Top 10 Ancient Lost Cities Of The World
Shrouded in mystery and lost in the shadow of time, the cities emanate a sense of wonder that captivates both historians and dreamers alike. Once teeming with life and activity, these cities have disappeared from the pages of history, leaving only fragments of their existence. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the top 10 Lost Cities Of The World, that have disappeared from the pages of history.
Lost Cities Of The World - Article Objectives
In this article, we’ll uncover the secrets of 10 remarkable lost cities that left an indelible mark on history. From the mythical Atlantis to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, we’ll unearth the stories behind these vanished urban wonders. Through meticulous research and captivating narratives, we aim to shed light on these once-prosperous civilizations’ rise, fall, and often mysterious disappearance. We will try to uncover each city’s unique architecture, cultural significance, and the secrets behind their decline
Lost Cities Of The World
1. Atlantis: The Legendary Sunken City
A famous story about a city called Atlantis has been told for a very long time. Atlantis was a special city that was very beautiful and had many good things in it. But something tragic happened and the city disappeared in a great disaster. The story of Atlantis comes from a wise man named Plato. He wrote about this in his “Timaeus” and “Critias” books.
Atlantis is a magical city that some people believe to be real and some people think that it is just a story. People imagine that Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Hercules (what is now called the Strait of Gibraltar). According to Plato, Atlantis had wonderful buildings, intelligent people, and even canals with water.
Plato said that Atlantis was created by a powerful god named Poseidon and that the people there were very special. But then, something went wrong. People became proud and started doing bad things. Because of this, the gods sent great earthquakes and floods to punish Atlantis. The city sank into the water and disappeared.
Some people think that Atlantis is like a lesson in a story. Others think that maybe it was a real city that got lost in the water. Even though we don’t know for sure, the story of Atlantis is interesting because it teaches us about good and bad things and makes us think about the past in a particular way.
2. Pompeii: An ancient Roman city
A long time ago, in the great Roman Empire, there was a city called Pompeii. It was a lively and bustling place, filled with houses, shops, and the sounds of people busy with their daily lives. Pompeii was located near a huge and powerful volcano known as Mount Vesuvius.
However, on one unfortunate day of Pompeii’s luck, Mount Vesuvius suddenly erupted. It spewed a fiery mixture of fiery lava, hot ash and rock fragments. This catastrophic event happened so quickly that the people of Pompeii had little time to react.
Due to the eruption of the volcano, ash and debris started raining on the city. The ash grew rapidly and covered everything in its path. Trapped in their homes, streets and public spaces, the people of Pompeii were caught in the midst of nature’s fury. The city was buried under layers of ash, preserving it like a snapshot of history.
For many years Pompeii was hidden under ashes and forgotten by the world. But as time went on, archaeologists unearthed the lost city. What they found was surprising: Pompeii was remarkably well preserved. Over time the buildings, roads and even the belongings of the residents got covered with ash.
Walking the streets of Pompeii today, you can almost hear ancient footsteps and the hustle and bustle of daily life. The city’s ruins offer a remarkable glimpse into the past, helping us to understand how people lived, worked and interacted in ancient Rome. The disaster that befell Pompeii was tragic, but its preservation has given us a unique window into history that continues to captivate our imagination.
3. Machu Picchu: The Lost Incan Citadel
Many years ago, high in the Andes Mountains of South America, an amazing city named Machu Picchu was hidden from the world. It was built by the Inca civilization, a group of skilled people who lived in the region.
Machu Picchu, among the lost Cities of the World was different from any other city. It was situated on the top of a mountain, surrounded by lush green forests and breathtaking views. The Inca people created magnificent stone buildings, temples and terraces that seemed to blend in seamlessly with the natural landscape.
However, as time went on, the city was abandoned and forgotten by most. The reasons for its abandonment remain a mystery, although some say it may have been due to a change in the empire or disease.
Machu Picchu remained hidden for many years until it was rediscovered in the early 20th century by an explorer named Hiram Bingham. He was amazed to see the beauty and historical importance of the city. Today, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most famous archaeological treasures.
Tourists come from all over the world to see the wonder of Machu Picchu. They travel into the mountains to search for ancient stone structures that have stood the test of time. The city’s hidden beauty, rich history, and the secrets hidden in its past capture the hearts of those who head to this lost Inca citadel.
4. Angkor Wat: The Amazing Lost Kingdom
A long time ago there was a powerful kingdom in Cambodia called the Khmer Empire. This empire built a grand city known as Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat, next in our Lost Cities of the World, was a huge complex with tall towers, intricate carvings, and huge temples. The Khmer people built this city as a place of worship and the center of their kingdom.
But as time passed, the empire declined and people forgot about Angkor Wat. The jungle covered the city hiding it from the world.
Years later, explorers found this hidden treasure in the woods. They were amazed by the incredible buildings and the stories they told. Today, Angkor Wat is a famous place where people from all over the world come to learn about the history and culture of the Khmer people.
