7. Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is a statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that was built as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity. In 1850, the idea of building a religious monument was first suggested by a Catholic Priest. It wasn't until 1920 when a group petitioned for support to build a landmark statue that it became a reality. The design was chosen from several ideas and construction began in the 1920s, taking nine years to finish. Today, Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Interesting Facts:
Christ the Redeemer is the largest art deco statue in the world. It is 98 feet tall (not including the 26 foot pedestal), and the arms stretch to 92 feet wide.
The statue weighs approximately 635 tonnes.
Christ the Redeemer is located in the Tijuca Forest National Forest, at the top of the Corcovado Mountain.
The statue is considered an icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Christ the Redeemer is the 5th largest statue of Jesus.
The first suggestion to build a large religious monument was made in the 1850s by a Catholic priest names Pedro Maria Boss. The request for financing wasn't approved because Princess Isabel was not a fan of the idea. The request was officially denied in 1889 when Brazil mandated the separation of church and state. A petition started by a group in the early 1920s, called the Catholic Circle of Rio, was successful. Construction began in 1922 and took nine years to complete.
The money to build Christ the Redeemer came from Brazil's Catholic community.
There were several designs to choose from. One was a depiction of the Christian cross. Another was a statue of Jesus holding a globe, while standing over a pedestal that was to symbolize the world.
The chosen statue is meant to show that Christ loves all and will embrace all that come to him.
The stones that were used to build Christ the Redeemer came from Sweden.
The statue was completed in 1931. It officially opened on October 12, 1931.
The cost in 1931 was approximately $250,000 US. Today that would roughly be the equivalent of $3.2 million US.
The statue had to be constructed in pieces and carried to the mountain top to be erected.
The materials used to build Christ the Redeemer were reinforced concrete and soapstone.
The right arm points to south Rio de Janeiro and the left arm points to north Rio de Janeiro.
In 2008 a violent electrical storm resulted in a lightning strike to the statue. The head, eyebrows and fingers were damaged. The soapstone exterior of the statue prevented severe damage as it acted as an insulator. The Rio de Janeiro state government began a restoration effort. They replaced some layers of soapstone and repaired the lightning rods on the statue.
All the stone used in restoration efforts came from the same quarry as the original stone.
Christ the Redeemer was vandalized in 2010 by a housepainter. He had sprayed the head and right arm with graffiti. The culprit was later identified.
In 2003 there were escalators, elevators and walkways installed. These made it possible to access the platform that surrounds Christ the Redeemer.
This statue became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World on July 7th, 2007.
6. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built by a Mongul emperor named Sahah Jahan, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Sahah Jahan was born in 1592, while his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal was born in 1593. They married in 1612 and had seven children. In 1628 Shah Jahan became the Mongul Emperor. Only three years later his beloved wife died shortly after childbirth. In 1632 Sahah Jahan began the project of building a mausoleum, or tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal.
Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whom he held precious. Mumtaz Mahal was giving birth to the fourteenth child of the emperor, and she died in the process. This was in 1631. Legend has it that Shah Jahan, who considered his empress an integral part of his life, was broken after her death, and within just a few months, his hair and beard grew snow white, such was the terrible impact of the demise upon him.
Time and amount
The construction of the Taj Mahal was begun in 1632, a year after the death of Empress Mumtaz. The construction was completed in the year 1653, which means that it took approximately 22 years to complete this astounding piece of architecture. At that time, the estimated construction cost was a whopping sum of Rs. 32 million, which, when considered in terms of today’s value of money, would be something way above $1 billion.
Construction and employees
The architect behind all the magic was Ahmed Lahauri. He put more than 20,000 people into building the Taj, including labourers, stonecutters, painters, embroidery artists, calligraphers, and many others. But, how were the stones and materials required for the construction of the mausoleum transported? Well, elephants were employed to do the task, and amazingly, there were more than 1,000 of the majestic creatures employed.
Materials Used
The magnificent edifice is bounded on three sides by red stone walls. It is constructed completely of white marble. The emperor had marbles of the best quality brought from Rajasthan, Afghanistan, Tibet and China. But this was probably not enough for the emperor. It is believed that more than 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones, including the striking lapis lazuli, were inlaid into the marble. Now we know where all the money went.
Inscriptions
The Taj Mahal being the dedication and homage of Mumtaz Mahal, it has calligraphy all over the interior and exterior, which, among other patterns and holy inscriptions, also has calligraphy on the tomb that identifies and praises Mumtaz Mahal. Another interesting fact is that there are 99 names of Allah found on the sides of the actual tomb as calligraphic inscriptions. After all, Shah Jahan did envision Mumtaz’s home in the paradise, and Taj Mahal was that imagination coming to life.
5. Roman Colosseum
Located just east of the Roman Forum, the massive stone amphitheater known as the Colosseum was commissioned around A.D. 70-72 by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Roman people. In A.D. 80, Vespasian’s son Titus opened the Colosseum–officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater–with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. After four centuries of active use, the magnificent arena fell into neglect, and up until the 18th century it was used as a source of building materials. Though two-thirds of the original Colosseum has been destroyed over time, the amphitheater remains a popular tourist destination, as well as an iconic symbol of Rome and its long, tumultuous history.
History of the Colosseum - Facts and Information
The content of this article provides interesting facts and information relating to the History of the Colosseum. Our perception is perhaps that gladiatorial combat started with the Colosseum which able to stage elaborate and organised combats between hundreds of gladiators using various fighting styles. This perception is incorrect. Gladiatorial games started in Rome over 300 years before the Colosseum was built. The Colosseum did not exist during the lives of many of the most famous Romans such as the dictator Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Neither had the Colosseum been built during the reigns of emperors such as Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Caligula or Claudius. We have to look back before the Roman Colosseum was actually built to gain an insight into the history of the Colosseum and why the terrifying Arena of Death was ever built. The scale of the Gladiatorial Games increased from just a small number of participants to the massive numbers of gladiators seen in the spectacles of Roman Colosseum watched by up to 80,000 people. The History of the Colosseum.
The First Gladiatorial Fight
The History of the Colosseum began in Rome when the first recorded gladiatorial fight was staged in 264AD. Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva put on a gladiatorial combat to honor the memory of his deceased father who was a consul named D. Junius Brutus Pera. Three pairs of slaves, selected from among 22 prisoners of war, were chosen to fight. The first gladiatorial fight took place in the Forum Boarium, a cattle market, situated near the Tiber between the Capitoline, the Palatine and Aventine hills. As this was the funeral of a prominent aristocrat and held in a public space, the event was likely to have drawn a large crowd. This first Gladiatorial combat was a clever idea as it also brought political prestige to their family¹s name. So the history of gladiatorial combat and therefore the Colosseum is related to a funeral. The History of the Colosseum.
