6 Angamuco, Mexico

Angamuco, a “lost” ancient city in Mexico, has more buildings than Manhattan, New York, but in a much smaller area. It was built in 1000-1350 BCE by the Purépecha civilization, who were rivals of the Aztecs. This city is known for its cultivated gardens and crops with impressive irrigation systems that could divert water when needed. 

In 2018, when archaeologists uncovered the “lost” city of Angamuco in Mexico, they found that this city had almost as many buildings as modern-day Manhattan.

The 40,000 buildings in this city are spread across an area of 25 square kilometers and were constructed around 900 CE by the Purépecha civilization. As rivals of the Aztec Empire, this city is thought to have peaked around 1000-1350 CE and had at least 100,000 residents. 

Angamuco was also unique in its location over a lava flow that is hidden by rugged terrain and dense forestry. However, what truly stood out to the excavators was that even in the pre-Columbian times, this city had a meticulously planned irrigation system.

This system could divert water when needed, allowing the residents of the city to cultivate large-scale gardens and crops. As a consequence, this city had a great balance between open green spaces and urban structures. (1, 2)

7 Colossus of Rhodes, Greece

The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was an ancient statue of the Greek God, Helios. It was erected in 280 BCE and was approximately as tall as the Statue of Liberty. Unfortunately, it was toppled by an earthquake in 228-226 BCE. 

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes was built around 280 BCE, in the Mediterranean port city of Rhodes. This bronze statue was at least 33 meters in height, almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty, and depicted the Greek god, Helios.

Sadly, in 228-226 BCE, when an earthquake hit the port city, this statue was toppled and its pieces fell onto the docks below. Since then, these metal pieces may have lain there until mid-7th century CE when they were melted for scrap. 

According to ancient scholars like Plato and Socrates, the practice of Sun worship was quite widespread throughout Greek civilization, especially in the city of Rhodes.

Therefore, it is possible that this statue was built in honor of their principal deity, to watch over their daily maritime activities. Nevertheless, barring some plausible theories, it is difficult to know the real reason for its construction. (1, 2)

8 Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan

Mohenjo-daro is one of the most popular and major cities in the Indus Valley civilization. Built around 2500 BCE, this city had water management and drainage systems that have influenced modern-day bathrooms. It is also known for the rectilinear grid plan of its streets and houses.

The Indus Valley civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that existed from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, contemporary to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. One of its major cities, Mohenjo-daro, is located in modern-day Pakistan and is noted for its impressive urban planning. This city was built at the peak of the Indus Valley civilization in 2500 BCE and discovered in the 1920s by R. D. Banerji. 

Throughout this ancient city, archaeologists have also unearthed evidence of intelligent water management systems. The buildings in this city were made from baked bricks and had their own drainage systems.

These drains would then empty out into a common brick-covered drain that lined the grid-like streets. The largest of these drains, the main city sewer, was at least 1.5 meters deep and 91 centimeters wide. Interestingly, despite all we know about this civilization, it still remains a mystery as to who inhabited it. (1, 2)

9 Skara Brae, Scotland 

The Skara Brae region of Scotland is home to a Neolithic village that was inhabited around 3100 to 2500 BCE. This village had a unique form of construction where the houses were built on a prehistoric mound of domestic waste. The houses in this settlement also have primitive forms of toilets and drainage systems. 

The Neolithic Skara Brae civilization was discovered in 1850 when a storm hit the village of Orkney in Scotland and washed away its topsoil. Soon, archaeologists were uncovering more stone structures that were likely built around 3100-2500 BCE. Today, visitors at this site are greeted by circular stone homes connected by a covered passageway. 

These homes were constructed from flagstones layered into the ground and contained primitive forms of stone furniture, toilets and drainage systems. They also had hearths in them, indicating that its residents would have used fire to warm their homes.

Due to the lack of proper windows, however, the hearths would have made these homes dark and smoky. But more importantly, these homes were found to rest on a mound of domestic waste, called middens. Today, these mounds have proven useful in determining that this civilization was home to the first-ever British farmers. (1, 2)

10 Newgrange, Ireland 

In Ireland, there is an ancient Neolithic monument called Newgrange that is older than the pyramids and Stonehenge. This structure is designed in such a way that during the Winter Solstice, the Sun shines into the main chamber for around 17 minutes, highlighting the carvings inside. It is believed to have been constructed by the Native Irish peoples, around 3200 BCE. 

Just an hour away from Dublin, Ireland, Newgrange is a Neolithic monument that is older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge. Built around 3200 BCE, this site is a true testament to its builders’ abilities as engineers and artists.

This monument is 39 feet tall and 249 feet wide, with a 62-foot-tall entrance that opens up into a central chamber with three recesses or smaller chambers. Later excavations at this site have revealed human cremated remains, offering a brief look into the ritualistic past of this site. 

As far as its origins go, most historians concede that it was built by the Native Irish people. However, many people find it more fascinating to believe that the Vikings are the true culprits.

Regardless, it still manages to mesmerize every visitor on 21 December, during the Winter Solstice, when the Sun shines through its main chamber for 17 minutes and illuminates the carvings within. (1, 2)