The Ancient City of Suyab, once a significant Silk Road hub, lies in the territory of modern Kyrgyzstan. It thrived as a crossroads of cultures and commerce, linking the East and West. Suyab was a melting pot of various peoples, including the Sogdians, Chinese, Turks, and others. Its strategic location made it a political and economic center in Central Asia, particularly during the Tang dynasty and the period of the Turkic Khaganate.
Cities
Ancient cities were centers of civilization, often surrounded by walls for protection. They were hubs of trade, culture, and politics, and many contained monumental buildings and temples. Cities like Rome, Athens, and Babylon were powerful centers of the ancient world.
Caliphate City of Medina Azahara
The Caliphate City of Medina Azahara, a palatial city complex, stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Umayyad dynasty in al-Andalus. Built by Caliph Abd-ar-Rahman III in the 10th century, it served as a political and administrative center. Located near Cordoba, Spain, the ruins reflect the cultural zenith of the Caliphate of Cordoba. The city was short-lived, however, as it was sacked during a civil war and fell into ruin. Today, it is an archaeological site that offers invaluable insights into Islamic art, architecture, and civilization in medieval Spain.
Aydıntepe underground City
The Aydıntepe Underground City, located in the Aydıntepe district of Bayburt Province, Turkey, represents a significant archaeological and historical marvel. This ancient subterranean city was uncovered quite unexpectedly in 1988, during excavation works intended for a hotel construction, led by Hasbi Okumuş. Some sources, however, suggest the discovery took place a decade later, in 1998. Situated 25 km northwest of Bayburt, beneath a residential area, the city is an extraordinary example of human ingenuity and adaptation.
Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City are a testament to the ancient Liangzhu culture, which thrived around 3300-2300 BCE in the Yangtze Delta region of China. This site reveals a society that had developed a unique system of city planning, a hierarchically structured society, and a complex system of water conservation. It includes urban areas,…
Nevşehir Underground City
The Nevşehir Underground City is a vast subterranean network in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. Carved from the soft volcanic rock, the complex includes multiple levels with living spaces, stables, churches, and storage rooms. It’s part of a larger cluster of underground cities, but stands out due to its size and depth. The city is…
Kariz Underground City
The Kariz Underground City, also known as Kish Hydropolis, is a subterranean city located on Kish Island in Iran. It’s an ancient aqueduct system, also known as a ‘qanat’, which was transformed into an underground city. This remarkable site, which dates back over 2,500 years, showcases the ingenuity of ancient engineering. It was initially designed to collect, purify, and store water for the inhabitants of the island. Over time, it has been repurposed for various uses, including as a trading and storage center. The city’s labyrinthine tunnels stretch for several kilometers, offering a glimpse into the past civilizations that once thrived in this region.