The Roman Funeral
Why does the History of the Colosseum and gladiatorial combat relate to the Roman funeral, what was the connection? The religion of the Romans revolved around the worship of various gods and goddesses and their belief in the afterlife. Romans believed that human sacrifice at the dead person's funeral would appease the pagan gods and ensure a satisfactory entrance into the afterlife. Earlier customs of sacrificing prisoners on the graves of warriors or aristocrats were followed by Romans. Ceremonies connected with the dead lasted for nine days after the funeral, at the end of which time a sacrifice was performed. The Romans believed that "souls of the dead were propitiated by human blood..." Preparation for Roman funeral rites involved captives or slaves being bought, trained to kill and then sacrificed during the funeral rituals. This funereal ritual, or sacrificial ceremony, was called a munus - a duty paid to a dead ancestor by his descendants, with the intention of keeping alive his memory. At these ceremonies slaves or servants attended the funeral dressed as Pluto or Charon who were the gods of the dead. The god Charon ferried the dead across the Styx and an attendant, playing the role of Charon, symbolically carried away the bodies of the dead gladiators during the religious ceremonies. This symbolism was transferred to the Roman Colosseum when dead gladiators were escorted by a figure depicting Charon from the arena. The History of the Colosseum.
Origin and History of the Colosseum - The Rise of the Gladiator Games
The first gladiator fight was so successful that Roman aristocrats soon copied the idea. These funeral games, or munera, were held annually or every five years for the purpose of keeping the dead person's memory alive. The events grew bigger and more elaborate and at the funeral of P. Licinius Crassus, who had been Pontifex Maximus one hundred and twenty gladiators fought and funeral games were celebrated for three days; at the end of which a public banquet was given in the forum. Prominent Roman families competed against each other to produce the best games. What had started with Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva organising three matches as funeral games transformed into public performances. Those organised by Julius Caesar, on the death of his daughter Julia, featured 320 paired gladiator matches. The History of the Colosseum.
Origin, History of the Wooden Arenas and the Concept of the Colosseum
The history and concept of the Colosseum grew from the custom of funeral games. The funeral games were organised as public events by wealthy Roman aristocrats and Patricians. The Gladiator games were popular with the 'mob'. At first gladiator games, or combats, were held in small wooden arenas. The word “arena” means sand, a reference to the thick layer of sand on the floor for the purpose of soaking up the blood. But as the popularity of the games grew large amphitheatres were built to house the games. The amphitheatres were round or oval in shape. Their design was taken from joining two half circle wooden theatres together (the word "amphi" means 'both sides').
History of the First Stone Amphitheatre in Rome
The most important amphitheatre, prior to the Colosseum, was the first stone built amphitheatre in Rome which was called the Amphitheater of Statilius Taurus. It was built in 29 BC, on the Campus Martius, by consul Titus Statilius Taurus in the time of the Emperor Augustus. This amphitheatre was quite small and in order to placate the plebs the Emperor Nero built a much bigger, wooden, amphitheatre called the Amphitheatrum Neronis in 57AD. Both of these amphitheatres were completely destroyed in 64AD due to the Great Fire of Rome.
Origin and History of the Colosseum - From Religious to Political Events
Initially the provision of Gladiatorial Games was seen as a method to please the Roman gods and avert Rome from disaster. The Romans who were responsible for staging such events grew in popularity, so the 'games' became political events by which prominent Romans could gain popularity with the mob. By the first century A.D. providing gladiatorial games even became a requirement of some public offices. It was not long before the concept of a permanent stone arena was born which would become known as the Colosseum. The History of the Colosseum.
Vespasian and the Flavian Amphitheatre (the Colosseum)
The terrible reign of the Emperor Nero and the burning of Rome led to Civil War. The turmoil ended when Vespasian became emperor. Vespasian founded the Flavian dynasty, so called because all of the Emperors of the Flavian dynasty bore the name Flavius. After the death of Nero morale and the confidence of Roman citizens was at an all time low. Vespasian had to get support back from the people. His idea was to demolish the palace of Nero and construct a permanent arena designed as a massive amphitheatre for housing free gladiator games and other entertainment for the amusement of the 'mob', the Plebs. The palace of Nero was called the Domus Aurea (Latin for "Golden House") and was a large landscaped portico villa. The construction of the 'Flavian Amphitheatre' started in c70AD.
The Flavian Amphitheatre is Called the Colosseum
The Colosseum was originally called the the Flavian Amphitheatre. The original name of the Flavian Amphitheatre was given due to it being built by Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Emperor Vespasian) who founded the Flavian dynasty. It was soon given the name Colosseum which was taken from the Latin word 'colosseus' meaning colossal. This was in reference to the gigantic statue of the Emperor Nero which had been previously erected near the site of the Colosseum. This statue of Nero, believed to have been cast in bronze, measured 100 to 120 Roman feet (37m) high and had become a landmark in the centre of the city of Rome. The History of the Colosseum.
The Construction of the Colosseum
The Colosseum would become a symbol of the might, the wealth and the power of the Roman Empire. Construction started in c70AD and was financed from the proceeds gained from the Roman sacking of Jerusalem. The successful campaign against Judea was ordered by Vespasian and led by his son, Titus. The Colosseum took less than 10 years to build, a remarkable achievement for the excellent engineers and their famous engineering skills. The architecture of the Roman Colosseum illustrates their use of one of the Romans most famous inventions - concrete. The Emperor Vespasian died on 23 June 79 and never saw the completed Colosseum. In A.D. 81 Emperor Titus dedicated the Colosseum in the city of Rome. The History of the Colosseum.
History of the Colosseum and the Roman Emperors
Many Roman Emperors enjoyed the spectacles that the Colosseum had to offer and many of the gladiatorial games were financed by the emperors themselves. The history of the bloody arena continues through the reigns of various emperors, the emergence of the new Christian religion, the horror stories of the deaths of Christian martyrs in the Colosseum, the Gladiator fights and the killing of thousands of exotic animals in Ancient Rome. There was even an Emperor who took great delight in participating in the gladiator games held at the Colosseum - the Emperor Commodus. Commodus was the Emperor featured in the Russell Crowe movie Gladiator. The Roman Emperors and the Colosseum played a huge part in the history of the Persecution of the Christians.
