the Chachapoya until the Inca conquest in the 15th century, after which it was gradually abandoned until its rediscovery in the 19th century.Wikimedia Commons
22 of 45
The theater at the ruins of Delphi, Greece, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.
Delphi was once an important religious site in the Greek world, home to the Sanctuary of Apollo and the famous Oracle of Delphi. Pilgrims from across the Mediterranean came to consult the Pythia, the high priestess who delivered frenzied prophecies believed to be inspired by Apollo himself.
The rise of Christianity under Roman rule gradually led to Delphi’s abandonment.
Wikimedia Commons
23 of 45
Karakorum in north-central Mongolia. The city was once the capital of the Mongol Empire under Ögedei Khan, the third son of Genghis Khan. However, his successor Kublai Khan moved the capital to Khanbaliq (modern Beijing) in the 13th century, and Karakorum was later destroyed by Ming forces in the 14th century.imageBROKER.com/Alamy Stock Photo
24 of 45
Serjilla in modern-day Syria is one of the most well-preserved sites among the “Dead Cities” in the area.
Unlike many other ancient ruins, Serjilla wasn’t a fortress or royal city but a thriving rural community. It features stone houses, bath complexes, churches, and a tavern, offering unique insight into the daily lives of Byzantine farmers.
Serjilla and the other Dead Cities were abandoned in the seventh century, likely due to shifting trade routes and the rise of the Umayyad dynasty.
Wikimedia Commons
25 of 45
Choquequirao, an Inca site in the Cusco region of southern Peru. It spreads across multiple terraces carved into the steep slopes of the mountains and features plazas, temples, warehouses, and intricate irrigation systems.
Choquequirao is believed to have been an important administrative hub and possibly a final refuge for Inca people resisting Spanish conquest.
Wikimedia Commons
26 of 45
The castle walls of Tintagel, on the coast of Cornwall, England. Around the fifth to seventh centuries C.E., the site was an important trading settlement. Later on, in the 13th century, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, had a castle erected on the cliffs.
In Arthurian legend, Tintagel is often cited as the birthplace of King Arthur, and though it eventually fell into ruin, it remains a popular tourist and archaeological destination today.
Public Domain
27 of 45
The ancient Buddhist site Maijishan Grottoes in China’s Gansu Province.
First built in the fourth century C.E., the Maijishan Grottoes eventually became an important stop along the Silk Road. They contain more than 190 caves connected by a network of wooden walkways clinging to the rock face, housing thousands of Buddhist statues and murals. The Maijishan Grottoes also served as a monastic retreat that attracted pilgrims and scholars.
Despite erosion and earthquakes over the years, many of the sculptures and other pieces of artwork remain remarkably well-preserved for their age.
Wikimedia Commons
28 of 45
The ruined medieval city of Ani near the Turkish-Armenian border. Once, it was the capital of the Bagratid Armenian Kingdom and a thriving hub along the Silk Road, but years of invasions, earthquakes, and shifting trade routes led to its decline and eventual abandonment by the 18th century.Wikimedia Commons
29 of 45
The famous Inca site Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Miraculously, Machu Picchu was apparently never discovered by Spanish conquistadors, and it was only brought to international attention in 1911 after its “rediscovery” by American explorer Hiram Bingham (though locals who lived nearby were well aware of the site).Renato Granieri/Alamy Stock Photo
30 of 45
An 1892 photograph of the Temple of Kukulcan at Chichén Itzá, a ruined ancient Maya city in Mexico.Public Domain
31 of 45
Ik-kil, or the Blue cenote, near the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. During the time of the Maya civilization, people would often perform rituals here, including human sacrifice.imageBROKER.com/Alamy Stock Photo
32 of 45
Carved into the sandstone cliff faces in modern-day Jordan, the city of Petra was once the capital of the Nabataean Empire, thriving as a cultural hub and trading center between 400 B.C.E. and 106 C.E. But after the Nabataean Empire was absorbed into the Roman Empire, residents began to leave the city, causing it to fall into decay. It would then sit abandoned for centuries before being rediscovered in the 1800s.Wikimedia Commons
33 of 45
Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world.
The site was built in the 12th century under the orders of King Suryavarman II and originally dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu before gradually transforming into a Buddhist shrine. Surrounded by a vast moat, the temple complex symbolizes Mount Meru, the sacred mountain and center of the universe in Hindu cosmology.
Angkor Wat was the heart of the once-mighty Khmer Empire, and even after the empire’s decline, it remained an important pilgrimage site. It wasn’t until the 19th century, however, that it was rediscovered by the wider world.
Wikimedia Commons
34 of 45
People gathered before a monument in the Ellora Caves in India, near Aurangabad.
