Unraveling History: 10 Ancient Wonders and The Legends Behind Them
May 20, 2024
Rome's Colosseum Hosted Gladiatorial Contests, Public Spectacles, and Political Events
From the towering majesty of the Great Pyramids of Giza to the breathtaking beauty of Petra's rose-red city hewn into the cliffs of Jordan, from the mystical allure of Stonehenge's ancient monoliths to the hidden splendor of Machu Picchu nestled amidst the Peruvian Andes, these ancient wonders beckon us to unravel their mysteries. Join us on an extraordinary journey as we delve into the stories behind these architectural masterpieces, exploring the ingenuity, the artistry, and the profound significance that have ensured their enduring place in the tapestry of human achievement. Let us embark together on a voyage through time, where each step unveils a new chapter in the rich narrative of our shared heritage.
A skilled labor force constructed the Colosseum in Rome between 70 and 80 AD under Emperor Vespasian and his successor, Titus. It was a vibrant social hub where people from all walks of life gathered to socialize, network, and celebrate various events where seating arrangements reflected the strict social hierarchy of Roman society. The Colosseum also served as a venue for political events and public ceremonies, including imperial triumphs, religious festivals, and state-sponsored spectacles.
Furthermore, the Colosseum was used for public executions and punishments. It was a stark reminder of the consequences of defying Roman law and authority.
Egypt's Pyramid and Sphinx Possibly Serve as Royal Burial Tombs
The pyramids and Sphinx were built in ancient Egypt, around 2600 to 2100 BCE as massive tombs for the pharaohs. In addition to their bodies, the pyramids held treasures that the pharos and their followers thought they would need in the afterlife. Sometimes, humans were buried in the tombs, alongside the leader because it was believed these people would serve the pharaoh in the afterlife - obviously this was not great of the servants.
The construction of the pyramids involved a massive labor force made up of workers who used simple tools such as ropes, sledges, and wooden levers to transport and lift the heavy limestone and granite blocks into place. Different techniques were used, but researchers still debate precisely what methods were employed. Regardless of how they were constructed, the pyramids remain some of the greatest achievements ever created by mankind.
Experts Speculate England's Stonehenge Was a Ceremonial Site or an Astronomical Observatory
The construction of Stonehenge has long mystified researchers. How was it built so precisely? Why put giant rocks in these positions? We just don't know.
One theory suggests that Stonehenge was an astronomical observatory. The structure seems aligned with celestial events, such as the solstices and equinoxes. This alignment indicates an advanced understanding of celestial mechanics, underscoring the monument's potential role in marking significant moments in the agricultural calendar.
Alternatively, Stonehenge may have functioned as a religious temple. People could have used it as a sacred space for rituals, ceremonies, and worship. Its circular layout, towering stones, and carefully crafted architecture certainly suggest a site of spiritual significance.
Another possibility is that Stonehenge served as a burial ground where the remains of revered individuals were interred. Offerings and ceremonial artifacts would have accompanied the bodies of anyone at this sites, and burial mounds and cremation pits in the vicinity support this idea. Even though we'll never truly know the intention of Stonehenge we can always marvel at its surreal presence in our every day lives.
Petra, Jordan May Have Been a Royal Capital
The Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab tribe, constructed the incredible rock-cut architecture of Petra into the sandstone cliffs of Jordan. How cool is that?
The city served as the capital of their kingdom from around the 4th century BCE to the 2nd century CE, and during that time the tribe carved intricate structures directly into the rose-red sandstone cliffs, like temples, tombs, theaters, and water channels. Many of the buildings were spectacular, helping showcase the tribe's prosperity.
Petra became a strategic location linking Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean along the trade routes where spices, incense, silk, and precious metals were the name of the game.
Petra's location amidst rugged desert terrain provided natural defenses, with the surrounding cliffs and narrow canyons offered protection from potential invaders, allowing the Nabataeans to develop and flourish in relative security.
The Great Wall of China's Purpose Spans Defense, Trade Regulation, and Cultural Symbolism
The Great Wall of China stretches over thousands of miles across northern China. Work on it began in the 7th century BCE but continued for several centuries. Its initial purpose was primarily to defend China from invasions by nomadic tribes and other aggressors from the north with soldiers stationed along the wall could quickly mobilize to respond to threats.