Telemachus and the End of the Gladiatorial Games
The Gladiatorial games at the Colosseum ended during the reign of the Emperor Honorius. Stilicho had defeated the Goths at Verona in June 403, it was the last Roman victory, and it was celebrated by the last Roman triumph followed by Gladiatorial games in the Colosseum. In the midst of the bloodshed a voice was heard bidding it to cease in the name of Christ, and between the swords there was seen standing a monk holding up his hand and keeping back the blows. There was a shout of rage, and he was stoned to death by the outraged 'mob' and killed. It was found that he was an Egyptian monk named Telemachus. The death of Telemachus put an to gladiator combats. Chariot races and games went on but the terrible sports of death and blood were ended for ever. The last known gladiatorial fight in the Roman Colosseum therefore took place during the reign of Honorius. The Emperor Honorius, finally decreed the end of gladiatorial contests in 399 AD. The last known gladiator competition in the city of Rome occurred on January 1, 404 AD. The Sack of Rome occurred on August 24, 410 when the city was attacked by the Visigoths, led by Alaric I. The Roman capital had already been moved to the Italian city of Ravenna by Honorius, after the Visigoths entered Italy. The Visigoths destroyed many of the aqueducts leading to Rome. Without a fresh supply of water the city could no longer function. The Romans fled from the city - the glory days of Rome were finished. The History of the Colosseum.
Modern History of the Colosseum
The History of the Colosseum moves on to the amphitheatre falling into decline. The outer walls were stripped of marble and even the iron cramps were removed and used to make weapons (the holes left in the Colosseum can be seen today). The Colosseum had various uses from housing vagrants to providing shelter to animals. Uses included housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry and as a Christian shrine. Today the glory days of the Colosseum have returned - the number of visitors and tourists to the Colosseum is estimated at over 5 million per year, all interested in the terrifying history of the Colosseum.
History of the Colosseum
The content of this History of the Colosseum category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and history research for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting different categories containing the history, facts and information about Ancient Rome. The History of the Colosseum.
4. Machu Picchu
History
The history of Machu Picchu is complex and fascinating, and before you arrive at the Lost City of the Incas, you might be interested in learning about it. This site is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization; it is also one of the world's most important archeological sites. It should come as no surprise how many travelers plan hiking tours to reach the lost city, but how many of them know what they're looking at? A little background can go a long way to enhancing your visit to Machu Picchu.
One incredible fact about Machu Picchu is that although it was built in the 1400s, it was hardly known of outside the region until 1911. An American professor named Hiram Bingham found the site despite the fact that the Incans did a thorough job at keeping secret the lost city, which is located nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. Once this discovery occurred, a wealth of information about the history of Machu Picchu was uncovered. There were 135 skeletons that were found at the site, and more than 100 were women. Archaeologists have speculated that Machu Picchu was a temple or sanctuary for high priests and women who have been referred to as Virgins of the Sun, though more recent research has convinced many that it was built as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti, who ruled from 1438 until 1471 or 1472.
There are many intriguing aspects of the history of Machu Picchu, with one of the most fascinating being the relatively small period of its use. This intricate and beautiful complex was built at the height of the Inca Empire, but it was in use for less than 100 years-around the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, in the early sixteenth century, Machu Picchu was abandoned. After its rediscovery, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and the visitors have not stopped arriving since, as the iconic peaks of Machu Picchu are among the most dazzling archaeological sites worldwide.
This site has helped historians to learn more about the Inca civilization. Archaeologists have divided all the sections of the site into three categories: religious, agricultural, and urban. If you hire a guide during your trip to Machu Picchu, you will always know what you're looking at. Examples of some elements of the larger site include Great Central Temple, known for its intricate stonework. Nearby is the Temple of the Sun where the best stonework of the whole archeological site can be found. When you visit Machu Picchu, be prepared to climb steps that reveal astounding views of the whole valley.
Another interesting historical fact that perhaps saved important details about the Inca civilization is the fact that the Spanish conquerors never found Machu Picchu. While the Spanish were responsible for plundering many other Incan sites, this most sacred site remained a secret. Over the course of centuries, much of the site became overgrown. While it was known by the local people, it wasn't discovered for the rest of the world until 1911 when an 11-year-old boy led Professor Bingham to the site. Bingham called his book about the ruins The Lost City of the Incas-it makes for fascinating reading before a trip to Peru if you want to arrive well versed in the history of Machu Picchu.
3. Lost City of Petra
The Greek word “Petra” means “rock”. Hence the city of Petra is synonymous with its name. This ancient city was carved out of stone. The city of Petra is situated in the south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The spectacular archaeological ruins in the Middle East, Petra (Jordan) represents an ancient Arab culture and architecture that flourished more than 2,000 years ago. Featuring several rock-cut buildings and structures, this city from the bygone era is located on the slope of the biblical Mount Hor in Jordan. It was built by the resident ancient Arab tribe named Nabataeans, who were initially nomadic but industrious. The valley in those days fell on the famous trade route linking Egypt, Rome, Syria, and Greece with China, Arabia, and India, better known in history as the Silk Route.
Petra for almost five centuries was hidden to the outside world, until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. It is therefore called the ‘Lost City’. Since, its introduction to the west, Petra has become Jordan’s top tourist attraction. Today, it’s mesmerizing grandeur has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007).
Interesting Facts
Petra is alternatively known as the Rose Red City, owing to its buildings that are carved into rose-red colored sandstone hills. The red-tinged mountains surrounding Petra on its three sides make it look like a fortress. Nabataeans made good use of this fact and used a unique hydraulic system to preserve water, thus creating an artificial oasis. The Silk Route traders used this city for resting and trading various items. With high economy came valuable treasures and antiquities. A number of buildings and monuments were built. Petra is believed to have been one of the most affluent cities during the 1st centuries BC to AD, with a population of almost 30,000 people.
Petra saw its decline from the 3rd century AD onwards, which happened due to several factors, beginning with the change in the trade route from land to sea. The city also experienced a number of earthquakes that led to the destruction of many of the buildings and its evacuation in the 6th century AD. The buildings that were carved into the cliffs were naturally saved and are still standing. Many of its carvings though are lost due to pollution, weathering, and robberies.
Petra Entrance
The entrance to Petra is dramatic. You have to walk through a narrow gorge of more than 1 km. This gorge is flanked by tall cliffs of about 80 km, and is called Siq. Your first peek of Petra (and first view of the Al Khazneh) comes while you are nearing the end of the Siq.
Al Khazneh and Other Buildings of Petra
Literally meaning the ‘Treasury’, Al Khazneh is a must-see in Petra. Carved straight out of a cliff, this monument’s facade is an impressive piece of Greek-influenced architectural engineering. It is believed to have been built as a mausoleum at the start of the 1st century AD. The gunshots that you see on the facade were to find a treasure.
