Top 10 Incredible Ancient Ruins

they may have been around for a while

they may have been around for a while but there is aa inspiring as ever

but there is aa inspiring as ever

but there is aa inspiring as ever welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten

counting down our picks for the top ten

counting down our picks for the top ten incredible ancient ruins before we begin

incredible ancient ruins before we begin

incredible ancient ruins before we begin we publish new videos every day so be

we publish new videos every day so be

we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe for more great content

sure to subscribe for more great content

sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re exploring the most

for this list we’re exploring the most

for this list we’re exploring the most impressive jaw-dropping ruins the world

impressive jaw-dropping ruins the world

impressive jaw-dropping ruins the world has to offer to keep things interesting

has to offer to keep things interesting

has to offer to keep things interesting we’re broadening our timeline of ancient

we’re broadening our timeline of ancient

we’re broadening our timeline of ancient history to include sites built past the

history to include sites built past the

history to include sites built past the 5th or 6th centuries ad number 10 encore

5th or 6th centuries ad number 10 encore

5th or 6th centuries ad number 10 encore Wat no trip to Cambodia is complete

Wat no trip to Cambodia is complete

Wat no trip to Cambodia is complete without a visit to this massive

without a visit to this massive

without a visit to this massive world-renowned temple in fact you’ll

world-renowned temple in fact you’ll

world-renowned temple in fact you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to

want to give yourself plenty of time to

want to give yourself plenty of time to explore as this complex is the largest

explore as this complex is the largest

explore as this complex is the largest religious structure on earth and is

religious structure on earth and is

religious structure on earth and is overflowing with things to appreciate

overflowing with things to appreciate

overflowing with things to appreciate built in the 12th century

built in the 12th century

built in the 12th century encore Wat is a testament to the skill

encore Wat is a testament to the skill

encore Wat is a testament to the skill of Khmer builders and architects from

of Khmer builders and architects from

of Khmer builders and architects from its Lotus but inspired towers to the

its Lotus but inspired towers to the

its Lotus but inspired towers to the many detailed carvings of divine figures

many detailed carvings of divine figures

many detailed carvings of divine figures while its magnitude and classic symmetry

while its magnitude and classic symmetry

while its magnitude and classic symmetry are jaw-dropping in their own right

are jaw-dropping in their own right

are jaw-dropping in their own right it’s the finely detailed works of art

it’s the finely detailed works of art

it’s the finely detailed works of art contained within that will really leave

contained within that will really leave

contained within that will really leave your head spinning number 9 Stonehenge

your head spinning number 9 Stonehenge

your head spinning number 9 Stonehenge while encore Wat is all about the

while encore Wat is all about the

while encore Wat is all about the details this prehistoric monument found

details this prehistoric monument found

details this prehistoric monument found in Wiltshire England proves that

in Wiltshire England proves that

in Wiltshire England proves that intricate carvings are the prerequisite

intricate carvings are the prerequisite

intricate carvings are the prerequisite for drawing crowds and filling them with

for drawing crowds and filling them with

for drawing crowds and filling them with a sense of wonder set amidst hundreds of

a sense of wonder set amidst hundreds of

a sense of wonder set amidst hundreds of burial mounds this arrangement of

burial mounds this arrangement of

burial mounds this arrangement of standing stones was constructed over a

standing stones was constructed over a

standing stones was constructed over a long period of time between roughly 3000

long period of time between roughly 3000

long period of time between roughly 3000 BC and 2,000 BC but given that it was

BC and 2,000 BC but given that it was

BC and 2,000 BC but given that it was built by a people who left behind no

built by a people who left behind no

built by a people who left behind no account of their process or intentions a

account of their process or intentions a

account of their process or intentions a great many mysteries surround this

great many mysteries surround this

great many mysteries surround this imposing structure the site shows the

imposing structure the site shows the

imposing structure the site shows the inevitable signs of aging Plus thanks to

inevitable signs of aging Plus thanks to

inevitable signs of aging Plus thanks to restoration efforts much of the

restoration efforts much of the

restoration efforts much of the structure has been preserved for curious

structure has been preserved for curious

structure has been preserved for curious minds present and future to enjoy number