The Ellora Caves house Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments, dating from approximately 600 to 1000 C.E.
One of the most impressive structures at the site is the Kailasa Temple, a massive shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, painstakingly chiseled by hand from a single piece of stone over the course of 20 years.
Wikimedia Commons
35 of 45
The civil forum at the Roman city of Pompeii, which was tragically destroyed, alongside the town of Herculaneum, after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 C.E.Adam Eastland/Alamy Stock Photo
36 of 45
Rujm el-Hiri is an ancient megalithic monument believed to be about 6,000 years old. Located in Golan Heights, a disputed region claimed by both Syria and Israel, Rujm el-Hiri is often called the “Stonehenge of the East,” and its exact purpose remains unclear, though some have suspected it was once an astronomical observatory. Duby Tal/Albatross/Alamy Stock Photo
37 of 45
An aerial view of the sunken city of Pavlopetri off the coast of Laconia, Greece.
Dating back around 5,000 years, it is the world’s oldest known submerged city.
PitK/Alamy Stock Photo
38 of 45
Malta’s Ġgantija temple complex, one of the world’s earliest free-standing stone buildings, dating back to the 4th millennium B.C.E. or the 3rd millennium B.C.E.
The name “Ġgantija” means “Giant’s Tower” — and references the belief that giants constructed the site.
Wikimedia Commons
39 of 45
The Grotto of Tiberius at Sperlonga, Italy. The accompanying villa once served as the summer retreat of Roman Emperor Tiberius during the first century C.E.Erin Babnik/Alamy Stock Photo
40 of 45
Sarmizegetusa Regia in modern-day Romania. These ruins once made up part of the capital of the Dacian Kingdom, which endured from the second century B.C.E. until the first century C.E.
It was ultimately conquered by the Romans in 106 C.E., and the capital was effectively destroyed. The remaining ruins weren’t rediscovered until the 20th century.
Carmen Gabriela Filip/Alamy Stock Photo
41 of 45
Teotihuacan, one of the largest and most influential cities of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. It was first settled in 400 B.C.E. and arguably reached its peak around 500 C.E.Wikimedia Commons
42 of 45
The intricately designed stepwell of Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat, India.
Commissioned by Queen Udayamati (who was paying tribute to her deceased spouse) in the 11th century C.E., the site served as both a practical subterranean water resource and a monumental work of art. As time went on, however, the stepwell was often flooded by the Saraswati River and became clogged with silt and mud. Fortunately, it was fully restored by the late 20th century.
Leonid Andronov/Alamy Stock Photo
43 of 45
The Longyou Caves in China’s Zhejiang Province are a mysterious series of massive, presicion-carved chambers dating back at least 2,000 years.
The caves were discovered by local farmers in 1992, prompting further excavation. In total, the complex consists of at least 24 caves, featuring immense halls with high ceilings, pillars, and distinct chisel marks that decorate the walls. Despite their scale and precision, no historical record mentions their construction, purpose, or builders.
Wikimedia Commons
44 of 45
The Etruscan Pyramid near Bomarzo, Italy is a mysterious rock-cut monument believed to date back to the Etruscan civilization (which flourished in central Italy between the 8th and 3rd centuries B.C.E.).
The pyramid is carved from a massive block of volcanic tuff. Historians believe it was likely used for religious or ceremonial purposes, but its exact function remains uncertain, due to a lack of definitive archaeological evidence.
Rupert Hansen/Alamy Stock Photo
45 of 45
Like this gallery? Share it:
Explore 44 Ancient Ruins From Around The World, From Pompeii To The Pyramids Of Meroë
Stonehenge, One Of The Most Mysterious Ancient Ruins In The World
Standing on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge remains one of the most enigmatic prehistoric monuments on Earth. For centuries, the towering stone circle has captivated visitors and archaeologists, while its mysterious origins continue to fuel speculation and debate.
From various studies, researchers have made a few keen observations about Stonehenge. It is now known that the monument’s construction spanned about 1,500 years, beginning during the Neolithic period around 3100 B.C.E., with the most recognizable stone circle erected sometime between 2600 and 2400 B.C.E. — an impressive feat, given that some of the massive sarsen stones weigh about 25 tons. Most of these seem to have been transported from the Marlborough Downs, located about 18 miles away.
Even more remarkable, the smaller bluestones originated from the Preseli Hills in Wales, some 150 miles away. Transporting these stones over such a long distance would have required sophisticated planning among ancient British societies. However, it’s still unclear who exactly built the structure.
Wikimedia CommonsStonehenge, the mysterious ancient ruins on Salisbury Plain.