While walking down the Petra passageways, you will come across more than 800 structures like tombs, temples, churches, public buildings, a 3,000-seater amphitheater, and a monastery (Ad-Deir Monastery with 800 steps). You can also see here diversion dams, channels, and networked cisterns that were used to conserve water from the seasonal rains.
2. Lost City of Petra
The Greek word “Petra” means “rock”. Hence the city of Petra is synonymous with its name. This ancient city was carved out of stone. The city of Petra is situated in the south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The spectacular archaeological ruins in the Middle East, Petra (Jordan) represents an ancient Arab culture and architecture that flourished more than 2,000 years ago. Featuring several rock-cut buildings and structures, this city from the bygone era is located on the slope of the biblical Mount Hor in Jordan. It was built by the resident ancient Arab tribe named Nabataeans, who were initially nomadic but industrious. The valley in those days fell on the famous trade route linking Egypt, Rome, Syria, and Greece with China, Arabia, and India, better known in history as the Silk Route.
Petra for almost five centuries was hidden to the outside world, until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. It is therefore called the ‘Lost City’. Since, its introduction to the west, Petra has become Jordan’s top tourist attraction. Today, it’s mesmerizing grandeur has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007).
Interesting Facts
Petra is alternatively known as the Rose Red City, owing to its buildings that are carved into rose-red colored sandstone hills. The red-tinged mountains surrounding Petra on its three sides make it look like a fortress. Nabataeans made good use of this fact and used a unique hydraulic system to preserve water, thus creating an artificial oasis. The Silk Route traders used this city for resting and trading various items. With high economy came valuable treasures and antiquities. A number of buildings and monuments were built. Petra is believed to have been one of the most affluent cities during the 1st centuries BC to AD, with a population of almost 30,000 people.
Petra saw its decline from the 3rd century AD onwards, which happened due to several factors, beginning with the change in the trade route from land to sea. The city also experienced a number of earthquakes that led to the destruction of many of the buildings and its evacuation in the 6th century AD. The buildings that were carved into the cliffs were naturally saved and are still standing. Many of its carvings though are lost due to pollution, weathering, and robberies.
Petra Entrance
The entrance to Petra is dramatic. You have to walk through a narrow gorge of more than 1 km. This gorge is flanked by tall cliffs of about 80 km, and is called Siq. Your first peek of Petra (and first view of the Al Khazneh) comes while you are nearing the end of the Siq.
Al Khazneh and Other Buildings of Petra
Literally meaning the ‘Treasury’, Al Khazneh is a must-see in Petra. Carved straight out of a cliff, this monument’s facade is an impressive piece of Greek-influenced architectural engineering. It is believed to have been built as a mausoleum at the start of the 1st century AD. The gunshots that you see on the facade were to find a treasure.
While walking down the Petra passageways, you will come across more than 800 structures like tombs, temples, churches, public buildings, a 3,000-seater amphitheater, and a monastery (Ad-Deir Monastery with 800 steps). You can also see here diversion dams, channels, and networked cisterns that were used to conserve water from the seasonal rains.
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, located at the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula of modern Mexico, was a Maya city which was later significantly influenced by the Toltec civilization. Flourishing between c. 750 and 1200 CE, the site is rich in monumental architecture and sculpture which promote themes of militarism and displays imagery of jaguars, eagles, and feathered-serpents. Probably a capital city ruling over a confederacy of neighbouring states, Chichen Itza was one of the great Mesoamerican cities and remains today one of the most popular tourist sites in Mexico.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
The name Chichen Itza probably derives from a large sinkhole known as the Sacred Cenote or 'mouth of the well of the Itza' into which the Maya threw offerings of jade and gold, and as the presence of bones testifies, human sacrifices. The early history of the site is still not clear, but settlement was certain by the Classic period (c. 250-900 CE). With the collapse of Teotihuacan, migrants may have come to the site from varying parts of Mesoamerica, and it seems likely there was contact with the Itza, a Maya group. A second period of construction seems to coincide with influence from the Toltec civilization. That Chichen Itza was a thriving trade centre with a port at Isla Cerritos is evidenced by finds of goods from elsewhere in Central America, for example, turquoise from the north, gold disks from the south, and obsidian from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The cultivation of cacao is known, and the city may have controlled the lucrative salt beds on the nearby northern coast.
The city has been traditionally divided into two distinct parts and periods, even if there is some overlap both in time and design, and together they cover some 16 square kilometres. The earliest, in the south, is native Maya dating to the Epiclassic period (c. 800-1000 CE) with buildings displaying the distinct 'Puuc' architectural style and Maya hieroglyphs. The plan is more spread out than other parts of the city and, constructed on a roughly north-south axis, may reflect the course of the Xtoloc Cenote water source.
The second part of the city has been traditionally dated to 1000-1200 CE and is more mysterious, creating one of the most contentious debates in Mesoamerican archaeology. Built in the Florescent style and along a more ordered plan, it displays many hallmarks of the Toltec civilization, leading scholars to believe that they either conquered Chichen Itza as they expanded their empire from their capital Tula over 1,000 km away, or there was some sort of cultural and trade sharing between the two centres. Common features between the two cities found in architecture and relief sculpture include warrior columns, quetzal-feathered rattlesnakes, the clothing of subjects, chacmools (sacrificial basins in the form of a reclining person), atlantides (support columns in the form of standing males), the representation of certain animals, a tzompantli (sacrificial skull rack), Tlaloc (the rain god) incense burners, and personal names represented by glyphs which are present at both sites but which are not Maya.
Alternative to the two-period view, the Americas historian George Kubler divides the buildings of Chichen Itza into three distinct phases: prior to 800 CE, from 800 to 1050 CE, and 1050-1200 CE. Kubler adds that the latter stage saw the addition of ornate narrative reliefs to many of the buildings at the site. It has also been suggested that due to various styles of architecture pre-dating those found at the Toltec capital Tula, it may actually have been Chichen Itza which influenced the Toltec rather than the reverse. The exact relationship between the two cultures has yet to be ascertained for certain, and there are certainly other Mesoamerican (but non-Toltec) architectural and artistic features at Chichen Itza which are evidence of an influence from other sites such as Xochicalco and El Tajin.
Chichen Itza fell into a rapid decline from 1200 CE, and Mayapán became the new capital. However, unlike many other sites, Chichen Itza never disappeared from memory, and the city continued to be revered and esteemed as a place of ancestry and pilgrimage into the Postclassic period and up to the Spanish conquest, and even beyond.