minds present and future to enjoy number

minds present and future to enjoy number 8 Ephesus ancient Greece is there any

8 Ephesus ancient Greece is there any

8 Ephesus ancient Greece is there any bygone civilization more romanticized or

bygone civilization more romanticized or

bygone civilization more romanticized or more study while it’s sure to face

more study while it’s sure to face

more study while it’s sure to face strong competition on this list the city

strong competition on this list the city

strong competition on this list the city of Ephesus found in modern-day Turkey

of Ephesus found in modern-day Turkey

of Ephesus found in modern-day Turkey serves as a strong reminder as to

serves as a strong reminder as to

serves as a strong reminder as to why the modern world continues to obsess

why the modern world continues to obsess

why the modern world continues to obsess over this culture of yesteryear the many

over this culture of yesteryear the many

over this culture of yesteryear the many surviving ruins allow imaginative minds

surviving ruins allow imaginative minds

surviving ruins allow imaginative minds to fill in the blanks to see a city of

to fill in the blanks to see a city of

to fill in the blanks to see a city of breathtaking splendor within the city

breathtaking splendor within the city

breathtaking splendor within the city itself one finds the library of celsus

itself one finds the library of celsus

itself one finds the library of celsus the temple of hadrian a massive open-air

the temple of hadrian a massive open-air

the temple of hadrian a massive open-air theatre and much more plus nearby you’ll

theatre and much more plus nearby you’ll

theatre and much more plus nearby you’ll find the remains of the Temple of

find the remains of the Temple of

find the remains of the Temple of Artemis one of the seven wonders of the

Artemis one of the seven wonders of the

Artemis one of the seven wonders of the ancient world

ancient world

ancient world number seven montezuma castle national

number seven montezuma castle national

number seven montezuma castle national monument when as a visitor you simply

monument when as a visitor you simply

monument when as a visitor you simply cannot fathom how such a structure could

cannot fathom how such a structure could

cannot fathom how such a structure could possibly be constructed in the modern

possibly be constructed in the modern

possibly be constructed in the modern age let alone hundreds of years ago you

age let alone hundreds of years ago you

age let alone hundreds of years ago you know you’re in the presence of truly

know you’re in the presence of truly

know you’re in the presence of truly remarkable ruins be warned the name of

remarkable ruins be warned the name of

remarkable ruins be warned the name of this structure is incorrect on two

this structure is incorrect on two

this structure is incorrect on two counts it had nothing to do with

counts it had nothing to do with

counts it had nothing to do with Montezuma and it most certainly is not a

Montezuma and it most certainly is not a

Montezuma and it most certainly is not a castle built by the sinaloa people

castle built by the sinaloa people

castle built by the sinaloa people between roughly 1100 and 1425 AD near

between roughly 1100 and 1425 AD near

between roughly 1100 and 1425 AD near modern-day Camp Verde Arizona this huge

modern-day Camp Verde Arizona this huge

modern-day Camp Verde Arizona this huge structure consisting of 20 rooms spread

structure consisting of 20 rooms spread

structure consisting of 20 rooms spread across five stories is built in a

across five stories is built in a

across five stories is built in a natural alcove of a cliff 90 feet off

natural alcove of a cliff 90 feet off

natural alcove of a cliff 90 feet off the ground

the ground

the ground it likely protected the tribe from both

it likely protected the tribe from both

it likely protected the tribe from both the elements and enemies number six the

the elements and enemies number six the

the elements and enemies number six the Roman Forum if any civilization can give

Roman Forum if any civilization can give

Roman Forum if any civilization can give ancient Greece a run for its money in

ancient Greece a run for its money in

ancient Greece a run for its money in terms of ability to captivate modern

terms of ability to captivate modern

terms of ability to captivate modern minds it’s the Roman Empire located at

minds it’s the Roman Empire located at

minds it’s the Roman Empire located at the very center of Rome is the forum

the very center of Rome is the forum

the very center of Rome is the forum which served as a central hub of culture

which served as a central hub of culture

which served as a central hub of culture and politics however in the Middle Ages

and politics however in the Middle Ages

and politics however in the Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire it

