Last additions - Ancient Sites Photo Gallery |
Israel, Masada - Walls and Roman Seige Ramp in side viewJul 28, 2013
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Israel, Masada - Roman Encampment and Seige RampLooking down on the stone wall outlines of one of the Roman encampments (middle upper right) that surrounded the fortress of Masada (another of Herod's Palaces in its glory days). The Roman seige ramp is to the lower left.Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, Masada - Looking Down the Roman Seige RampIndustrious bunch those Romans!Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, Masada - pile of ancient catapult projectiles - Ouch!Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima The view north from Herod's Palace, looking over the hippodrome to the ancient port area beyond the distant headland.Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - the less desirable view south from Herod's PalaceDog's in the palace pool and now this. How the mighty have fallen!Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - the sweet view from Herod's PalaceJul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - Herod's Palace PoolsideJul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - Herod's PoolJul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesarea Maritima - Herod's HippodromeJul 28, 2013
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Israel, Caesearea Maritima Hippodrome - Tsunami DepositThe light coloured, upward fining, middle layer is a tsumai deposit preserved in the this overburden remnant in the excavated hippodrome at Caesarea Maritima.Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, The Herodium - Water CisternJul 28, 2013
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Israel, The Herodium Pool ComplexJul 28, 2013
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Israel, The Herodium - Summit Interior ViewJul 28, 2013
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Israel, The Herodium TheatreThe Herodium theatre immediately downslope of Herod's tomb. Sadly it was from this point that Ehud Netzer, the discoverer of Herod's tomb fell to his death in 2010, three years after his epic discovery.Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, The HerodiumThe Herodium, 12 km south of Jerusalem, the site of one of Herod's residences and the location of his tomb. The buildings mid-slope to the left of centre are the site of the excavation of Herod's tomb.Jul 28, 2013
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Israel, Megiddo / Jezreel ValleyA view of the Jezreel Valley in the distance looking out from atop Tel Megiddo. The Jezreel Valley will be the site of the final battle between the armies of God and Satan as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. This photo was taken in June 2012 during a two week trip my wife and I took to Israel and Jordan.
cmcdon0923Jul 26, 2013
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Israel, Scythopolis ampitheatreA picture of the ampitheatre in Scythopolis, taken from the top of the even more ancient Beit She'an mound. Running in the foreground is the cardo. This was taken in June 2012 during a two week trip my wife and I took to Israel and Jordan.cmcdon0923Jul 21, 2013
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Egypt, BabylonThis elegant red and white banded brickwork is about all that remains on the surface to mark the Roman fortress of ‘Babylon in Egypt’. The Roman structure was started during the reign of Trajan on the site of an earlier Egyptian stronghold which marked the border between Lower and Middle Egypt. The fortress remained an important strategic outpost down through Byzantine times. In the fifth century the Legio XIII Gemina was stationed here. During the Arab conquest of Egypt in 640/1, Babylon endured a seven month siege before its capture.
These days most of the extensive Babylon complex lies buried under the streets of the Christian quarter of Old Cairo. The nearby medieval Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary is popularly known as the ‘Hanging Church’ because its nave was built suspended over two towers of the Roman fort.
Abu GalyonOct 04, 2012
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Egypt, Cairo - NilometerThis octagonal pillar is the only surviving Nilometer in Cairo, tucked away in a kiosk on the island of Roda, in the middle of the Nile. When in use, the height of water in the pit measured the annual flooding of the river. In an ideal year the water would rise to the 16th of the marked divisions (each one cubit, approximately 52cm) decorating the column.
The Nilometer is an attribute of the titular river god, Nilus (equivalent to the Egyptian deity, Hapy), and often features on coin reverses depicting Nilus.
The surrounding structure is itself of architectural significance and dates to 861 CE. Which means those pointed arches set into the walls predate the European Gothic style by around 250 years – they could be the earliest pointed arches anywhere in the world.
