Magnificent But Little-Known Structures
Human civilization has created and built many amazing structures, and these monumental legacies left by our ancestors fill all man with pride. Unfortunately, only a few of these amazing structures are world-renowned or even recognized. Most have heard of some of the greatest monuments in the world, such as the Parthenon, the Colosseum and the Pyramids of Giza, but this list is an ambitious attempt to highlight some of the lesser known historical structures that many people may not be aware of. Not all of these structures can be dated back to the ancient world, but they are some of the most amazing creations of our ancestors, despite the lack of popularity on a global scale.
Incallajta
Bolivia might not be well known for its rich history and treasures, but it is indeed a nation bursting with Inca history. One of the least known, but most astounding Inca sites is Incallajta, just a few hours east of Cochabamba. This fortress community lies at the mouth of a scenic valley. Before the Spanish conquest, the Incas had expanded into the Cochabamba valley because of its rich agricultural potential. They built complex systems of roads and fortresses, and Incallajta was a strategic effort to further Inca expansion toward the Amazon. This fortress was built originally by Inca Tupac Yupanqui around 1465 to repel invaders from the lower tropical regions. This remote fortress has not been well preserved, and has only recently come under the protection of the Bolivian government, through the University of San Simon in Cochabamba.
Temple of Hercules Victor
The Temple of Hercules Victor is an ancient edifice in the Forum Boarium in Rome, and it's a round temple in classic Greek peripteral design. It dates back to the 2nd century and it consists of a cella within a concentric ring of twenty Corinthian columns. The columns supported the ancient architrave (upper section joining the columns) and the roof. Unfortunately, both of these have disappeared, but the cella wall and 19 of the 20 original columns still remain to this day. The specific structure has a very significant historical importance, since it's the earliest surviving marble building in all Rome. There are no accurate sources so we can't be absolutely certain who dedicated this temple and what it was called originally, but it is believed to be connected with the legend of Herakles and Cacus, which is the main reason it is known today as the Temple of Hercules Victor.
Temples of My San
The Temples of My San, in Vietnam is one of the most amazing groups of ancient structures, but unfortunately it is largely unknown to the masses, especially in the Western world. At one time it consisted of more than 70 temples and it's one of the most important temple complexes of Buddhism. Dating as far back as the 4th century, My San was an important center of knowledge, spiritualism, and politics for the Champa culture. In a lush green valley in central Vietnam under the imposing glare of Cat's Tooth Mountain rests one of the most important archaeological sites of the ancient kingdom of Champa, which controlled what is now contemporary Vietnam until the 13th century.In 1937, French scholars began to restore the temples at My San. Unfortunately many historical buildings were destroyed during the Vietnam War when American aircraft were bombing the region. The surrounding area is to this day highly dangerous for tourists and visitors through the presence of unexploded land mines.
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion
The sanctuary of Poseidon at Sounion is one of the most important sanctuaries in the world, yet very few outside Greece know about it. Sporadic, finds point to the conclusion that the site was inhabited in the prehistoric period but there is no evidence of religious practice at such an early date. The sanctuary of Sounion is first mentioned in the Odyssey as the place where Menelaos stopped during his return from Troy to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides. The finds of the 7th century B.C. are numerous and prove the existence of an organized cult on two points of the promontory at the southern edge where the temenos of Poseidon was situated. Today the temple of Poseidon at Sounion is a lesser known cultural spot, but ironically a better known romantic spot for young couples that want to enjoy the amazing view and full moon of August.
Chogha Zanbil
Chogha Zanbil is an enormous ziggurat located in Iran and is one of the most impressive monuments of modern Khuzestan. It was built about 1250 B.C. by King Untash-Napirisha to honor the great god Inshushinak. The site is more than three-thousand years old, and is in remarkably good condition. It is also one of the only ziggurats built outside of Mesopotamia. Ziggurats were not used in the same way as most Western Temples-they weren't meant for priests to reside or perform rituals in. Instead, a ziggurat was viewed as a resting place for the Gods. By building a ziggurat near a major city, the rulers could ensure that the gods stayed near and protected the people. In 1979, Chogha Zanbil became the first Iranian site ever (at that time) to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Jetavanarama Dagoba
The Jetavanarama Dagoba, which was the pet project of King Mahasena, is the largest building at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. Originally it was no less than 122 meters high, making it-at the time-the third tallest structure on earth after the pyramids at Dharshur and Giza in Egypt. The Jetavana Dagoba must have dominated the ancient city, just as it dominates the ruins today, even though its height has diminished to about 75 meters. But whereas for centuries its dome was encrusted with vegetation and its spire broken, it is now being restored with the support of UNESCO. If somehow Jetavanarama Dagoba looks familiar to you, it's probably because you remember it being the beautiful backdrop of Duran Duran's classic music video "Save A Prayer."
Ruins of Nalanda
Nalanda was a Buddhist university established in A.D. 450, and was the longest running university in Indian history. Among its many notable guests were Buddha and Mahavira, and at its zenith it accommodated over 10,000 students and over 2,000 faculties. This place saw the rise and fall of many empires and emperors who contributed to the development of the University. However, it was destroyed by Turkish Muslim invaders in 1193, when the students and teachers were massacred and the massive university library was burnt down. Nowadays, all that remains are extensive