after the fall of the Roman Empire it

after the fall of the Roman Empire it began to fall into disrepair some

began to fall into disrepair some

began to fall into disrepair some monuments were even broken down for

monuments were even broken down for

monuments were even broken down for their materials but even though much of

their materials but even though much of

their materials but even though much of it was lost to time the forum continues

it was lost to time the forum continues

it was lost to time the forum continues to WoW over four and a half million

to WoW over four and a half million

to WoW over four and a half million visitors each year

visitors each year

visitors each year number five the moai of rano raraku more

number five the moai of rano raraku more

number five the moai of rano raraku more popularly known to outsiders simply as

popularly known to outsiders simply as

popularly known to outsiders simply as the Easter Island heads moai are the

the Easter Island heads moai are the

the Easter Island heads moai are the massive human-looking stone carvings of

massive human-looking stone carvings of

massive human-looking stone carvings of the Rapa Nui people and while for the

the Rapa Nui people and while for the

the Rapa Nui people and while for the most part only the heads are visible

most part only the heads are visible

most part only the heads are visible they actually have bodies concealed

they actually have bodies concealed

they actually have bodies concealed underground a number of these impressive

underground a number of these impressive

underground a number of these impressive stone symbols of power are positioned

stone symbols of power are positioned

stone symbols of power are positioned along the coastline but many almost 400

along the coastline but many almost 400

along the coastline but many almost 400 in fact remain at rano raraku

in fact remain at rano raraku

in fact remain at rano raraku the volcanic crater that served as the

the volcanic crater that served as the

the volcanic crater that served as the quarry for most of the moai found on the

quarry for most of the moai found on the

quarry for most of the moai found on the island today while all oh I are

island today while all oh I are

island today while all oh I are impressive the collection around the

impressive the collection around the

impressive the collection around the crater which includes incomplete

crater which includes incomplete

crater which includes incomplete examples and the largest known moai at

examples and the largest known moai at

examples and the largest known moai at 71 feet in height makes for a truly

71 feet in height makes for a truly

71 feet in height makes for a truly fascinating site number four for tobu

fascinating site number four for tobu

fascinating site number four for tobu dude the largest Buddhist temple in the

dude the largest Buddhist temple in the

dude the largest Buddhist temple in the world this structure which was likely

world this structure which was likely

world this structure which was likely built over a 75-year period spanning the

built over a 75-year period spanning the

built over a 75-year period spanning the 8th and 9th centuries is an

8th and 9th centuries is an

8th and 9th centuries is an architectural masterpiece although a

architectural masterpiece although a

architectural masterpiece although a lack of documentation shrouds much of

lack of documentation shrouds much of

lack of documentation shrouds much of its history in mystery this site of

its history in mystery this site of

its history in mystery this site of pilgrimage never fails to astound today

pilgrimage never fails to astound today

pilgrimage never fails to astound today over a millennium later even without

over a millennium later even without

over a millennium later even without historical context boasting 2672

historical context boasting 2672

historical context boasting 2672 detailed pictorial relief panels 504

detailed pictorial relief panels 504

detailed pictorial relief panels 504 Buddhist statues and 72 perforated or

Buddhist statues and 72 perforated or

Buddhist statues and 72 perforated or open-air stupas

open-air stupas

open-air stupas this glowing example of Japanese

this glowing example of Japanese

this glowing example of Japanese Buddhist architecture is a must visit

Buddhist architecture is a must visit

Buddhist architecture is a must visit for anyone traveling to Indonesia

for anyone traveling to Indonesia

for anyone traveling to Indonesia interestingly enough when viewed from

interestingly enough when viewed from

interestingly enough when viewed from above it resembles a gigantic Buddhist

above it resembles a gigantic Buddhist

above it resembles a gigantic Buddhist mandala number three the Roman Colosseum

mandala number three the Roman Colosseum

mandala number three the Roman Colosseum found just east of the aforementioned

found just east of the aforementioned

found just east of the aforementioned Roman Forum the Colosseum was another

Roman Forum the Colosseum was another

Roman Forum the Colosseum was another centre of Roman culture however whereas

centre of Roman culture however whereas

centre of Roman culture however whereas the forum served as a commercial and

the forum served as a commercial and

the forum served as a commercial and political meeting point the Colosseum

political meeting point the Colosseum