Angkor Wat Temple
The Angkor Wat temple complex, in Cambodia was one of the largest Hindu temple complexes and is the largest religious monument in the world. It is like a treasure from a long time ago, which shows how clever and creative the people of those times were.
This temple has many elaborate carvings and tall towers, making it amazing. Built around 900 years ago at the beginning of the 12th century, this temple was first built by the people as a Hindu temple and later it was converted into a Buddhist site.
5. Teotihuacan: City of the Gods in Mexico
A very old city called Teotihuacan existed in Mexico from about 1 AD to 500 AD popular as the “City of the Gods” among the people here. This special city was built with big pyramids and amazing buildings. People think that the gods helped build it, and that’s why it got its name.
Even though the people who settled in this site of Lost Cities of the World Teotihuacan are no more, their incredible buildings are still there. When you walk around Teotihuacan, it’s like stepping back in time.
You can see how clever the people of that time were, how big and beautiful they made things. It is like a magical place that helps us connect with history and shows what humans can achieve.
6. Mohenjo-Daro: Indus Valley Civilization
Photo Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0
Mohenjo-Daro was the main city of the Indus Valley Civilization that existed between 2600 and 1900 BC and became extinct long ago. It was a very smart and well-planned city, with clean streets and sturdy buildings, which showed that the people of that time were really advanced, organized, and good at building things.
Mohenjo-Daro, one of the ancient Lost Cities Of The World, was discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 1920s. The population of the city is estimated to be around 40,000 or more.
Mohenjo-Daro was located on the right bank of the Indus River in the Sindh province of Pakistan (British India). The city was a sparsely populated place with markets, houses, and even a complex drainage system. But for some reason, it disappeared, and no one knows how it was destroyed.
7. Tikal: Mayan Marvel in the Guatemalan Jungle
An incredible location in the dense jungle of Guatemala, Tikal developed into a huge city a long time ago, around 400 BC, during the time of the Maya civilization.
The city of Tikal has tall and impressive structures and was teeming with life. At its peak, 100,000 people lived there, worshiping in temples and studying the stars.
The city of Tikal was forgotten and remains one of the ancient lost cities of the world. A forest grew over it, which covered it until explorers arrived and rediscovered this hidden wonder in the 19th century.
The ruins of Tikal include hundreds of structures, including palaces, temples, and other public buildings. The tallest structure is Temple IV, which is about 70 meters or 230 ft tall.
8. Petra: The Rose-Red City Carved in Stone
Petra is a historical city located in Jordan and was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, an ancient Arab civilization, around 300 BC.
Petra is also nicknamed “The Rose-Red City” as it’s not built with bricks and mortar but carved directly into rose-red cliffs and rocks.
Its most famous structure is the Al-Khazneh, also known as the Treasury, a stunning temple carved into the rock face.
The city’s location in the desert helped protect it, but it was also forgotten for many centuries. It was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.
Today, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Visitors from around the globe come to marvel at its unique architecture and learn about its rich history.
9. Great Zimbabwe: A Medieval African Mystery
Photo Credit: Think Africa
Great Zimbabwe is an archaeological site in southern Africa, located in present-day Zimbabwe. It was once the center of a powerful and advanced African civilization.
Great Zimbabwe was built between the 11th and 15th centuries, making it one of the oldest stone cities in Southern Africa and one of the Top Ancient Lost Cities Of The World.
The site is known for its massive stone walls, enclosures, and structures made of carefully cut granite blocks. Some of these blocks are so large that it is a mystery how they were transported and placed.
Great Zimbabwe was a thriving trade center, linking the interior of southern Africa with trade routes to the Indian Ocean. It traded with distant civilizations such as China and Persia in commodities such as gold, ivory, and pearls.
At its peak, Great Zimbabwe probably had a population of several thousand people. However, the city was abandoned for unclear reasons. Some theories suggest changes in environmental factors or trade routes.
Great Zimbabwe was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 because of its historical and cultural importance. The stone tower at Great Zimbabwe, known as the “Great Enclosure”, is an iconic symbol of the nation and appears on the national flag of Zimbabwe.
Today, Great Zimbabwe is a popular tourist destination, attracting tourists from around the world who come to see its remarkable stone ruins and learn about its fascinating history.
10. Roanoke Colony: The Vanishing Settlers
A long time ago, in what is now the United States, there was a place called Roanoke Island. People from England came to establish a new settlement there. They called it the Roanoke Colony.
In the late 1500s, the British sent brave men and women to build a new home in Roanoke. They faced hard times, but things seemed fine for a while. Then, their leader, John White, had to return to England for supplies. When he returned, everyone was gone, and the only clue was the word “Croatian” written on a tree.
To this day, no one is sure what happened to the Roanoke residents. Some people think they went to live with Native American people, Croatian people. Others believe that he faced hardships and got lost in the forest.
The story of the Roanoke Colony is a real-life mystery that continues to fascinate people today. It’s a piece of history that disappeared just like the settlers, leaving us to question and wonder about their fate and join the lost cities of the world.
