More Unique Archaeological Sites You Should Visit

Archaeological sites and ancient ruins are popular tourist destinations because of their unique beauty and history. As you know, there is something magical about exploring these sites, knowing that civilizations or cultures once flourished in that area. Fortunately, numerous religious and cultural sites have withstood the test of time. We have mentioned some of the famous ancient sites in our previous post. However, we believe that there are a lot of unique archaeological sites that you should visit. So, here are more unique ancient places worth visiting.

Cliff Palace – USA

The Cliff Palace is a magnificent archaeological site in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. According to historical records, this building was made by the Anasazi or the Ancestral Puebloans 900 years ago. However, it was abandoned probably due to the long drought in the region.

The Cliff Palace has more than 150 rooms and about 23 kivas or ceremonial areas. As such, archaeologists believed it was a central area for the Anasazi. Unfortunately, the site was damaged in the late 1800s to early 1900s due to looters, scientists, and other curious individuals. The good news is that the federal government is now protecting this archaeological site.

Petra – Jordan

One of the unique archaeological sites that you should visit is Petra in Southern Jordan. It is a rose-red city created by the Nabataeans around the time Jesus Christ was born. This city is a magnificent place not only because of its red sandstone. Remember, Petra was built in the Jordanian desert, which is inhospitable.

This rose-red city offers numerous attractions. One, in particular, is the Treasury of Pharaoh, which is located at the entrance of Petra. Another great feature of this ancient site is the royal tombs, a series of mausoleums with exceptional facades.

Unfortunately, Petra was abandoned when the spice started to be transported via maritime routes. Today, this archaeological site attracts thousands of tourists from around the world.

Domus Aurea – Italy

The last on this list of unique archaeological sites that you should visit is the Domus Aurea in Italy. This archaeological site was built by Emperor Nero from 64 to 68 C.E. However, he died before completing his project.

After Emperor Nero’s death, Domus Aurea was stripped of its valuables, including gold, ivory, marble, and jewels. The Romans used these materials for the construction of other buildings in Rome. From there, the locals had forgotten the site for centuries.

In the 15th century, Domus Aurea was rediscovered when famous artists like Michelangelo and Raphael entered the ruins. In fact, these artists used the site as an inspiration for their artworks. Today, about 30% of the site has been excavated and restored. Unfortunately, millions of dollars are needed to restore this ancient landscape.