Christ the Redeemer is a statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that was built as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity. In 1850, the idea of building a religious monument was first suggested by a Catholic Priest. It wasn't until 1920 when a group petitioned for support to build a landmark statue that it became a reality. The design was chosen from several ideas and construction began in the 1920s, taking nine years to finish. Today, Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Interesting Facts:
Christ the Redeemer is the largest art deco statue in the world. It is 98 feet tall (not including the 26 foot pedestal), and the arms stretch to 92 feet wide.
The statue weighs approximately 635 tonnes.
Christ the Redeemer is located in the Tijuca Forest National Forest, at the top of the Corcovado Mountain.
The statue is considered an icon of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.
Christ the Redeemer is the 5th largest statue of Jesus.
The first suggestion to build a large religious monument was made in the 1850s by a Catholic priest names Pedro Maria Boss. The request for financing wasn't approved because Princess Isabel was not a fan of the idea. The request was officially denied in 1889 when Brazil mandated the separation of church and state. A petition started by a group in the early 1920s, called the Catholic Circle of Rio, was successful. Construction began in 1922 and took nine years to complete.
The money to build Christ the Redeemer came from Brazil's Catholic community.
There were several designs to choose from. One was a depiction of the Christian cross. Another was a statue of Jesus holding a globe, while standing over a pedestal that was to symbolize the world.
The chosen statue is meant to show that Christ loves all and will embrace all that come to him.
The stones that were used to build Christ the Redeemer came from Sweden.
The statue was completed in 1931. It officially opened on October 12, 1931.
The cost in 1931 was approximately $250,000 US. Today that would roughly be the equivalent of $3.2 million US.
The statue had to be constructed in pieces and carried to the mountain top to be erected.
The materials used to build Christ the Redeemer were reinforced concrete and soapstone.
The right arm points to south Rio de Janeiro and the left arm points to north Rio de Janeiro.
In 2008 a violent electrical storm resulted in a lightning strike to the statue. The head, eyebrows and fingers were damaged. The soapstone exterior of the statue prevented severe damage as it acted as an insulator. The Rio de Janeiro state government began a restoration effort. They replaced some layers of soapstone and repaired the lightning rods on the statue.
All the stone used in restoration efforts came from the same quarry as the original stone.
Christ the Redeemer was vandalized in 2010 by a housepainter. He had sprayed the head and right arm with graffiti. The culprit was later identified.
In 2003 there were escalators, elevators and walkways installed. These made it possible to access the platform that surrounds Christ the Redeemer.
This statue became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World on July 7th, 2007.
6. Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built by a Mongul emperor named Sahah Jahan, for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Sahah Jahan was born in 1592, while his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal was born in 1593. They married in 1612 and had seven children. In 1628 Shah Jahan became the Mongul Emperor. Only three years later his beloved wife died shortly after childbirth. In 1632 Sahah Jahan began the project of building a mausoleum, or tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal.
Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whom he held precious. Mumtaz Mahal was giving birth to the fourteenth child of the emperor, and she died in the process. This was in 1631. Legend has it that Shah Jahan, who considered his empress an integral part of his life, was broken after her death, and within just a few months, his hair and beard grew snow white, such was the terrible impact of the demise upon him.
Time and amount
The construction of the Taj Mahal was begun in 1632, a year after the death of Empress Mumtaz. The construction was completed in the year 1653, which means that it took approximately 22 years to complete this astounding piece of architecture. At that time, the estimated construction cost was a whopping sum of Rs. 32 million, which, when considered in terms of today’s value of money, would be something way above $1 billion.
Construction and employees
The architect behind all the magic was Ahmed Lahauri. He put more than 20,000 people into building the Taj, including labourers, stonecutters, painters, embroidery artists, calligraphers, and many others. But, how were the stones and materials required for the construction of the mausoleum transported? Well, elephants were employed to do the task, and amazingly, there were more than 1,000 of the majestic creatures employed.
Materials Used
The magnificent edifice is bounded on three sides by red stone walls. It is constructed completely of white marble. The emperor had marbles of the best quality brought from Rajasthan, Afghanistan, Tibet and China. But this was probably not enough for the emperor. It is believed that more than 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones, including the striking lapis lazuli, were inlaid into the marble. Now we know where all the money went.
Inscriptions
The Taj Mahal being the dedication and homage of Mumtaz Mahal, it has calligraphy all over the interior and exterior, which, among other patterns and holy inscriptions, also has calligraphy on the tomb that identifies and praises Mumtaz Mahal. Another interesting fact is that there are 99 names of Allah found on the sides of the actual tomb as calligraphic inscriptions. After all, Shah Jahan did envision Mumtaz’s home in the paradise, and Taj Mahal was that imagination coming to life.
5. Roman Colosseum
Located just east of the Roman Forum, the massive stone amphitheater known as the Colosseum was commissioned around A.D. 70-72 by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty as a gift to the Roman people. In A.D. 80, Vespasian’s son Titus opened the Colosseum–officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater–with 100 days of games, including gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. After four centuries of active use, the magnificent arena fell into neglect, and up until the 18th century it was used as a source of building materials. Though two-thirds of the original Colosseum has been destroyed over time, the amphitheater remains a popular tourist destination, as well as an iconic symbol of Rome and its long, tumultuous history.
History of the Colosseum - Facts and Information
The content of this article provides interesting facts and information relating to the History of the Colosseum. Our perception is perhaps that gladiatorial combat started with the Colosseum which able to stage elaborate and organised combats between hundreds of gladiators using various fighting styles. This perception is incorrect. Gladiatorial games started in Rome over 300 years before the Colosseum was built. The Colosseum did not exist during the lives of many of the most famous Romans such as the dictator Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Neither had the Colosseum been built during the reigns of emperors such as Augustus, Tiberius, Nero, Caligula or Claudius. We have to look back before the Roman Colosseum was actually built to gain an insight into the history of the Colosseum and why the terrifying Arena of Death was ever built. The scale of the Gladiatorial Games increased from just a small number of participants to the massive numbers of gladiators seen in the spectacles of Roman Colosseum watched by up to 80,000 people. The History of the Colosseum.
The First Gladiatorial Fight
The History of the Colosseum began in Rome when the first recorded gladiatorial fight was staged in 264AD. Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva put on a gladiatorial combat to honor the memory of his deceased father who was a consul named D. Junius Brutus Pera. Three pairs of slaves, selected from among 22 prisoners of war, were chosen to fight. The first gladiatorial fight took place in the Forum Boarium, a cattle market, situated near the Tiber between the Capitoline, the Palatine and Aventine hills. As this was the funeral of a prominent aristocrat and held in a public space, the event was likely to have drawn a large crowd. This first Gladiatorial combat was a clever idea as it also brought political prestige to their family¹s name. So the history of gladiatorial combat and therefore the Colosseum is related to a funeral. The History of the Colosseum.
