Al Mahwit village on the top of a hill (Yemen).

The Sphinx «sfihngks» was a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, falcon, or ram. The Sphinx is found in both ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology.

These are the walls of the sun temple at Machu Picchu. They’re a real wonder because the Incas managed to carve the stones into perfect shapes without any iron tools. The stones are also fit together without any cement/clay and 500+ years later are still the way they were initially ...

The hydro power plant was built with ten turbines. The turbine No 2 started having problems shortly after its installation due to defects in its seals and shaft vibrations. The cavities and crack on the turbine wheel were completely reconditioned in 2000. Despite these efforts, turbine No 2 continued to have problems, leading to further repairs in 2005 and 2009, during which again turbine blades were repaired. But still the turbine experienced vibrations due to new cracks and cavities, which did

The Atlantean megalithic builders had vast knowledge of astronomy, archictecture and technology, and had a worldwide civilization.

Yazilikaya (the written rocks), National sanctuary of the Hittite Empire Yazilikaya (Hattusas), a famous rock-cut relief depicting a procession of 12 Gods in Hittite robes; possibly a representation of the calendar Gods symbolizing the 12 months of the Year - (Photo by Author) Located a short distance from Hattusas, Yazilikaya (the “inscribed rocks”) was the official temple and sanctuary of the Hittite empire. It consists of several rock-cut chambers carved around a large rocky outcrop possessing two large alcoves and an open-air sanctuary. Both alcoves contain reliefs of Gods and Goddesses in a parade, all appearing by profile. It is possible that some of the smaller alcoves were used for burial of the deceased Kings, and that the whole sanctuary was therefore a funerary monument built to celebrate some Royal ancestors. One notable relief depicts a King (perhaps Tudhaliya IV or III) greeted by the God Sharruma. Other depictions include representations of the Sword-God and the 12-Gods believed to symbolize the 12 months of the year. All of the figures portrayed in the sanctuary at Yazilikaya are wearing long robes and a kind of conical headdress somehow similar to priestly head-dresses one finds amongst the Phrygians and the ancient kingdom of Commagene (which only made their appearance many centuries later) Another of the bas-reliefs decorating the rock-cut temple of Yazilikaya. The figure portrayed here was probably a king. The style of the reliefs was clearly influenced by neighboring Mesopotamia and Sumer - (Photo by Author) Alaca Hoyuk, the Riddle of the Sphinx Gate Alaça Hoyuk, located some 25 Km from Hattusas, was a major city of Hatti and the Hittite empire. Alaça Hoyuk was apparently settled already in the Neolithic period, with the earliest monumental remains belonging to to a number of “royal” or princely graves dated to 2,350 BC. Just like nearby Hattusas, the site fell victim to a devastating fire by 1,200 BC, but unlike Hattusas was later resettled in Phrygian times. The most famous monument is the so-called “Sphinx gate”, built in Egyptian style possibly by 1,450 BC. This was a monumental gateway to the ancient city also consisting of a massive polygonal wall decorated with bas-reliefs on its outer side. Carvings include a king and queen worshipping the sacred bull, priests, jugglers, charioteers and a rather odd depiction of a man climbing a ladder towards a circular ring standing freely in space. On the two orthostats are depictions of human-headed Sphinxes wearing a kind of Egyptian headdress, with the two-headed Eagle to symbolize Royal power. One of the most striking features is however the impressive polygonal wall running on the interior side of the Gate: consisting of huge andesite stones weighing well over 5 tons, it also bears an uncanny resemblance to Inca stone masonry architecture…One wonders whether this wall may actually predate construction of the gate by the Hittites. The Sphinx gate of Alaca Hoyuk. The two sphinxes which were originally intended to support the gate are reminescent of both Egypt and Mesopotamia. A set of very beautiful reliefs including depictions of sacrifice and religious ceremonies once decorated the outside of the gate (the originals are now in the Anatolian Civilization Museum in Ankara) A close-up of one of the sphinxes, itself a massive megalith of some 20 tons and over 3 meters high. The headdress is typically Egyptian, while the general posture reminds of Mesopotamia - (Photo by Author) One of the most interesting details is this representation of a two-headed eagle, itself a symbol of royal power - (Photo by Author) Exact reproductions of the original bas-reliefs decorating the outside of the Sphinx gateway have been put in their original position. One of the most striking and enigmatic scenes depicts a figure climbing a ladder which is apparently suspended in the air - (Photo by Author) A detail of the massive polygonal wall that can be seen on the inside of the gate of Sphinxes. It bears a striking resemblance to Inca masonry in Cuzco and Sachsaywaman. Also in this case, as with the largest megalithic layers of the Great Temple of Hattusas, the stone used is a kind of igneous rock similar to andesite, which differs significantly both in texture and finishing from any other construction on the site as if belonging to a wholly different epoch. - (Photo by Author) After bypassing the Sphinx gate, one is led through a large paved road towards the great Temple, still mostly unexcavated. Only a few large megalithic blocks remain, also bearing cup-marks and drill holes as most stones in Hattusas. Also in Alaça Hoyuk one finds a vaulted underground tunnel of unknown function (it has been suggested it also was used as a poterne in case of siege), which is almost L-shaped and cannot therefore have served any astronomic purpose. This giant collapsed trilithon is almost all that remains of what was probably a door to the main Temple of Halaca Hoyuk, which must have been similar to the Great Temple of Hattusas - (Photo by Author) Mysterious cup-marks cover the upper surface of the trilithon and most of the sorrounding stones. These are larger and cruder than those found in Hattusas and were most likely the product of chiselling rather than drilling - (Photo by Author) The inner entrance to the underground tunnel in Alaca Hoyuk. After a few meters, the tunnel makes an abrupt L-turn and deviates to the left towards a long vaulted corridor ending at some point beneath the walls. The main access to the tunnel is through a cross-shaped room which was originally covered by a vault - (Photo by Author) Another interesting feature of the site are several early-bronze age tombs, taking the shape of large rectangular pits which have been remarkably reconstructed and preserved in-situ, including remains of sacrificed bulls and cattle. These tombs have yielded a number of artifacts and funerary objects, including several bronze and copper “standards” and “Sun-disks” with an intricate geometric carving and figures of stags (whose ultimate function also remains unknown, even though they were probably used in processions or at the top of a pole as a kind of standards) There is also a small, yet fascinating museum on the site (the originals of the Hittite bas-reliefs carved on the outside of the Sphinx gate are now on exhibit in the Anatolian Civilization Museum in Ankara, with the exception of the two Sphinx statues which are still in their original position). Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, late-Hittite reliefs depicting a procession of dignitaries and soldiers (originally from Karkemish, near present day Syria) - (Photo by Author) Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of the mysterious hittite Sun-disks (originally from Alaca Hoyuk) with a typical grid-like pattern and stags ornamentations - (Photo by Author) Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, a hittite ceremonial standard (originally from Alaca Hoyuk) depicting stags with innaturally long horns - (Photo by Author) Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations , one of very few hittite golden objects. This small gold vessel contains an elaborate ornamentation, including triangles and a swastika - (Photo by Author) Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations , original bas relief from Hattusas' King's gate depicting a marching God or King (probably Tudhaliya) wearing a kilt and a helm or ceremonial headdress - (Photo by Author) Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, large hittite boundary stone with hieroglyphic inscription in Luwian characters - (Photo by Author) Bogazkoy (Hattusas), Archaeological Museum, one of the two sphinx-statues decorating the Sphinx gate on top of the Yerkapi pyramid in Hattusas. The style of sculpture is also closely reminescent of Mesopotamia and Egypt - (Photo by Author)