Abu GalyonSep 24, 2012
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France, Orange - Triumphal ArchIt was built on the former via Agrippa to honor the veterans of the Gallic Wars and Legio II Augusta. It was later reconstructed by emperor Tiberius to celebrate the victories of Germanicus over the German tribes in Rhineland.paxSep 17, 2012
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Spain, Segovia - AqueductViriathusSep 01, 2012
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Spain, Talaiot de Torellonet VellPlace: Torellonet Vell, Menorca
Country: Spain
The talaiot is the most significant structure of the prehistorical culture of Minorca and Majorca. Its characteristics are very varied but always bears a similarity with a tower. Although some talaiots have been found with an interior room, generally, the area that is used more frequently would be at the top, which is now mostly in ruins.
Nonetheless, the large talaiot depicted in this photo, Torelló 1, still has a well preserved door-window open to the south. It seems that the construction had diverse buildings embedded around it.
Although the excavation of the superior camera gave Roman chandeliers and ceramics, the remains of a factory of brass foundry was found west of the talaiot (where several molds, a faulty axe and Talaiotic ceramic were located) which seem to date the construction of the monument before the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.
ViriathusSep 01, 2012
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Spain, Torre d'en Galmés, MenorcaPlace: Torre d'en Galmés, Menorca
Country: Spain
Torre d'en Galmés is situated on a small hill that dominates most of the southern part of the island Minorca. On clear days it is possible to see the mountains of neighbouring Majorca. In prehistoric times it would have been possible to observe a large numbers of talaiotic towns from this position which leads to think that Torre d'en Galmés exercised a position of authority.
The Cartailhac Circle, named in honour of the eminent French archaeologist Émile Cartailhac, author of "Primitive Monuments on the Balearic Islands (1892)", was inhabitated between 250-50 BC. Its external wall is made with flagstones placed vertically on a baseboard.
In the interior, we see the remains of a central patio, with numerous fallen architectural elements (mullions, lintels, pilasters...), and three rooms around it.
To each side of the entrance there is a small covered space, with the roof below the superior level of the stones of the external facade, which seems to indicate that, at least above these spaces, there was a floor.
ViriathusSep 01, 2012
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Spain, Torre d'en Galmés, Menorca - The Cartailhac CirclePlace: Torre d'en Galmés, Menorca
Country: Spain
Torre d'en Galmés is situated on a small hill that dominates most of the southern part of the island Minorca. On clear days it is possible to see the mountains of neighbouring Majorca. In prehistoric times it would have been possible to observe a large numbers of talaiotic towns from this position which leads to think that Torre d'en Galmés exercised a position of authority.
The Cartailhac Circle, named in honour of the eminent French archaeologist Émile Cartailhac, author of "Primitive Monuments on the Balearic Islands (1892)", was inhabitated between 250-50 BC. Its external wall is made with flagstones placed vertically on a baseboard.
In the interior, we see the remains of a central patio, with numerous fallen architectural elements (mullions, lintels, pilasters...), and three rooms around it.
To each side of the entrance there is a small covered space, with the roof below the superior level of the stones of the external facade, which seems to indicate that, at least above these spaces, there was a floor.
ViriathusSep 01, 2012
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Spain, Torralba d'en SalordPlace: Torralba d'en Salord, Menorca
Country: Spain
Torralba d'en Salord is a prehistoric talaiotic settlement located on the island of Minorca between the towns of Mahon and Alayor. Chronologically, it lies between 1000 BC and the Roman conquest. Although it lasted until the Middle Ages.
The large T-shaped monument that is depicted in the photo is called a Taula, and it's probably a sanctuary. A U-shaped wall encloses the Taulas; these precincts are 3000 years old, but the age of its central monuments is unknown. This Taula measures 5 meters tall and it's the largest of its kind.