political meeting point the Colosseum was all about entertainment often of a

was all about entertainment often of a

was all about entertainment often of a violent nature and while the gladiators

violent nature and while the gladiators

violent nature and while the gladiators have long stopped fighting to the death

have long stopped fighting to the death

have long stopped fighting to the death for the fifty to eighty thousand

for the fifty to eighty thousand

for the fifty to eighty thousand spectators the amphitheater could hold

spectators the amphitheater could hold

spectators the amphitheater could hold this testament to Roman architectural

this testament to Roman architectural

this testament to Roman architectural ingenuity continues to draw big crowds

ingenuity continues to draw big crowds

ingenuity continues to draw big crowds pulling in an estimated four million

pulling in an estimated four million

pulling in an estimated four million tourists per year completed in 80 AD it

tourists per year completed in 80 AD it

tourists per year completed in 80 AD it remains the largest amphitheatre ever

remains the largest amphitheatre ever

remains the largest amphitheatre ever constructed

constructed

constructed number two Petra as impressive as the

number two Petra as impressive as the

number two Petra as impressive as the montezuma castle national monument may

montezuma castle national monument may

montezuma castle national monument may be when it comes to ruins built into the

be when it comes to ruins built into the

be when it comes to ruins built into the side of rock walls Petra is the gold

side of rock walls Petra is the gold

side of rock walls Petra is the gold standard or should we say rose red

standard or should we say rose red

standard or should we say rose red standard carved out of the red sandstone

standard carved out of the red sandstone

standard carved out of the red sandstone cliffs found between the Dead Sea and

cliffs found between the Dead Sea and

cliffs found between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea in southern Jordan this city

the Red Sea in southern Jordan this city

the Red Sea in southern Jordan this city was brilliantly designed by the

was brilliantly designed by the

was brilliantly designed by the Nabataean people to help manage the

Nabataean people to help manage the

Nabataean people to help manage the area’s inconsistent water supply when

area’s inconsistent water supply when

area’s inconsistent water supply when visiting one can’t help but marvel at

visiting one can’t help but marvel at

visiting one can’t help but marvel at the seemingly in

the seemingly in

the seemingly in possible ornate structures especially

possible ornate structures especially

possible ornate structures especially the famous treasury at petra otherwise

the famous treasury at petra otherwise

the famous treasury at petra otherwise known as al khazneh it’s built today it

known as al khazneh it’s built today it

known as al khazneh it’s built today it would be remarkable for considering it

would be remarkable for considering it

would be remarkable for considering it may date back as far as the fifth

may date back as far as the fifth

may date back as far as the fifth century BC it’s downright unbelievable

century BC it’s downright unbelievable

century BC it’s downright unbelievable before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable mentions number

here are some honorable mentions number

here are some honorable mentions number one Machu Picchu alongside Petra this

one Machu Picchu alongside Petra this

one Machu Picchu alongside Petra this Incan icon has been called one of the

Incan icon has been called one of the

Incan icon has been called one of the new seven wonders of the world and

new seven wonders of the world and

new seven wonders of the world and there’s little doubt as to why Machu

there’s little doubt as to why Machu

there’s little doubt as to why Machu Picchu was constructed in the 15th

Picchu was constructed in the 15th

Picchu was constructed in the 15th century but what it lacks in age it more

century but what it lacks in age it more

century but what it lacks in age it more than makes up for in splendor perched

than makes up for in splendor perched

than makes up for in splendor perched atop a mountain nearly 8,000 feet above

atop a mountain nearly 8,000 feet above

atop a mountain nearly 8,000 feet above sea level and overlooking the sacred

sea level and overlooking the sacred

sea level and overlooking the sacred Valley Machu Picchu truly gives visitors

Valley Machu Picchu truly gives visitors

Valley Machu Picchu truly gives visitors the impression that they’re on another

the impression that they’re on another

the impression that they’re on another world built by the Inca at their most

world built by the Inca at their most

world built by the Inca at their most prosperous it went largely unknown to

prosperous it went largely unknown to

prosperous it went largely unknown to the international community until 1911

the international community until 1911

the international community until 1911 but since then people have flocked to it

but since then people have flocked to it

but since then people have flocked to it in such numbers that entrance

in such numbers that entrance

in such numbers that entrance restrictions have been put in place to

restrictions have been put in place to

restrictions have been put in place to reduce numbers and damage to the site