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The Marvel of Ancient Structures & How They Make Us Feel?

While architecture deals with the process of designing, planning, and construction of buildings, over love for this science, which is also admired as an art form, is quite abundant. Many aficionados and enthusiasts still look for answers as a source of enlightenment by studying ancient structures and how they were constructed without the help of the latest technologies that we have at our disposal today. Truly a great architecture makes us marvel at it because it not only offers visual appeal, but they also help us resonate to build a connection with its past glory and the story behind the structure. This overflowing intrigue gets the best of architecture lovers and explorers, making them travel thousands of miles just to view a heritage site and soak in the splendor of what is left of it in the present day.
There is no doubt that many structures that have been discovered so far and that which still stand today offer tremendous stimulation to our minds making our thoughts to drift away thinking about how life would have been like in ancient times. In this post, we would like to share with you some of the oldest and the best structures that still stand today and continue to exhibit the grandeur that pours out of them from every corner. So let’s take a quick look at each one of them:

10 Ancient Structures That Are Still Standing

1.     Newgrange – Boyne Valley, Ireland

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This prehistoric monument located in the County Meath of Ireland at the north side of River Boyne is actually a grand passage tomb. It is a prideful discovery since Newgrange is widely believed to have been built around 3200 BC, thus making it older than the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge. Further studies revealed that it was a place of worship for an ancient group of people who greatly respected the dead. You can find fascinating megalithic art covering many of the larger stones that are bound to give you vibes of intelligent people of the past that were probably living ahead of their times. The Newgrange consists of more than 200,000 tons of rock and is 85 meters wide at its widest point.

2.     Great Wall of China

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This one needs no introduction, in fact, you would have probably seen it on television and the internet so many times that it may have lost its appeal to you. However, visiting the Wall and being there physically is a feeling that is worlds apart to this day. For starters, the Wall is 13,171 miles long, which means it is four times longer than the width of the US when measured horizontally from the West Coast Point Arena to the eastern seaboard West Quoddy Head. The earliest constructs of the Wall date back to 206 BC, while the most popular sections were made in the 14th century by the Ming Dynasty. Nevertheless, the Great Wall of China is considered as one of the most impressive architectural feats in the entirety of humankind’s history.

3.     Roman Coliseum

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Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Coliseum has been depicted in many movies, songs, and other popular media. It is considered as an iconic structure located at the very center of the city of Rome, Italy. During its time, the Coliseum had the capacity to accommodate 80,000 spectators. In the past, it was considered a prime venue for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, and various other forms of entertainment. It is also a popular tourist attraction, with over 7.4 million visitors in 2018 alone. You can also find the Coliseum printed on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin. The original construction was initiated in AD 72 by then emperor Vespasian and was completed 8 years later by his successor to the throne, Titus.

4.     The Egyptian Pyramids

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The great Egyptian Pyramids have been considered as a true marvel of ancient architecture that still stands today. Their complex design structures make them a topic for heated discussions and debates to this day. The most famous of the pyramids are those found in Giza, Cairo, while the largest of them is the Pyramid of Khufu. The Pyramid of Khufu is the only pyramid that makes the list of 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. It is also known as the Great Pyramid or the Pyramid of Cheops. Nearby the pyramid, you can also locate the Great Sphinx of Giza. The Great Pyramid was constructed in 2,580 BC using 2.3 million stone blocks and stands at an impressive height of 146.7 meters, covering 13 acres of land. If you ever get to write a detailed essay about this ancient wonder, make sure that you take help from Writing Ocean to score big on your paper.

5.     Aqueduct of Segovia, Spain

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A gigantic aqueduct bridge that towers over people at a maximum height of 28.5 meters. While the actual length of the construct is more than 15 kilometers long, it begins to show its splendor when it enters the inner parts of the city near Azoguejo Plaza. The aqueduct was primarily used for supplying water to the different parts of the city and constitutes both double and single arches that are supported with magnificent pillars. On a particular evening, the sun and the structure create a dance of shadows and light that are bound take your breath away. It has over 167 arches in total. Popular belief and recent studies show that it was constructed under the authority of Emperor Domitian in AD 81 and was completed seventeen years later in AD 98.