ViriathusSep 01, 2012
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Spain, Naveta des TudonsPlace: Naveta des Tudons, Menorca
Country: Spain
The Naveta des Tudons is the most famous megalithic chamber tomb in Minorca. It was used between 1200 y 750 BC. It is a collective tomb which contained, when it was discovered in 1975 at least 100 men and different objects like bronze bracelets or bone and ceramic buttons.
The legend says that two brothers were competing for the love of a girl. To decide who would be the chosen one, they started a construction, and the first one to finish it would marry the girl. One of them decided to build the naveta and the other one a well. The time run and when the last stone was going to be placed on the naveta, the other brother shouted: "Water, water!!". Then, the brother who was building the naveta, very angry, threw the last stone (the one that is missing on the top) into the well, killing his brother. Then, feeling remorse for what he had done, he killed himself. It is said that the girl died alone and was buried in the naveta.ViriathusSep 01, 2012
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Czech Republic, Morava hypocaustum at roman military camp - times of Marcomannic WarsBohemianMay 10, 2012
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Slovakia, Gerulata Roman military camp located near today's Rusovce, a borough of Bratislava, Slovakia. It was part of the Roman province Pannonia and built in the 2nd century as a part of the Limes Romanus system. It was abandoned in the 4th century, when Roman legions withdrew from Pannonia.
Today there is a museum, which is part of the Bratislava City Museum.
The most preserved object is a quadrilateral building 30 metres long and 30 metres wide, with 2.4 metre thick walls.BohemianMay 10, 2012
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Italy, Ostia - antica Thermae BohemianMay 10, 2012
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Greece, Thera - Akrotiri Minoan settelment was destroyed by the great Thera eruption around 1628 BC which caused the end of Neopalatial period on Crete. People managed to evacuate Thera before eruption unlike Pompeii but probably they were killed by tsunami on Crete coast.
wikipedia:"Minoans possessed advanced engineering knowledge enabling the construction of three- and four-story buildings with intricate water piping systems, advanced air-flow management, and earthquake-resistant wood and masonry walls."J. B.Mar 20, 2012
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Croatia, Split - Diocletian's palace, basementRomans who escaped from near Salona in 7th century reocupied Diocletian's palace. They lived in higher floors above basement. These rooms was gradually filled by garbage through holes in ceiling so basment remained preserved until these days. J. B.Mar 20, 2012
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Croatia, Split - Diocletian's palace, basementRomans who escaped from near Salona in 7th century reocupied Diocletian's palace. They lived in higher floors above basement. These rooms was gradually filled by garbage through holes in ceiling so basment remained preserved until these days. J. B.Mar 20, 2012
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Croatia, Split - Diocletian's palace, temple of Jupiterinterior with modern statue
Temple was converted to babtistery later.J. B.Mar 20, 2012
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Croatia, Split - Diocletian's palace - temple of Jupiterlater converted to babtisteryJ. B.Mar 20, 2012
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Greece, Thera - Akrotiri Minoan settelment destroyed by the great Thera eruption around 1628 BC which caused the end of Neopalatial period on Crete. Thera could be mythical Atlantis.J. B.Mar 19, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floorPost-Theodorian North hall (middle of the 4th century)J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floorRam and battle between Cock and Tortoise. The Cock is symbol of the light of a new day, thus representing Christ, the "light of the world". The tortoise, whose Greek name means "dweller of the darkness", is instead of the symbol of Evil.
Post-Theodorian North hall (middle of the 4th century)J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - basilicaBasilica is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Saints Hermagora and Fortunatus and was built in the first half of the 11th century by Patriarch Poppo in Romanesque style. Upper parts and roof were built by Markward von Randeck in 14th-15th century in Gothic style.
Mosaics from 4th century were hidden under the floor until 1909.J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floorFishing scene describes the preaching of the Apostles ("Follow me and I will make you fishers of men":Matthew 4,19). The fishes represent the people listening to the good news, the boat is symbol of the church, the net represents the kingdom of heaven ("The kingdom of heaven is like big net that was cast into the sea...": Matthew 13,47).
