7 of the world’s most iconic ancient sites

Is it the link to the past and our fascination with how our predecessors lived? Why else would we flock in our millions to see a crumbling structure, imagining people walking on the same patch of earth thousands of years ago. What were they doing? What did they look like? How did they live? Even travellers who generally prefer a book under a palm tree can be roused from their sunlounger to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A few of these feature in our list of top ancient sites, so get ready to travel back in time as we explore some of the best archaeology tours you can take around the world.

The mysterious pyramids of Giza, Egypt

Archaeologists are still debating how ancient Egyptian craftsmen built these huge and precise structures around 4,500 years ago using the simplest tools. Each of the massive stone building blocks weighs between 25 and 80 tonnes, and is laid with such architectural precision that there are almost no gaps between the stones. The pyramids were burial chambers for the pharaohs, who were deified in death and commissioned their own colossal tombs. Of the three main pyramids, the Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest, built for pharaoh Khufu around 2,600 B.C. At over 145m it was the world’s tallest man-made building for more than 3,800 years, and is one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Visit early in the morning and imagine the pyramids with their original casing of white limestone, dazzling in the desert sun.

The lost city of Machu Picchu, Peru

Peru‘s 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is another deeply enigmatic ancient site. Historians estimate that only around 1,000 people lived there at any one time, a relatively small settlement by Inca standards, so what was its purpose? It’s believed to have been a royal estate or sacred religious site for Inca leaders, whose civilisation was virtually wiped out by Spanish invaders in the 16th century. Often referred to as the Lost City of the Incas, it was never exactly lost – the site was known to local people and inhabited by some farmers when it was ‘discovered’ by an American historian and explorer.

Today you can see around 200 well-preserved stone buildings and terraces built with the Inca technique of cutting and shaping individual stones to fit together perfectly without using mortar. Some structures align perfectly with the planets and stars, and during the summer solstice, the sun shines through one temple window aligning with a boulder inside it and the tip of a nearby mountain peak. However, it’s the beautiful and dramatic setting, almost 2,500m above sea-level among the Andes and in the middle of tropical cloud forest, that draws millions of visitors who wander among the ruins and admire the views of the Sacred Valley below.

Historic Petra, Jordan

Jordan‘s Petra is another ‘lost’ city and another remote location in a desert valley, nestled among sandstone mountains and cliffs. Built in the 3rd century B.C., Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, and a place where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture. There are dozens of tombs, temples and dwellings carved into the pink and gold sandstone, which change colour with the shifting sun and enthrall visitors to Petra in their millions.

The best archaeological journeys start with anticipation and a sense of entering a different world. Visitors arrive at Petra via the Siq, a dramatic natural winding gorge through the rock and a sensory experience, passing the Obelisk Tomb and the Bab as-Siq Triclinium. The gorge emerges at the most iconic image of Petra, the elaborate carved facade known as Al-Khazneh (The Treasury). It was made famous by the world’s best-known – albeit fictional – archaeologist, Indiana Jones, in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

The ancient sites of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s most famous archaeological attractions, and one of its most beautiful and mystical. The site takes its name from the largest and most iconic temple among hundreds of surviving structures that made up the capital city of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to 15th centuries. Wandering amidst the serene forest temples, it’s hard to imagine that this was once the world’s largest preindustrial city and home to 750,000 residents.

The main temple is an architectural masterpiece, perfection in composition, balance and proportions, and covered in bas-relief symbols and religious imagery. It’s an unmissable stop for Cambodian visitors but, despite its popularity, it’s still possible to lose yourself in its rambling structures entwined by roots and branches of trees that seem as old as the temples themselves. Visit at dawn and see the sunrise behind the temple, and head for the East Gate to avoid the worst of the hundreds of other visitors who got up early for the same reason.

