8 Ancient Architectural Wonders Outside the Famous Seven
Most people are familiar with the Famous Seven, aka the world’s most popular wonders. These historical marvels have existed throughout the growth of communities, the downfalls of economies, and thrived at the height of tourism. Although these architectural beauties garner plenty of attention, and for good reason, there are other magnificent gems to discover that are less recognizable. A vast collection of ancient architectural anomalies still exists in its original splendor, waiting to be explored, just like the more renowned ones. Below are eight ancient architectural sites outside the Famous Seven.
Temple of Luxor, Egypt
Defined as “The Palaces” in Arabic, the Temple of Luxor is a dedication to the Theban trio of the king of gods, Amon, the goddess Mut, and the young god Khons. Sitting alongside the Nile River, the temple was built in the late 18th dynasty. The construction was authorized by King Amenhotep III and was completed over time through the oversight of other Egyptian rulers. The temple is comprised of a peristyle court of papyrus-cluster columns, a range of chambers, and its best highlight, a 14-pillar colonnade. The Temple of Luxor has been acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, officially making it an architectural and historical wonder.
The temple was created to express the Egyptian ways of Ka, the concept of one’s individual and spiritual identity, and Ma’at, the idea of eternal order. These themes are prevalent throughout the temple’s architecture as a record of the basis for ancient Egyptian hierarchy and society. This ancient structure exists as a dedication to the foundational concepts of Royal Ka and Ma’at rather than a singular deity or ruler, making this temple more intriguing because rulers in ancient Egypt were quite fond of erecting statues of themselves, but instead opted to continue their cultural traditions.
Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan
In a gathering of rocky ruins lies Mohenjo-Daro, the remnants of the once-existing Indus Civilization. Located in Sindh, Pakistan, lies the wonder known as “the mound of the dead,” signifying a major discovery of this ancient civilization recognized in the early 1920s. The mounds of Mohenjo-Daro were once home to the largest city of the civilization, acknowledged as a capital city of its time. This UNESCO World Heritage site comprises blocks or “islands” over 1,000 feet that were once a series of structures, including a veranda, granary, assembly halls, a ceremonial citadel, and courtyard houses. Having been ravaged by floods in the past, this 3rd-millennium BC structure was once a strong and still-standing architectural marvel of one of the world's most ancient civilizations—one with an intricate drainage system, practiced priesthood, and an orderly social and economic system.
Pantheon, Rome
Roman architecture is indeed well-known worldwide, and the Pantheon is a wonderful example. Beginning in 27 BC, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a confidante of Augustus, initiated the construction of this temple. A dedication to the Roman gods, the Pantheon is one of the only ancient Roman structures still standing, primarily in its original state. A monument representing Rome’s magnificent history as an inspiration to Raphael, a dedication to the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres, and an architectural muse since the Renaissance. The building is comprised of Corinthian columns, original Roman inscriptions, and its most popular feature, the hemispherical ceiling dome. The Pantheon is remarkable for its design, with perfect spherical dimensions of 43 m and 44 cm by 43 m and 44 cm. This structure’s interior is an exemplary antique of the ancient world and speaks to Rome’s long and beautiful history.
Göbekli Tepe, Türkiye
The megalithic structures created by the hunters and gatherers of Upper Mesopotamia are known as Göbekli Tepe. During the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Age, this ancient site was home to social events and funerary rituals. Even today, visitors can see what life was like in Mesopotamian times through the carved images of people and animals on the site’s limestone T-shaped pillars. A monument reminiscent of the most ancient farming communities, Göbekli Tepe reflects the architectural and engineering advancements of its civilization, as well as its hierarchical social structure. This site is 6,000 years older than Stonehenge, making it an even more curious antiquity as its true purpose remains unidentified.
Stonehenge, England
The famous Stonehenge is a large space of prehistoric stones perfectly placed in a circular formation, potentially acting as a religious or funerary site. The reason why it was created is unknown to this day, but many have theorized that it could have also been a monument to its creators’ ancestors, a healing centre, or a site to observe the sun and moon. The prehistoric stone shrine was erected in stages, pinpointing its construction from the Neolithic Period to the Bronze Age. Stonehenge seen in the present is incomplete, with many of its original stones broken or removed. Today, the still-standing monument is one of the most famous world wonders.
Megalithic Temples, Malta
The Megalithic Temples of Malta are far less known than most ancient structures. The site consists of seven temples: Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Skorba, Ta’ Ħaġrat and Tarxien. In the present day, these structures are simply a series of stone structures, but in history, these temples were architectural accomplishments considering the lack of resources available for construction at the time. The temples are a feat of the prehistoric culture and community that built them, acknowledging a civilization of great architectural and technological advancement. From the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC, each temple had a unique purpose and differing features. Ħaġar Qim is made of stone slab walls and beaten earth flooring. Mnajdra is constructed of globigerina and coralline limestone, with one of the entrances acting as an indicator of sunrises and sunsets throughout the seasons. Ta' Ħaġrat is one of the more popular temples, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Skorba was home to domestic huts and structures of stone and mudbrick.
Newgrange, Ireland
In Ireland, there is the mysterious Newgrange, a large mound of stones built by Stone Age farmers. It is portrayed as a tomb or grave and features a series of zigzags, spirals, and other carved patterns. Newgrange is believed to have served as a tool for tracking astronomical events, effectively functioning as a calendar. This ancient wonder is constructed with a narrow passage, large stone slabs, and a small burial chamber. Irish mythology tells of Oengus, the son of a pre-Christian chief god, who deceived his father into owning the tomb. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Newgrange offers a unique experience when sunlight enters the tomb each year during the winter solstice.
Pyramid of the Sun, Mexico
The Pyramids of Giza are likely the most famous pyramids in the world, but the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico deserves equal recognition. This ancient wonder is a source of pride for the city of Teotihuacán, dating back to around 100 CE and reaching 216 feet in height. The pyramid was built using approximately 1,000,000 cubic yards of various materials, such as tezontle, a red volcanic rock native to the area. Although the purpose of this pyramid remains unclear, it has been linked to extensive archaeological findings. These include animal bones, obsidian stone fragments, shards of clay pots, and greenstone figurines of humans, along with a figure of the Mesoamerican god Huehueteotl.
This vast world of wonders illustrates how civilizations have risen and fallen. Economies have expanded, architecture has advanced, and communities have left their marks on history. These structures are architectural gems of the ancient world, offering different perspectives on humanity. As impressive as the famous world wonders are, this list of ancient wonders is far more intriguing and less popular, making them ideal attractions. The list includes pyramids from regions outside Egypt and stone slabs that are not strictly European!