Post-Theodorian South hall (end of 4th century)
Mosaics were originally part of Theodorian complex destroyed by Attila. Basilica was built on its site in 1031 and mosaics remained untouched under the floor.J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floorscene of the Good Shepherd with the Mystic Flock
Christ is portrayed as a beardless young man bearing the lost lamb upon his shoulders. In one hand he holds the syrinx, symbol of the gentless he takes cere of his flock with.
Post-Theodorian South hall (end of 4th century)
Mosaics were originally part of Theodorian complex destroyed by Attila. Basilica was built on its site in 1031 and mosaics remained untouched under the floor.J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floorPost-Theodorian South hall (end of 4th century)
Mosaics were originally part of Theodorian complex destroyed by Attila. Basilica was built on its site in 1031 and mosaics remained untouched under the floor.J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - mosaic floorJonas swallowed by sea monster
Post-Theodorian South hall (end of 4th century)
Mosaics were originally part of Theodorian complex destroyed by Attila. Basilica was built on its site in 1031 and mosaics remained untouched under the floor.J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - forumJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Aquileia - Roman houseJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Ferentium - Roman theatreJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Ferentium - Roman theatreJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Orvieto - Etruscan templeJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Vulci - cryptoporticohall in the basement of magnificent aristocrat's residence from the late 2nd century BCJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Vulci - Great TempleEtruscan temple was at this site since 6th century BC, rebuilt by Romans.J. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Vulci - brick edificeremains of Roman thermal complexJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Cerveteri - Etruscan necropolisJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Cerveteri - Etruscan necropolisJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Cerveteri - Etruscan necropolisTomba dei Rilievi
4th century BCJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Cerveteri - Etruscan necropolisTomba dei Rilievi
4th century BCJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Volterra - Roman theatre first century BCJ. B.Feb 18, 2012
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Italy, Thurium, Planning assumptions of Thurium (Lucania)Planning assumptions of Thurium, by Archaeological Museum of Sibaritide (Sibari, Cs, Italy).Feb 10, 2012
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Italy, Cosenza, Sibari (Thurium), StreetLucania, Thourioi.
Today Sibari (Cosenza), ItalyFeb 10, 2012
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Italy, Sybaris, Planning assumptions of Sybaris (Lucania)Planning assumptions of Sybaris by Archaeological Museum of Sibaritide (Sibari, Cs, Italy)Feb 10, 2012
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Greece, Delos water cisternWater supply was a problem on the dry island of Delos. The solution was found in a mix of cisterns and wells. Cisterns retained the water from the sparse winter rains, while small wells are to be found frequently in residences.Dec 22, 2011
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Greece, Delos - household wellWater supply was a problem on the dry island of Delos. The solution was found in a mix of cisterns and wells. Cisterns retained the water from the sparse winter rains, while small wells are to be found frequently in residences as illustrated by this example.Dec 22, 2011
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Greece, Delos - an altarDec 22, 2011
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Greece, Delos - Temple of IssisThe Cycladic island of Delos was revered in antiquity as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. During the early Classical era it was a sacred religious precinct dedicated to the worship of these gods. In the late fifth century BC, at the peak of its role as a religious sanctuary, neither birth nor death was permitted to occur on the island. However, commercial imperatives were soon to over ride this religious taboo. Delos occupied a central position with respect to the trade routes of the Mediterranean, so that by the late 3rd century BC commercial activity overtook its role as a religious sanctuary. The sacred character of the island dissipated, displaced by a cosmopolitan trading centre. By the 2nd century BC it had evolved to become the centre of the Mediterranean slave trade. Strabo recorded that up to 10,000 people per day were trafficked through its slave market. This role continued into the early Roman era, until in 88 BC Mithradates VI, King of Pontus, decimated the population in an attack on the island. In 69 BC the pirates of Athenodoros destroyed what remained of the commercial centre of Delos and it fell into decline, to be effectively abandoned by the 6th century AD.Dec 21, 2011