The wall also acted as a barrier controlling the flow of goods entering and leaving China. At the time, checkpoints were established along the wall where officials monitored trade activities and collected tariffs. Trade regulations helped protect China's economy, control the movement of valuable commodities, and generate revenue for the imperial treasury.
In addition, the Great Wall exerted control over immigration and emigration. Guard towers and checkpoints along the wall helped prevent the infiltration of foreign spies or saboteurs, manage population movements, and enforce imperial policies regarding residency and citizenship.
The Acropolis of Athens Blended Worship, Governance, and Cultural Expression
Workers began constructing the Acropolis of Athens as early as the 13th century BCE and continued until about the 5th century BCE. Built primarily as a religious and cultural center, the Acropolis honors the city's patron deity, Athena, and other gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon. Workers used locally sourced limestone and marble quarried from Mount Pentelicus, located northeast of Athens, to construct it using traditional techniques. Laborers used human power, wooden sledges, and possibly wheeled carts to transport massive blocks to the Acropolis site.
At the heart of the Acropolis stands the Parthenon, a monumental temple dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the virgin goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare. But that's not the only monument held within this ancient structure - The Acropolis also housed other important religious structures, including the Erechtheion, dedicated to Athena and Poseidon, and the Temple of Athena Nike, dedicated to Athena as the goddess of victory.
Purposes of Mexico's Chichen Itza Included Religious Ceremonies, Astronomical Observations, and Political Influence
Chichen Itza was the Mayan's major political, economic, and religious center from around the 7th to 10th century CE, with many people living there. It was home to temples, pyramids, palaces, and observatories. The complex was constructed around a central plaza containing the most important buildings, and around that was where you'd find residential neighborhoods, administrative centers, and agricultural fields. Chichen Itza's strategic location allowed it to control trade routes and maintain political influence over neighboring city-states.
The decline of Chichen Itza in the 10th century is thought to have been due to environmental challenges, such as droughts and deforestation which may have led to agricultural difficulties and resource scarcity. Additionally, political unrest within the city and larger societal conflicts in the region could have contributed to internal strife and instability. Furthermore, trade routes and economic network changes may have reduced the city's access to vital resources and trading partners.
Was the Purpose of Peru's Machu Picchu Religious, Ceremonial, or Administrative?
Some time around the 15th century Incan workers constructed Machu Picchu as a citadel which was used for about 100 years before being abandoned. No one knows the exact purpose of this site, which is surrounded by steep cliffs, but experts believe it was a royal estate or religious sanctuary for the Inca's elite.
The site's stone buildings, terraced fields, and intricate drainage system blend harmoniously with the natural landscape as laborers constructed most of the site without using mortar. One of the most iconic structures is the Temple of the Sun, which has carved stonework precisely aligning with the sun's movements, solstices, and equinoxes which have been used for ceremonial or astronomical purposes.
Columbia's Angkor Wat Exhibits Cultural Fusion as a Hindu and Buddhist Temple
People during the Khmer Empire in the early 12th century constructed Angkor Wat as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. Under the reign of King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century or early 13th century, it was transformed into a beautiful Buddhist temple. The main pyramid temple has carvings, bas-reliefs, and galleries depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and Khmer history, and it's surrounded by five towers, symbolizing the peaks of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods in Hindu cosmology. These highly visible towers - as well as the 400-acre property and its causeways, terraces, and libraries - are designed to encourage people to seek spiritual enlightenment.
Easter Island's Moai Statues Honored Ancestors While Serving as Status Symbols
Vera & Jean-Christophe - Flickr
The indigenous Rapa Nui people carved Easter Island's Moai statues between the 13th and 16th centuries as a way to honor and revere ancestors, with each one representing a deceased chief or other prominent individuals. Each carving was placed on a stone platform, which served as an ancestral altar or burial site, further emphasizing their role in ancestral worship and commemoration. These sites served as sacred spaces where rituals, ceremonies, and offerings were made to honor ancestors and appease their spirits.
The Moai statues may have also served as symbols of status, power, and prestige for chiefs because they required organizing labor and obtaining resources. Erecting a Moai statue was a large undertaking requiring considerable manpower and craftsmanship that we're still astounded by today.
