Top Archaeological Sites Around the World

BY The Modern East Staff

The world is full of wonders. Among them are some truly spectacular archaeological sites that have managed to remain standing, even though time marches on. Archaeologists and tourists alike flock to these sites to learn, to witness, and to be wowed. Visiting any of these locations would make for an epic check mark on many a bucket list. Here are our top picks for awe-inspiring archaeological sites around the world.

The Pyramids of Giza // Egypt

Try to think of places of archaeological significance, and this is likely what first springs to mind. Built around 4500 years ago, the pyramids still rise, larger than life, out of the desert. While modern-day urban sprawl has begun to nudge up to this enduring and impressive display of craftsmanship and culture, the view is still one that will take your breath away. Scholars still debate just how exactly these impressive structures were truly built. But, even the sands of time have not been able to erase their impressive presence.

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@mindblowingtravels TAG someone who needs to SEE THIS 🌍 The PYRAMIDS of Giza are the OLDEST of the seven WORLD WONDERS 😍 It's still a MYSTERY how the ancient EGYPTIANS built it 🇪🇬 • • • #egyptian #pyramidsofgiza #giza #gizapyramids #sphinxcat #dronestagram #egypt🇪🇬 #pyramidsegypt #gizeh #world__wanderlust_

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Ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum // Italy

These two sister cities near modern-day Naples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Around 79 A.D., both cities would be destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted over the course of two days. Pompeii was lost under between 4 to 6 meters of ash and debris. There it would lie, hidden, until the late 1500’s when it was accidentally rediscovered. Here you’ll see where time simply stopped, and how the catastrophe caught people unawares. Herculaneum citizens did fare a bit better and were mostly evacuated before tragedy struck. Both cities are big tourist draws.

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Pompeii – We were amazed the roads are so well preserved in Pompeii the worn out grooves from repeated wagon wheels can be seen. The houses still have the frescos on the walls, merchant stoves can still be seen along the roadway and of course the mummified bodies of people and dogs. Literally frozen in time. See our stories for more. Photo by us with a #nikoncamera . . . Who would you take here? Have you been? Did you love it? . Follow @weliketovacation Follow @weliketovacation . . . #pompeii #pompeiitaly #travelcommunity #travelcouples #travellingthroughtheworld #traveltheworld #couplesthatravel #borntotravel #traveladdicted #italytravel #travelustcouples #mediterranean #mediterraneanlife #passionfortravel #europe #italianfood #italian #europeantravel #volcano #amalfi #summervibes #springvibes #amalficoast #naplesitaly @pompeii_parco_archeologico @luxuryworldtraveler @wonderful_places @beautifuldestinations @earthpix @natgeotravel @expedia @travelzoo @travelzooau @travelzoo_uk @cntraveler @condenasttaveller @luxurytraveldaily @coupleslovetravel

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Machu Picchu // Peru

Built for an Inca emperor back in the 1500’s, Machu Picchu rises high above the Urubamba Valley in Peru. It sits atop a high mountain ridge in the Andes. If you look up “scenic” in the dictionary, you might just find a picture of Machu Picchu there. The buildings of the site are of great archaeological value, and it is considered the best symbol of the Inca society. There are over 140 parks, temples, buildings, homes, and sanctuaries located within the site. You’ll find it at the end of the famous Inca Trail. What a finale. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes if you wish to make the hike to explore its splendor.

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Una imagen de la ciudad de Machu Picchu, un claro ejemplo de las denominadas "llaqtas" en el Imperio Inca. Una llaqta era una especie de ciudad cuya principal función era el labor administrativo. Por lo general se encontraban funcionarios del imperio, así como también autoridades religiosas. Junto a este grupo, el restante de la población era por lo general aquellos que debían realizar la "mita". La mita era un sistema de trabajo impuesto por el estado cuyo objetivo principal era el desarrollo de obras públicas destinadas a mejorar la interconexión y la administración del territorio. Se realizaban obras como templos, caminos, fortalezas o acueductos. Debían realizarlo los varones de todos los pueblos en el imperio, que a cambio de enviar a parte de su población recibían un pago o retribución. Este sistema era por temporadas, por lo que a diferencia de las ciudades "normales" las llaqtas pudieran no estar habitadas de forma continua. El sistema de mita demostró ser muy eficiente, tanto así que posterior a la conquista de América y por ende del Imperio Inca por parte del Imperio Español, el sistema de mita se mantuvo y se adaptó a las necesidades de las nuevas autoridades de la región. #instafact #historia #latinoamerica #peru #machupicchu #inca #americanhistory #ancient #culture #spain #mita #fact #history #datos #instahistory #instapic #instagram #historyfacts #chile #santiago #cusco #lima

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Stonehenge // England

Old and mysterious, you can’t have a list of top archaeological sites and not include Stonehenge. Theories of its purpose have ranged from a pagan place of worship to an early calendar that followed the stars and other celestial bodies. Recent studies show that perhaps the earliest phases of Stonehenge date all the way back to around 3100 BC. Today, many visitors consider it an important part of their visit to the country. It is also thought that at some point, Stonehenge may have served as a burial ground. Cremated remains found at the site indicate that for the span of about 500 years, burials did take place here. Some date all the way back to 3000 BC.