Challenge Ancient Civilizations: 10 of the World’s Most Puzzling Historical Sites

By Rita

Are you the kind of person who gazes at the night sky wondering how humanity came to be? If you have a philosophical or historical mind, you might enjoy travel itineraries themed around ancient civilizations. The internationally renowned travel magazine *Traveler* compiled10 Famous Historical Sites Around the World— these civilizations often come with enduring mysteries that only add to their allure for travelers. Do you like the sound of it? Why not try this route on your next overseas trip?

1. Terracotta Army – Xi’an, China (Image credit: Wikipedia, same below)
In 1974, a tractor digging in Xi’an in northwestern China unearthed the head of a statue, revealing to the world this mausoleum of 8,000 terracotta warriors, who were buried alongside China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Few emperors in China built their own tombs while still in power, but Qin Shi Huang took the matter very seriously. To keep the location of the tomb secret, he had all the builders and artists involved buried alive.

2. Roman Baths – Bath, England (Image above)
Originally a sacred site for the Celts dedicated to their goddess, the area became a public bathhouse after the Roman conquest. Visitors can explore the site and even sample the local spring water afterward.

3. Moai Statues – Chile (Image above)
The island at the southeastern edge of Polynesia is home to many fascinating sculptures. The varying statues are believed to have been carved by descendants of the Rapa Nui people to symbolize their ancestors, but how the stones were transported from the quarry to the hills remains a hot topic in archaeology.

4. Petra – Jordan (Image above)
This site was used as the filming location for *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*. Flourishing since prehistoric times, it became ruins after an earthquake. Rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer, its intricate systems and exquisite rose-colored stone carvings amazed the archaeological world and it is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

5. Pueblo Indian Ruins – New Mexico, USA (Image above)
Located at the border of Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, this cultural park is famed for its prehistoric Pueblo Indian ruins, featuring up to 350 underground rooms and 35 ceremonial kivas.

6. Machu Picchu – Peru (Image above)
Here, you can witness the development of agriculture, urban planning, and religion in the region.

7. Delphi – Greece (Image above)
The Greeks considered this place the center of the world. If you get the chance to visit this sacred site, you’ll enjoy a picturesque mountain town and a break from the hustle and bustle of Athens.

8. Montezuma Castle National Monument – Arizona, USA (Image above)
Built into a cliff by the Sinagua Native Americans, this is a pre-Columbian cultural site in the U.S. Southwest. It features 20 rooms within a five-story structure built into a limestone cliff, with well-preserved alcoves.

9. Angkor Wat – Cambodia (Image above)
Spanning approximately 250 square miles, Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument. Built during the Khmer Empire, the entire complex embodies Hindu cosmology and attracts visitors worldwide each year to admire its stunning engineering and spiritual atmosphere.

10. Tikal – Guatemala (Image above)
Tikal is one of the most important pre-Columbian Mayan sites, featuring temples, palaces, and other social structures. At its peak, it housed around 120,000 residents. You can climb to the top of the temples to take in the surrounding rainforest.

Image source: Wikipedia