The Roman Funeral
Why does the History of the Colosseum and gladiatorial combat relate to the Roman funeral, what was the connection? The religion of the Romans revolved around the worship of various gods and goddesses and their belief in the afterlife. Romans believed that human sacrifice at the dead person's funeral would appease the pagan gods and ensure a satisfactory entrance into the afterlife. Earlier customs of sacrificing prisoners on the graves of warriors or aristocrats were followed by Romans. Ceremonies connected with the dead lasted for nine days after the funeral, at the end of which time a sacrifice was performed. The Romans believed that "souls of the dead were propitiated by human blood..." Preparation for Roman funeral rites involved captives or slaves being bought, trained to kill and then sacrificed during the funeral rituals. This funereal ritual, or sacrificial ceremony, was called a munus - a duty paid to a dead ancestor by his descendants, with the intention of keeping alive his memory. At these ceremonies slaves or servants attended the funeral dressed as Pluto or Charon who were the gods of the dead. The god Charon ferried the dead across the Styx and an attendant, playing the role of Charon, symbolically carried away the bodies of the dead gladiators during the religious ceremonies. This symbolism was transferred to the Roman Colosseum when dead gladiators were escorted by a figure depicting Charon from the arena. The History of the Colosseum.
Origin and History of the Colosseum - The Rise of the Gladiator Games
The first gladiator fight was so successful that Roman aristocrats soon copied the idea. These funeral games, or munera, were held annually or every five years for the purpose of keeping the dead person's memory alive. The events grew bigger and more elaborate and at the funeral of P. Licinius Crassus, who had been Pontifex Maximus one hundred and twenty gladiators fought and funeral games were celebrated for three days; at the end of which a public banquet was given in the forum. Prominent Roman families competed against each other to produce the best games. What had started with Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva organising three matches as funeral games transformed into public performances. Those organised by Julius Caesar, on the death of his daughter Julia, featured 320 paired gladiator matches. The History of the Colosseum.
Origin, History of the Wooden Arenas and the Concept of the Colosseum
The history and concept of the Colosseum grew from the custom of funeral games. The funeral games were organised as public events by wealthy Roman aristocrats and Patricians. The Gladiator games were popular with the 'mob'. At first gladiator games, or combats, were held in small wooden arenas. The word “arena” means sand, a reference to the thick layer of sand on the floor for the purpose of soaking up the blood. But as the popularity of the games grew large amphitheatres were built to house the games. The amphitheatres were round or oval in shape. Their design was taken from joining two half circle wooden theatres together (the word "amphi" means 'both sides').
History of the First Stone Amphitheatre in Rome
The most important amphitheatre, prior to the Colosseum, was the first stone built amphitheatre in Rome which was called the Amphitheater of Statilius Taurus. It was built in 29 BC, on the Campus Martius, by consul Titus Statilius Taurus in the time of the Emperor Augustus. This amphitheatre was quite small and in order to placate the plebs the Emperor Nero built a much bigger, wooden, amphitheatre called the Amphitheatrum Neronis in 57AD. Both of these amphitheatres were completely destroyed in 64AD due to the Great Fire of Rome.
Origin and History of the Colosseum - From Religious to Political Events
Initially the provision of Gladiatorial Games was seen as a method to please the Roman gods and avert Rome from disaster. The Romans who were responsible for staging such events grew in popularity, so the 'games' became political events by which prominent Romans could gain popularity with the mob. By the first century A.D. providing gladiatorial games even became a requirement of some public offices. It was not long before the concept of a permanent stone arena was born which would become known as the Colosseum. The History of the Colosseum.
Vespasian and the Flavian Amphitheatre (the Colosseum)
The terrible reign of the Emperor Nero and the burning of Rome led to Civil War. The turmoil ended when Vespasian became emperor. Vespasian founded the Flavian dynasty, so called because all of the Emperors of the Flavian dynasty bore the name Flavius. After the death of Nero morale and the confidence of Roman citizens was at an all time low. Vespasian had to get support back from the people. His idea was to demolish the palace of Nero and construct a permanent arena designed as a massive amphitheatre for housing free gladiator games and other entertainment for the amusement of the 'mob', the Plebs. The palace of Nero was called the Domus Aurea (Latin for "Golden House") and was a large landscaped portico villa. The construction of the 'Flavian Amphitheatre' started in c70AD.
The Flavian Amphitheatre is Called the Colosseum
The Colosseum was originally called the the Flavian Amphitheatre. The original name of the Flavian Amphitheatre was given due to it being built by Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Emperor Vespasian) who founded the Flavian dynasty. It was soon given the name Colosseum which was taken from the Latin word 'colosseus' meaning colossal. This was in reference to the gigantic statue of the Emperor Nero which had been previously erected near the site of the Colosseum. This statue of Nero, believed to have been cast in bronze, measured 100 to 120 Roman feet (37m) high and had become a landmark in the centre of the city of Rome. The History of the Colosseum.
The Construction of the Colosseum
The Colosseum would become a symbol of the might, the wealth and the power of the Roman Empire. Construction started in c70AD and was financed from the proceeds gained from the Roman sacking of Jerusalem. The successful campaign against Judea was ordered by Vespasian and led by his son, Titus. The Colosseum took less than 10 years to build, a remarkable achievement for the excellent engineers and their famous engineering skills. The architecture of the Roman Colosseum illustrates their use of one of the Romans most famous inventions - concrete. The Emperor Vespasian died on 23 June 79 and never saw the completed Colosseum. In A.D. 81 Emperor Titus dedicated the Colosseum in the city of Rome. The History of the Colosseum.
History of the Colosseum and the Roman Emperors
Many Roman Emperors enjoyed the spectacles that the Colosseum had to offer and many of the gladiatorial games were financed by the emperors themselves. The history of the bloody arena continues through the reigns of various emperors, the emergence of the new Christian religion, the horror stories of the deaths of Christian martyrs in the Colosseum, the Gladiator fights and the killing of thousands of exotic animals in Ancient Rome. There was even an Emperor who took great delight in participating in the gladiator games held at the Colosseum - the Emperor Commodus. Commodus was the Emperor featured in the Russell Crowe movie Gladiator. The Roman Emperors and the Colosseum played a huge part in the history of the Persecution of the Christians.