The original purpose of transporting and erecting the stones is also a mystery. Archaeological evidence suggests that Stonehenge served multiple purposes throughout its long history, functioning as a burial ground for cremated remains for at least part of the time.
Stonehenge’s precise astronomical alignments, particularly during the summer and winter solstice, suggest that it could have also operated as a sophisticated calendar and observatory, helping ancient people track seasonal changes that were crucial for agriculture. Ground-penetrating radar has also uncovered a vast landscape of buried monuments surrounding the stone circle, including a timber building, burial mounds, and settlement sites.
Today, Stonehenge stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting more than one million visitors every year. Unlike some other ancient ruins, though, the known story of Stonehenge is relatively peaceful and calm so far. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the fate of Pompeii.
The Destruction Of Pompeii After The Eruption Of Mount Vesuvius
Wikimedia CommonsThe House of the Faun at the ancient ruins of Pompeii.
In 79 C.E., the bustling Roman city of Pompeii fell victim to a devastating volcanic force. Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted, and in less than 24 hours, the thriving commercial hub was buried beneath volcanic ash and pumice, eerily preserving the tragic fate of its residents for eternity.
Prior to the catastrophe, Pompeii had been a prosperous city of around 20,000 people. First settled in the 8th century B.C.E., it had evolved from a small agricultural settlement to a sophisticated urban center with paved streets, elaborate villas, public baths, and a massive amphitheater that could seat up to 20,000 spectators. Pompeii’s location was highly strategic, given the proximity to the Bay of Naples, which helped transform the city into a vital trading port where merchants sold products like wine, olive oil, and garum — a fish sauce that was beloved in ancient Rome.
All of this was suddenly gone, however, once Vesuvius erupted. A towering surge from the volcano shot as high as 20 miles into the sky, and as the volcanic debris rained down, most of Pompeii’s citizens fled in panic. Tragically, many were trapped by the rapidly accumulating ash. The pyroclastic flow that followed killed those who remained, instantly preserving eerie details of their final moments in hardened volcanic material.
Pompeii remained largely hidden beneath the volcanic ash for centuries, until accidental discoveries in the 16th century eventually led to systematic excavations, which started in 1748. As the excavations became more organized, historians were eventually able to create plaster casts of victims, which were made by pouring plaster into the air pockets in the debris that contained human bones, which were left behind after the victims’ bodies decomposed. Today, the plaster casts on display at the site offer a morbid yet fascinating glimpse into the final moments of the people of Pompeii.
Archaeologists continue to study the ancient ruins of Pompeii to this day, with new discoveries being made with surprising regularity. In this aspect, though, Pompeii is not wholly unique. Another archaeological site known as Angkor Wat has also proven to be a trove of archaeological treasures.
Angkor Wat, The Marvelous Crown Jewel Of The Khmer Empire
Tommy Trenchard/Alamy Stock PhotoRhesus monkeys at the ancient ruins of the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the world’s largest religious structure and a testament to the architectural fortitude of the Khmer Empire. The name translates to “Temple City,” and construction began on it in the 12th century under the orders of King Suryavarman II.
It was originally intended to be a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. Construction took around 30 years and wound up spanning over 400 acres. The overall layout of Angkor Wat was meant to represent Mount Meru, the sacred mountain and center of the universe in Hindu cosmology. The temple’s five central towers symbolized the mountain’s peaks, while the surrounding moats represented the cosmic ocean.
The project reportedly required 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants to complete. Its builders sourced massive sandstone blocks from a nearby mountain for the project, transporting the materials via canals and rivers. The temple’s intricate bas-reliefs ended up stretching nearly half a mile and depicting a number of epic Hindu narratives, including the “Churning of the Ocean of Milk” and scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Angkor Wat evolved over time as well. During the 13th century, as Buddhism became more prominent in the region, the temple transformed from a Hindu temple to a Buddhist shrine. The monks who resided there added Buddhist statues and imagery, while also preserving some original Hindu artwork, creating a unique religious synthesis that can still be seen today.
As the Khmer Empire declined in the 15th century, Angkor Wat was gradually abandoned. Over the years, the jungle reclaimed much of the complex, though Buddhist monks continued to maintain parts of the temple.
The site was then reintroduced to the Western world after the French explorer Henri Mouhot came across it around 1860, and numerous archaeological excavations at the site since have yielded a wealth of artifacts that shed light on the history of the Khmer Empire. 3D mapping and digital reconstructions have also helped archaeologists understand the site better, while protecting it from environmental challenges and pressures of tourism.
Angkor Wat is considered so historically significant that it’s even the central symbol on the Cambodian flag. It is perhaps one of the greatest examples of why ancient ruins are so captivating and significant, even hundreds — sometimes thousands — of years after their heyday.
