Five fascinating lost cities around the world

Whether being lost to war, natural disaster or just years of gradual erosion, some of the world’s once-great cities have vanished through history, often leaving evidence of their existence in the form of crumbling ruins. 

It’s hard to believe, but there are still ancient settlements being discovered to this day. Earlier this year, a 1,000-square-kilometre site of what was considered to be a powerful Ecuadorian city was uncovered within the Amazon, hidden for thousands of years beneath the rainforest vegetation.

Of course, there are also many famed examples: Peru’s Machu Picchu, Cambodia’s Angkor Watt, and Italy’s Pompeii to name a handful. But beyond these fan favourites, there's a selection of fascinating lost cities and settlements worthy of your attention. . 

Here are five of the world's most fascinating lost cities...

Although not as popular as other Mexican sites such as Chichen Itza or Copán, Palenque offers one of the most outstanding examples of preserved classical Mayan architecture. Located near a modern city of the same name and beneath the peaks of the Chiapas mountains, Palenque was believed to have existed since at least 100 BCE, but flourished between 600-700 AD as an important trading hub. Due to conflict with Toniná around 800 BCE, Palenque was consequently abandoned. Today, the excavated site features a palace complex and the remarkably preserved Temple of Inscriptions, where the Tomb of Pakal (Maya ruler since 600 AD) can be found.

Around 85km from the capital of Baghdad lies the ancient ruins of Babylon. Between 629 and 539 BCE, it was the ruling capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the largest metropolis in the world, however its origins date back much further to around 2000 BCE. It’s where the world’s first written law was produced by King Hammurabi and also home to the great Tower of Babel as well as the famed Hanging Gardens, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. The demise of Babylon began when the empire came under Persian control, and by the 2^nd century BCE it was left for ruin. Today, its ancient remains cover more than 2,500 sq km and comprise of both the former city and its surrounding agricultural land.

Carthage is a hilltop archaeological site dominating the Gulf of Tunis. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 814 BCE, with its name translating to ‘new town’. From the 6^th century BCE onwards, Carthage was one of the most powerful trading empires of the region, due to its strategic position along trading routes and besides the Mediterranean. After a long conflict – known as the Punic Wars – with the emerging Roman empire, Carthage was eventually defeated by the Romans in 146 BCE, who then rebuilt the city on top of its ruins. Today, the sites ruins encompass the presence of many cultures, including Punic, Roman and Arab, with some of its most fascinating ruins including the acropolis of Byrsa and the Carthage tophet.

Older than the Pyramids of Egypt, Skara Brae was once a prospering village in the Orkney Islands. It was occupied between the years of 3000 BCE and 2500 BCE and is one of the best-preserved Neolithic settlements in the world. Archaeologists are still uncertain why it was abandoned, with speculation a devastating sandstorm drove its inhabitants away, but some also say the decline was more gradual. In 1850, a great storm hit the Orkney Islands, lifting its sand dunes and uncovering evidence of the ancient village beneath them. Today, its excavated stone-built cottages offer insight into how farmers, fishermen and other residents once lived.

The crowds might flock to Machu Picchu, but did you know Choquequirao is three times the size? This ancient city located in the Andean Mountains and overlooking the Apurimac River was built during the height of the Incan empire in the 15^th century, around the same time as its far more popular cousin. Translating to ‘Cradle of Gold’, the city was constructed more than 3,000 metres above sea level, with the surrounding natural granite and limestone incorporated into the architecture. The ruins were discovered by Spanish explorer Juan Arias Díaz in 1710, but excavation work only began in the 1970s, with much more of the site still yet to be uncovered. Choquequirao remains one of the Peru’s most remote Inca sites with visitors required to undertake a two-day long hike from the village of Cachora in order to reach it.

You may also like:

The most fascinating ruins in Jordan to visit, beyond Petra

12 of the world's ruins that have been reclaimed by nature

Nine fascinating archaeological sites in Peru – that aren't Machu Picchu