Telemachus and the End of the Gladiatorial Games
The Gladiatorial games at the Colosseum ended during the reign of the Emperor Honorius. Stilicho had defeated the Goths at Verona in June 403, it was the last Roman victory, and it was celebrated by the last Roman triumph followed by Gladiatorial games in the Colosseum. In the midst of the bloodshed a voice was heard bidding it to cease in the name of Christ, and between the swords there was seen standing a monk holding up his hand and keeping back the blows. There was a shout of rage, and he was stoned to death by the outraged 'mob' and killed. It was found that he was an Egyptian monk named Telemachus. The death of Telemachus put an to gladiator combats. Chariot races and games went on but the terrible sports of death and blood were ended for ever. The last known gladiatorial fight in the Roman Colosseum therefore took place during the reign of Honorius. The Emperor Honorius, finally decreed the end of gladiatorial contests in 399 AD. The last known gladiator competition in the city of Rome occurred on January 1, 404 AD. The Sack of Rome occurred on August 24, 410 when the city was attacked by the Visigoths, led by Alaric I. The Roman capital had already been moved to the Italian city of Ravenna by Honorius, after the Visigoths entered Italy. The Visigoths destroyed many of the aqueducts leading to Rome. Without a fresh supply of water the city could no longer function. The Romans fled from the city - the glory days of Rome were finished. The History of the Colosseum.
Modern History of the Colosseum
The History of the Colosseum moves on to the amphitheatre falling into decline. The outer walls were stripped of marble and even the iron cramps were removed and used to make weapons (the holes left in the Colosseum can be seen today). The Colosseum had various uses from housing vagrants to providing shelter to animals. Uses included housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry and as a Christian shrine. Today the glory days of the Colosseum have returned - the number of visitors and tourists to the Colosseum is estimated at over 5 million per year, all interested in the terrifying history of the Colosseum.
History of the Colosseum
The content of this History of the Colosseum category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and history research for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting different categories containing the history, facts and information about Ancient Rome. The History of the Colosseum.
4. Machu Picchu
History
The history of Machu Picchu is complex and fascinating, and before you arrive at the Lost City of the Incas, you might be interested in learning about it. This site is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization; it is also one of the world's most important archeological sites. It should come as no surprise how many travelers plan hiking tours to reach the lost city, but how many of them know what they're looking at? A little background can go a long way to enhancing your visit to Machu Picchu.
One incredible fact about Machu Picchu is that although it was built in the 1400s, it was hardly known of outside the region until 1911. An American professor named Hiram Bingham found the site despite the fact that the Incans did a thorough job at keeping secret the lost city, which is located nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. Once this discovery occurred, a wealth of information about the history of Machu Picchu was uncovered. There were 135 skeletons that were found at the site, and more than 100 were women. Archaeologists have speculated that Machu Picchu was a temple or sanctuary for high priests and women who have been referred to as Virgins of the Sun, though more recent research has convinced many that it was built as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti, who ruled from 1438 until 1471 or 1472.
There are many intriguing aspects of the history of Machu Picchu, with one of the most fascinating being the relatively small period of its use. This intricate and beautiful complex was built at the height of the Inca Empire, but it was in use for less than 100 years-around the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, in the early sixteenth century, Machu Picchu was abandoned. After its rediscovery, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and the visitors have not stopped arriving since, as the iconic peaks of Machu Picchu are among the most dazzling archaeological sites worldwide.
This site has helped historians to learn more about the Inca civilization. Archaeologists have divided all the sections of the site into three categories: religious, agricultural, and urban. If you hire a guide during your trip to Machu Picchu, you will always know what you're looking at. Examples of some elements of the larger site include Great Central Temple, known for its intricate stonework. Nearby is the Temple of the Sun where the best stonework of the whole archeological site can be found. When you visit Machu Picchu, be prepared to climb steps that reveal astounding views of the whole valley.
Another interesting historical fact that perhaps saved important details about the Inca civilization is the fact that the Spanish conquerors never found Machu Picchu. While the Spanish were responsible for plundering many other Incan sites, this most sacred site remained a secret. Over the course of centuries, much of the site became overgrown. While it was known by the local people, it wasn't discovered for the rest of the world until 1911 when an 11-year-old boy led Professor Bingham to the site. Bingham called his book about the ruins The Lost City of the Incas-it makes for fascinating reading before a trip to Peru if you want to arrive well versed in the history of Machu Picchu.
3. Lost City of Petra
The Greek word “Petra” means “rock”. Hence the city of Petra is synonymous with its name. This ancient city was carved out of stone. The city of Petra is situated in the south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The spectacular archaeological ruins in the Middle East, Petra (Jordan) represents an ancient Arab culture and architecture that flourished more than 2,000 years ago. Featuring several rock-cut buildings and structures, this city from the bygone era is located on the slope of the biblical Mount Hor in Jordan. It was built by the resident ancient Arab tribe named Nabataeans, who were initially nomadic but industrious. The valley in those days fell on the famous trade route linking Egypt, Rome, Syria, and Greece with China, Arabia, and India, better known in history as the Silk Route.
Petra for almost five centuries was hidden to the outside world, until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. It is therefore called the ‘Lost City’. Since, its introduction to the west, Petra has become Jordan’s top tourist attraction. Today, it’s mesmerizing grandeur has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007).
Interesting Facts
Petra is alternatively known as the Rose Red City, owing to its buildings that are carved into rose-red colored sandstone hills. The red-tinged mountains surrounding Petra on its three sides make it look like a fortress. Nabataeans made good use of this fact and used a unique hydraulic system to preserve water, thus creating an artificial oasis. The Silk Route traders used this city for resting and trading various items. With high economy came valuable treasures and antiquities. A number of buildings and monuments were built. Petra is believed to have been one of the most affluent cities during the 1st centuries BC to AD, with a population of almost 30,000 people.
Petra saw its decline from the 3rd century AD onwards, which happened due to several factors, beginning with the change in the trade route from land to sea. The city also experienced a number of earthquakes that led to the destruction of many of the buildings and its evacuation in the 6th century AD. The buildings that were carved into the cliffs were naturally saved and are still standing. Many of its carvings though are lost due to pollution, weathering, and robberies.
Petra Entrance
The entrance to Petra is dramatic. You have to walk through a narrow gorge of more than 1 km. This gorge is flanked by tall cliffs of about 80 km, and is called Siq. Your first peek of Petra (and first view of the Al Khazneh) comes while you are nearing the end of the Siq.
Al Khazneh and Other Buildings of Petra
Literally meaning the ‘Treasury’, Al Khazneh is a must-see in Petra. Carved straight out of a cliff, this monument’s facade is an impressive piece of Greek-influenced architectural engineering. It is believed to have been built as a mausoleum at the start of the 1st century AD. The gunshots that you see on the facade were to find a treasure.