6.     Saint-Michel Tumulus, France

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Another megalithic grave mound making our list is the Tumulus of St. Michel located in Brittany, France and is also considerably the largest of its kind within Europe. The structure dates back to 5000 BC. It has been classified as a National Heritage Site since 1889.  On the summit, you can find the chapel of St Michel standing on top. With a height of 10 meters, 50 meters of width, and a length of 125 meters, there is a central chamber that was discovered in the 19th century. Public access to the site is strictly prohibited during times of historical research and other work-related events. Centre des Monuments Nationaux, a French government body runs the site to preserve and restore its glory.

7.     Roman Baths, England

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A well-preserved facility for bathing use during ancient Roman times, this large imperial bath complex is located in the city of Bath, Somerset, England. The bathing complex dates back to 60 AD. Due to its overwhelming presence, the Roman Baths contributed towards the development of many other urban settlements such as the Aquae Sulis. Today the most prominent portions of the site include the Roman Bath House, Roman Temple, and the Sacred Spring. It is reputedly considered as a major tourist attraction with more than 1.3 million visitors every year. However, the water today is considered poisonous. This is why tourists are allowed to tour the surrounding areas but are prohibited from entering the water. The museum offers showcases various displays that house lost artifacts and other objects that were retrieved from the Sacred Spring.

8.     The Pantheon, Rome

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With its Corinthian columns and a large portico in front of its cylindrical building, the Pantheon is absolutely majestic to behold at first sight. It features the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome that houses a central oculus that opens toward the sky. Considerably one of the best and most well-preserved buildings of the ancient Roman times has been a source of inspiration for many architects who later copied its style several times. The initial plan for the structure dates back to 31 BC; however, the construction of the current building dates back to 113 AD.  Ever since the Renaissance period, the Pantheon became an important burial place. The most notable people buried at the place include Raphael (famous Italian architect and painter) along with two Italian Kings Vittorio Emmanuel II and Umberto I.

9.     Roman Theater of Orange, France

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Built during the first century AD, and every year it’s the choice of venue for the Choregies d’Orange opera festival in August. The original purpose of the theater was to make people spend the majority of their free time to not only spread Roman culture but also to distract them from political activities. The entertainment forms included mime comedy, pantomime, poetry, and popular readings that lasted all day long and were completely open and free of charge for everyone to enjoy. The theater occupies a total area of 23.3 acres apart from a Buffer zone that stretches up to 290 acres. The original design allowed for a seating capacity of over 7000 people with a 61 meters long stage that is backed by a 37-meter high wall. By 1981 the venue became a UNESCO approved World Heritage Site.

10.  Palmyra, Syria

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The ancient Semitic city that exists in the present-day Homs Governorate of Syria Palmyra is a place to visit at least once in your lifetime. According to the archeologist, the city dates back to a Neolithic period which is roughly 12,000 years ago when the Stone Age reached its final division. Unfortunately, it was during the Syrian Civil War of 2015 when the ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) destroyed large parts of the ancient city. This irreversible loss will be bared by all of mankind and future generations. The condition of the city is more than ruined, however various structures still stand proudly defiant against the advances of the time. With enough support, this site could be reconstructed and preserved for future generations to explore.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that ancient architectures, buildings, constructs, and structures all carry a part of the ancient wisdom that might have been considered lost over time. However, one glimpse of these structures is more than enough to pique your interest and ask you a million questions at the same time. We hope that you enjoyed our compilations so far, and it was able to offer you some great insights about the different cultures and periods each of them represented. For more information about the topic, please feel free to share your feedback with us by mentioning your queries in the comment section below.
Author Bio:
Claudia Jeffery is a Content Strategist at Assignment Assistance where higher education students can seek out professional assistance and buy assignment online for their related academic work. During her free time, she likes to read, write, and share her latest findings that she comes across while surfing the web.