Discovering an Architectural MarvelLocated in Santa Clara Canyon, Puye Cliff Dwellings are a testament to Pueblo architectural brilliance. Situated on the Santa Clara Pueblo Reservation near Española, New Mexico, this site is one of the largest prehistoric settlements on the Pajarito Plateau. The ruins, dating from the late 1200s to around 1600, display a rich…
Ancient Civilizations
All Ancient Civilizations, Cultures and People
Ur of the Chaldees
Introduction to Ur KasdimUr Kasdim, often called “Ur of the Chaldeans,” is renowned as Abraham’s birthplace. This pivotal figure shapes Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Cited often in the Hebrew Bible, Ur Kasdim has drawn significant scholarly and archaeological attention. In 1862, Henry Rawlinson associated it with Tell el-Muqayyar near Nasiriyah in Iraq. Leonard Woolley’s 1927…
Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari
Overview of the Thracian Tomb of SvestariThe Thracian Tomb of Svestari lies 2.5 kilometers southwest of Sveshtari village in Razgrad Province, northeast Bulgaria. This site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, likely served as the burial place for King Dromichaetes and his wife, around 300 to 280 BC. Dromichaetes ruled the Getae, a Thracian tribe, across…
Thracian tomb Helvetia
Discovery of Helvetia MoundOn July 26, 1996, the Helvetia Mound emerged as a significant archaeological find. The TEMP expedition, under the leadership of Assoc. Georgi Kitov, uncovered this Thracian cult building. It lies in the Valley of the Thracian Rulers, forming part of the Shushmanets mound necropolis near Shipka.Architectural Features of Helvetia MoundThe tomb within…
Ghazni Minarets
Introduction to the Ghazni Minarets The Ghazni Minarets are two intricately decorated towers located in Ghazni city, central Afghanistan. Constructed in the mid-12th century, they are the only surviving elements of the mosque of Bahram Shah. The minarets stand 600 meters apart in an open plain northeast of Ghazni city. Architectural Details Original and Current…
The Dresden Codex
Introduction to the Dresden Codex The Dresden Codex is a significant Maya book, once considered the oldest surviving book from the Americas, dating back to the 11th or 12th century AD. However, in September 2018, it was established that the Maya Codex of Mexico, formerly known as the Grolier Codex, predates it by about a…