While walking down the Petra passageways, you will come across more than 800 structures like tombs, temples, churches, public buildings, a 3,000-seater amphitheater, and a monastery (Ad-Deir Monastery with 800 steps). You can also see here diversion dams, channels, and networked cisterns that were used to conserve water from the seasonal rains.
2. Lost City of Petra
The Greek word “Petra” means “rock”. Hence the city of Petra is synonymous with its name. This ancient city was carved out of stone. The city of Petra is situated in the south of the Jordanian capital, Amman.
The spectacular archaeological ruins in the Middle East, Petra (Jordan) represents an ancient Arab culture and architecture that flourished more than 2,000 years ago. Featuring several rock-cut buildings and structures, this city from the bygone era is located on the slope of the biblical Mount Hor in Jordan. It was built by the resident ancient Arab tribe named Nabataeans, who were initially nomadic but industrious. The valley in those days fell on the famous trade route linking Egypt, Rome, Syria, and Greece with China, Arabia, and India, better known in history as the Silk Route.
Petra for almost five centuries was hidden to the outside world, until its rediscovery by a Swiss explorer named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. It is therefore called the ‘Lost City’. Since, its introduction to the west, Petra has become Jordan’s top tourist attraction. Today, it’s mesmerizing grandeur has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World (2007).
Interesting Facts
Petra is alternatively known as the Rose Red City, owing to its buildings that are carved into rose-red colored sandstone hills. The red-tinged mountains surrounding Petra on its three sides make it look like a fortress. Nabataeans made good use of this fact and used a unique hydraulic system to preserve water, thus creating an artificial oasis. The Silk Route traders used this city for resting and trading various items. With high economy came valuable treasures and antiquities. A number of buildings and monuments were built. Petra is believed to have been one of the most affluent cities during the 1st centuries BC to AD, with a population of almost 30,000 people.
Petra saw its decline from the 3rd century AD onwards, which happened due to several factors, beginning with the change in the trade route from land to sea. The city also experienced a number of earthquakes that led to the destruction of many of the buildings and its evacuation in the 6th century AD. The buildings that were carved into the cliffs were naturally saved and are still standing. Many of its carvings though are lost due to pollution, weathering, and robberies.
Petra Entrance
The entrance to Petra is dramatic. You have to walk through a narrow gorge of more than 1 km. This gorge is flanked by tall cliffs of about 80 km, and is called Siq. Your first peek of Petra (and first view of the Al Khazneh) comes while you are nearing the end of the Siq.
Al Khazneh and Other Buildings of Petra
Literally meaning the ‘Treasury’, Al Khazneh is a must-see in Petra. Carved straight out of a cliff, this monument’s facade is an impressive piece of Greek-influenced architectural engineering. It is believed to have been built as a mausoleum at the start of the 1st century AD. The gunshots that you see on the facade were to find a treasure.
While walking down the Petra passageways, you will come across more than 800 structures like tombs, temples, churches, public buildings, a 3,000-seater amphitheater, and a monastery (Ad-Deir Monastery with 800 steps). You can also see here diversion dams, channels, and networked cisterns that were used to conserve water from the seasonal rains.
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, located at the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula of modern Mexico, was a Maya city which was later significantly influenced by the Toltec civilization. Flourishing between c. 750 and 1200 CE, the site is rich in monumental architecture and sculpture which promote themes of militarism and displays imagery of jaguars, eagles, and feathered-serpents. Probably a capital city ruling over a confederacy of neighbouring states, Chichen Itza was one of the great Mesoamerican cities and remains today one of the most popular tourist sites in Mexico.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
The name Chichen Itza probably derives from a large sinkhole known as the Sacred Cenote or 'mouth of the well of the Itza' into which the Maya threw offerings of jade and gold, and as the presence of bones testifies, human sacrifices. The early history of the site is still not clear, but settlement was certain by the Classic period (c. 250-900 CE). With the collapse of Teotihuacan, migrants may have come to the site from varying parts of Mesoamerica, and it seems likely there was contact with the Itza, a Maya group. A second period of construction seems to coincide with influence from the Toltec civilization. That Chichen Itza was a thriving trade centre with a port at Isla Cerritos is evidenced by finds of goods from elsewhere in Central America, for example, turquoise from the north, gold disks from the south, and obsidian from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The cultivation of cacao is known, and the city may have controlled the lucrative salt beds on the nearby northern coast.
The city has been traditionally divided into two distinct parts and periods, even if there is some overlap both in time and design, and together they cover some 16 square kilometres. The earliest, in the south, is native Maya dating to the Epiclassic period (c. 800-1000 CE) with buildings displaying the distinct 'Puuc' architectural style and Maya hieroglyphs. The plan is more spread out than other parts of the city and, constructed on a roughly north-south axis, may reflect the course of the Xtoloc Cenote water source.
The second part of the city has been traditionally dated to 1000-1200 CE and is more mysterious, creating one of the most contentious debates in Mesoamerican archaeology. Built in the Florescent style and along a more ordered plan, it displays many hallmarks of the Toltec civilization, leading scholars to believe that they either conquered Chichen Itza as they expanded their empire from their capital Tula over 1,000 km away, or there was some sort of cultural and trade sharing between the two centres. Common features between the two cities found in architecture and relief sculpture include warrior columns, quetzal-feathered rattlesnakes, the clothing of subjects, chacmools (sacrificial basins in the form of a reclining person), atlantides (support columns in the form of standing males), the representation of certain animals, a tzompantli (sacrificial skull rack), Tlaloc (the rain god) incense burners, and personal names represented by glyphs which are present at both sites but which are not Maya.
Alternative to the two-period view, the Americas historian George Kubler divides the buildings of Chichen Itza into three distinct phases: prior to 800 CE, from 800 to 1050 CE, and 1050-1200 CE. Kubler adds that the latter stage saw the addition of ornate narrative reliefs to many of the buildings at the site. It has also been suggested that due to various styles of architecture pre-dating those found at the Toltec capital Tula, it may actually have been Chichen Itza which influenced the Toltec rather than the reverse. The exact relationship between the two cultures has yet to be ascertained for certain, and there are certainly other Mesoamerican (but non-Toltec) architectural and artistic features at Chichen Itza which are evidence of an influence from other sites such as Xochicalco and El Tajin.
Chichen Itza fell into a rapid decline from 1200 CE, and Mayapán became the new capital. However, unlike many other sites, Chichen Itza never disappeared from memory, and the city continued to be revered and esteemed as a place of ancestry and pilgrimage into the Postclassic period and up to the Spanish conquest, and even beyond.
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