Top 5 Ancient Man-Made Structures That Reveal Lost Civilizations

Over the years, archaeologists have found "lost" ancient civilizations through the man-made structures they left behind. These structures, often in their complex design and detail, have given us important clues about the lives, cultures, and ways of lost civilizations. 

While these structures might seem almost impossible to build, historians remind us that they were made by human hands, showing the skill and creativity of early builders. In fact, according to Design Times, experts found that human workforce, construction techniques, and mastery of materials are what make these structures seem "advanced."

How Are Ancient Man-Made Structures Related to Lost Civilizations?

Ancient man-made structures have helped us unlock the secrets of lost civilizations by giving us a peek into their way of life, beliefs, and achievements. 

A good example is the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Known as the "Rose City," Petra was carved into bright red sandstone cliffs by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago, according to the National Geographic Society. This man-made wonder not only shows the advanced building skills of the Nabataeans but also gives us clues about their trade routes, religious practices, and daily life-all of which might have stayed hidden without the discovery of Petra.

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Top 5 Ancient Man-Made Structures That Reveal Lost Civilizations

Besides the Nabataean civilization, almost 100 ancient man-made structures gave archeologists and historians the chance to uncover many more lost civilizations. Here are the top 5 notable examples. 

1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Rediscovered by Western explorers in the 19th century, particularly by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860, Angkor Wat is a man-made structure built as a Hindu temple complex in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire. 

According to Charles HIgham, one unique feature found in Angkor Wat is its extensive bas-relief carvings, which cover the temple walls and depict scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

These carvings not only serve a decorative purpose but also tell stories of the Khmer civilization's religion and history. 

2. Teotihuacan, Mexico

Teotihuacan was believed to be a man-made ancient structure from the pre-Aztec era, as researched by Anthropologist René Millon. In fact, it was first discovered by the Aztecs around the 14th century, and were the ones who gave it this name, which means "the place where the gods were created." 

It was, then, rediscovered in the 16th century by the Spanish, though it had been abandoned long before their arrival. The ancient man-made structure was built with large pyramids, temples, and a grid layout. Teotihuacan once housed up to 125,000 people.

Notably, archeologists also noted the presence of the "Pyramid of the Sun," which aligns with the sun's path during specific solar events, indicating the civilization's knowledge of astronomy.

3. Harappa, Pakistan

Harappa was discovered in the 1820s by British Army deserter Charles Masson. As shared by UNESCO World Heritage, this man-made structure consists of an ancient city that was part of the Indus Valley Civilization. The city was known for its advanced urban planning, with well-organized streets, drainage systems, and brick houses. 

Unlike previous ancient man-made structures in the list, Harappa reveals an advanced society with a strong emphasis on trade, agriculture, and craftsmanship. 

At the same time, while they were not the first to create an economic system, they were among the earliest to use standardized weights and measures, which also reflects an advanced level of economic organization. 

4. Moai, Easter Island

Moai statues were first reported by European explorers in 1722 when Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen arrived on Easter Island. While the statues looked as if they were erected by a spaceship, archeologists actually confirmed that it was an ancient man-made structure, carved from volcanic tuff by the Rapa Nui people between 1400 and 1650 CE, per National Geographic Society.

The Rapa Nui civilization is the indigenous Polynesian culture of Easter Island. They are known for building the Moai statues, considering their size, and the "ahu" platform around it that served as a ceremonial site.

5. Çatalhöyük, Turkey

First discovered in 1958 by James Mellaart, Çatalhöyük is an ancient man-made structure associated with a Neolithic civilization that existed between approximately 7100 and 5700 BCE. The people of Çatalhöyük are often referred to as part of the "Çatalhöyük culture" or "Çatalhöyük people."

Çatalhöyük comes with an unusual layout. Historian Mary Jo Maynes found that houses are made of mudbrick and are packed closely together without streets in between. People moved from one house to another by walking on the roofs, since the doors to the homes were on the rooftops rather than at ground level. 

This design shows that the Çatalhöyük people focus on living close together to protect each other from threats.

All in all, these ancient man-made structures do not just stand as symbols of human achievement, they are also a representation of lost civilizations that once dominated their regions. They remind scholars that while these societies may have faded, their legacies live on through the stone and earth they left behind.

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