The secrets of ancient civilizations excite the minds of hundreds of researchers around the world. Moreover, the peoples that have gone down in history have left us dozens of buildings for study. The oldest surviving man-made structures date back to the fourth millennium BC.
In our top ten collected the oldest buildings on earthof interest to both scholars and tourists who are happy to visit these historical and architectural monuments.
10. Caucasian Dolmens, Russia
These stone tombs are found in the Krasnodar Territory, Adygea, Stavropol Territory and Abkhazia. Most of these structures were built at the end of the third millennium BC. Scientists know about 3 thousand dolmens in the Caucasus. Unfortunately, many of them have been hit hard by vandals and natural influences. Almost all dolmens have free access, they are not fenced and, alas, are not guarded by anyone.
9. Kivik Tomb, Sweden
This structure was built on the territory of modern Sweden more than 3,000 years ago. For a long time, local peasants used ancient stones for their own needs, until in 1748 the scientific study of the object began. Today, the Kivik tomb is open to visitors.
8. Stonehenge, Great Britain
This megalithic building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Scientists believe that the construction of Stonehenge took more than one century. The main moat and the most ancient boulders were erected between 3020 and 2910 BC. e. The most recent work was completed around 2100 BC. e.
7. Treasury of Atreus, Greece
This tomb in Mycenae is about 3200 years ago. It was first investigated scientifically in 1879 by Heinrich Schliemann. The monumental ancient building is one of the main monuments of Mycenaean civilization.
6. Caral, Peru
One of the oldest settlements on Earth existed about 4,600 years ago. Scientists find it difficult to answer which civilization the city belonged to, because the Olmecs and other Indian tribes lived in South America thousands of years later. Currently, ancient buildings are cleared of sand and soil. But due to lack of funds, research was suspended.
5. The Djoser Pyramid, Egypt
The oldest of the Egyptian pyramids was erected about 4700 years ago. The more famous Cheops pyramid is bigger, but 2 centuries younger than the Djoser pyramid. The youngest of the Giza pyramids are dated to the beginning of the second millennium BC.
4. Hulbjerg Jættestue, Denmark
The extensive tomb, in which the remains of 400 people were found, was built about 5000 years ago. One of the bodies discovered struck researchers with traces of the work of an ancient dentist.
3. Newgrange, Ireland
The megalithic building is a corridor tomb, part of the huge Bru-on-Boyne complex. The construction of Newgrange dates from approximately 2500 BC. The oldest building in Ireland is located 40 km from Dublin.
2. Sardinian Ziggurat (Monte D’Accoddy), Sardinia
One of the oldest buildings on Earth has an age of 5.5 thousand years. This ancient megalithic monument was built by representatives of Otsieri culture, and then was repeatedly built and rebuilt. The most recent reconstructions took place between 2600-2300 BC.
1. Maltese megalithic temples, Malta
A group of prehistoric temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that the oldest human buildings on Earth are located here. Colossal temples were built by the islanders 1000 years before the Egyptian pyramids.