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Greece, Delos - On the Ascent to the Summit of Mt KinthosThis sort of material is to be found everywhere on the site of ancient Delos.Dec 21, 2011
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Greece, Delos - Maritime Quarter StreetscapeDec 21, 2011
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Greece, Delos - Wall in the Maritime QuarterRemnant plasterwork and painting illustrates how the coarse stone walls were finished in the residential area that is the Maritime Quarter.Dec 21, 2011
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Greece, Delos - Mosaic Floor in the Maritime QuarterInterestingly this mosaic floor features the symbol of Tanit a Carthaginian goddess.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Delos - from the summit of Mt KinthosAt its peak in the second century BC up to 10,000 slaves per day were trafficked through the slave market at Delos which was focused on the commercial port area to the left of center in the middle distance of this image.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Delos - On the Ascent of Mt KinthosDec 20, 2011
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Greece, Delos - detail of the ancient pathway to Mt KinthosDec 20, 2011
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Greece, Delos - Grotto of HerculesTo be found at the foot of the approach of Mt Kinthos.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Delos - the ancient theatreDec 20, 2011
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Greece, Olympia - epigraphyTo be found on the approach to the ancient Olympic stadium.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Olympia - EpigraphyTo be found on the approach to the ancient Olympic stadium.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Olympia - Temple of HeraDec 20, 2011
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Greece, Olympia - Temple of Zeus fallen columnsDec 20, 2011
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Greece, Athens - The Gate of Schliemann's House - AthensNot exactly an ancient site but as the home of the Greek Numismatic Museum it houses one of the great collections of ancient coins .... a must see on any visit to Athens.
This is photo is of one of the wrought iron gates of Schliemann’s Athenian mansion constructed in 1878/9. The swastika motif derives from his Trojan excavations and borders a design of winged sphinxes and acanthus leaves capped by an owl with spread wings.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Mycenae - The Lion GateI waited a long time for this shot, the nanosecond when any one of the thousands of visitors swarming over the site wasn't visible in the frame. Sometimes you get lucky!Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Olympia - In the Stadium at OlympiaThe winner of the 2006 Ride on Mower final crosses the line in the stadium.Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Olympia in SpringA magical site at any time, but resplendent in Spring!Dec 20, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - Profile of the Charioteer of DelphiDating from the early fifth century BC, this is one of the most hauntingly beautiful works of art. It still speaks after 2,500 years.Dec 19, 2011
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Greece, Athens - The Temple of Olympian Zeus Dec 19, 2011
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Greece, Cape Sounion - The Temple of PoseidonAccording to legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea.Dec 19, 2011
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Greece, Sounion - The Temple of PoseidonNot so ancient graffiti!Dec 19, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - The Stadium at DelphiLooking from the marker at the farthest end from the starting line.Dec 19, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - overlooking the Temple of ApolloDec 19, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - The Theatre at Delphi overlooking the Temple of Apollo with the Treasury of the Athenians in the backgroundDec 19, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - The Temple of Apollo at DelphiDec 19, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - The Charioteer of DelphiThe life-size statue of a chariot driver was found in 1896 at the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. It is now in the Delphi Archaeological Museum.
The statue was erected at Delphi in 474 BC, to commemorate the victory of a chariot team in the Pythian Games, which were held at Delphi every four years in honor of Pythean Apollo.
The beauty of this work is breathtaking.Dec 19, 2011
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Greece, Delphi - The Head of the Charioteer of DelphiThe life-size statue of a chariot driver was found in 1896 at the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. It is now in the Delphi Archaeological Museum.
The statue was erected at Delphi in 474 BC, to commemorate the victory of a chariot team in the Pythian Games, which were held at Delphi every four years in honor of Pythean Apollo.Dec 19, 2011
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