Preserving the bay's salmon and other renewable resources for future generations outweighs the short-term benefits of mining. The EPA thinks so too, at least for now.

Masonry, the art and craft of building and fabricating in stone, clay, brick, or concrete block.

El tragaluz ibérico

Vinapu es un área ceremonial en Isla de Pascua donde se encuentran los restos de 3 plataformas. El muro del Ahu Tahira recuerda a los muros incas de Perú. Descubre más en nuestra guía.

The new year starts well and in Spain, this is the destination we suggest for 2024! Discover the best day trips to do!

Continued flooding from Hurricane Florence, a water landing in Micronesia, fall colors in Wales, preserving a Communist monument in Bulgaria, emotional confirmation hearings in Washington, and much more

Comenzamos agosto en ‘El Asombrario’ con un viaje muy especial. Hace unas semanas se declaraban 11 nuevos ‘Pueblos mágicos’ en México. Con estas

Housing complex "Blocul Rotund" Lujerului square, Militari neighborhood, Bucharest, Romania, built in the late 1970s. Architect: Dumitru Aurel Badescu. (c) BACU #socialistmodernism

Plans are afoot to restore giant Buddhist symbols destroyed by the Taliban, but experts cannot agree on best way forward

UNESCO recently added 24 stunning new sites to its World Heritage list.

Les Cyclades sont à elles seules un cliché de carte postale grecque : des maisons au blanc étincelant, ornées d’un grand dôme bleu, des petites rues étroites, des plages au sable chaud et une mer...

Travel Gifts - Find amazing places for co-workers, employees and the boss to travel.

From burning books to bombed Buddhas, a new exhibition looks at the cultural destruction of war – and the controversial reconstruction efforts that follow

To get the best desert safari Dubai package and to make your trip more exciting contact skylandtourism.com for best packages.

Per i turisti è uno dei siti archeologici più belli del mondo, ma per gli israeliani è un luogo di culto

Our Russia Travel Blog shares Russia travel related Articles, travel tips, news, advice, fun facts, to help you plan your trip in Russia.

The world's second-largest excavated hole.

Земля полна мегалитов, многие из которых сложно назвать природными образованиями, хотя официальная версия гласит именно так. Вашему внимаю предлагается подборка таких артефактов со всех сторон (видимого) света, некоторые из которых явно показывают следы термального воздействия, хотя во многих…

Our planet is a definite place of mystery and intrigue full of unexplained occurrences and objects that boggle even the very experts in their various fields of study. From technology found of ancie…

Dubbed 'Diamond City', Mir mine in eastern Siberia is so huge it creates a vortex potentially strong enough to suck helicopters into its depths. Its riches helped turn the USSR into a global superpower.

Though deep drilling on reefs finally confirmed Darwin's model in 1953, the reality of reef-building may be more complex.

Photo London 2018’s Master of Photography award - Edward Burtynsky

Los molinos de viento de la Mancha forman parte del encanto de la literatura castellana. Fue Miguel de Cervantes quien...

Europe’s greatest sea is a dream destination for a voyage - from cruising on a tall ship out of Athens to admiring the best views of the Mediterranean from a cliff-edge monastery.

I have written extensively, and created videos on my Youtube channel HERE about clear signs that the megalithic works of the Cusco area of Peru were not done by the Inca, but a far older civilization. We can now state with some evidence that these accomplishments were created 12,000 or more years ago, and have written...