The majestic Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Mexico

Many travellers confuse the city of Chichen Itza with its largest and most famous pyramid, El Castillo (Pyramid of Kukulcan). But like Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Mexico’s most famous archaeological site encapsulates an entire ancient city. This one, in Yucatan, eastern Mexico, was built by the Mayan civilisation between A.D. 750 and 900. The ruins of pre-Columbian architecture were once home to around 35,000 people, who cultivated the region’s first crops and domesticated its wildlife, and who had a refined modern civilisation. Like the ancient Egyptians before them, the Mayans understood mathematics and astronomy, evidenced in the main pyramid, which has 91 steps per side and one more leading to the upper temple, making a total of 365 steps – one per day of the year. During the spring and autumnal equinoxes, shadows cast by the setting sun give the appearance of a snake undulating down the stairways.

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is simply one of the most famous buildings ever constructed and has stood at the centre of Italy‘s capital for nearly 2,000 years. Building commenced in A.D. 72 under the Emperor Vespasian, and its inauguration was celebrated by 100 days of games, starting what would become a tradition of gladiatorial combat inside the arena. Scholars believe the stadium seated around 50,000 people, who would gather to watch other spectacles such as mock hunts of ferocious animals, as well as public executions and funerary games to honour deceased emperors.

The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, China

When a group of Chinese farmers uncovered fragments of pottery while digging a well in 1974, no-one was prepared for the discovery of an army of 8,000 life-sized statues, horses and chariots. It was a sensational find and the largest burial site ever discovered. The Terracotta Army stands in battle formation, ready to defend the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang from whatever might await in the afterlife. The army dates from the 3rd century B.C. and each figure appears unique. It tells us how Chinese soldiers were equipped at the time, the weapons they used, and the clothes they wore. The emperor’s tomb itself remains sealed, its mysteries and treasures for future historians and archaeologists to unearth.

Visiting ancient sites: pros and cons of guided tours and self-discoveries

There’s a lot to be said for booking a guided tour or professional guide. Many guides have a deep knowledge and understanding about the site, and you will learn far more and get more out of your visit than by simply wandering around with a guidebook. Tours take you to the best spots and maximise your time, and the best ones can really bring your visit to life. Many guides are local people and a guided visit will sustain the local economy. If it’s an option, and you prefer the freedom of visiting a site independently, make sure to do your research and plan the logistics of your visit, such as entry times and parking, and whether you need to book tickets in advance.

Cultural sensitivity and responsibility

Many of the spots on our list are places of religious significance and as a visitor to the site, and to the country, it’s important that you respect cultural or religious guidelines. Find out if there’s a dress code, such as keeping your shoulders or legs covered or removing your shoes when entering a building. Respect the rules of the site, stick to designated paths, take photos only where permitted, and modify your voice when inside a building. Many ancient sites are in the heart of the local community, so be aware of the impact your visit is having on a place people call home.

Equipment and preparation

Some of these stunning ancient sites are found in some of the toastiest spots on the planet, and sun cream, a bottle of water and a hat will be your most valuable tools, plus sturdy footwear to navigate the uneven terrain. And while some places can be ticked off in just a couple of hours, others demand a day or even longer to appreciate their beauty and historical and cultural significance. In this case, your best friends are going to be stamina combined with a pragmatic approach to what you can realistically achieve in the time you have.

Sustainable travel: protecting ancient sites

Visiting an ancient site that is hundreds or thousands of years old is a privilege, and we have a duty to protect it for future generations. Tourism is an important source of revenue, but millions of visitors take a toll on the site and can even damage it. Sustainable tourism takes account of a site’s current and future economic, social and environmental impact, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities alike. Some places are now limiting visitor numbers, and asking those who come to tread lightly.

Make it happen

Ready to uncover some of these majestic ancient sites for yourself? Plan a tailor-made itinerary with a local expert for your chosen destination – they’ll help you explore worlds of historic wonder on unique archaeology tours and experiences.

1. Egypt
2. Peru
3. Jordan
4. Cambodia
5. Mexico
6. Italy
7. China