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About This Quiz
While modern structures can be more than impressive with regard to architecture, technological advancement, and beauty, there’s something to be said about structures from the past. Can you match the images to the ancient ruins?
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Which ancient ruin is this?
The Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD after it was commissioned eight years earlier by Emperor Vespasian. Its construction was a gift to the Roman people. The Colosseum was used for the next 400 years. Gladiator fights, Christian persecution, as well as battles between wild beasts all took place here. And then it was left to fall into ruin with many stones used in its construction taken away and used elsewhere. Although only about 1/3 of the original​ structure remains, the Colosseum once measured 620 by 513 feet.
Theater of Dionysus
Delphi
Knossos
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Which ancient ruin is this?
The Mogao Caves
Pyramids of Giza
Perhaps the most famous ruins in the world, the Pyramids at Giza in Egypt were built between 2550 and 2490 BC. Three different Pharaohs were involved in their construction - Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. These impressive structures served as burial chambers for the Pharaohs as they journeyed to the afterlife. Of the wonders of the ancient world, only the Pyramids remain.
The Terracotta Army
Gaochange
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Gaochang
Montezuma Castle
Acropolis
Found in Athens, the Acropolis is situated on a hill overlooking the city. It was commissioned by Pericles, a general and Greek statesman. Building began in 447 BC. It's centerpiece is the Parthenon, designed and built by some of the greatest tradesmen of the time, including sculpture Phidias who carved Zeus's statue at Olympus, one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Hadrian's Villa
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Jarash
Stonehenge
Located in Wiltshire in the United Kingdom, the ruins at Stonehenge are thought to date back to around 3100 BC. Although it is not known exactly for what it was used, speculation includes reasons ranging from sacrifice to astronomy. It wasn't all built at once. There are three distinct phases of construction which in all would have taken over thirty million hours of labor. The stones themselves are of a large variety and include bluestone, sarensen and Welsh sandstone.
Pula
Sintra
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Theatre of Dionysus
Delphi
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is an extremely impressive feat of engineering. It is over 13,000 miles in length and was built as a defensive wall. It took over 2,300 years to build and spanned five Dynasties. The wall was even added to in the 1950s. It remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world with certain sections receiving 70,000 visitors per day.
Knossos
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Zubarah
Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian's Wall formed the most northwestern boundary of the Roman Empire. It was constructed on the orders of Roman Emperor Hadrian after he visited Britain in 122 AD. The wall itself is an impressive structure, made of stone and is over 73 miles long. The aim of the wall was to separate dangerous British locals from the Romans. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
Ollantaytambo
Il Vittoriano
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Colosseum
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is found in Peru and was once a major Inca city. Although Spain conquered much of the surrounding lands, they never even knew the city existed, thanks to the fact that it is situated high in the Andes mountains. In fact, the city stands at around 2,400 meters above sea-level. It was abandoned during the Spanish invasion and only discovered again in 1911.
Hardrian's Wall
Parthenon
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Sabratha
Caeseara
Moai
Teracotta Army
The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin is one of China's foremost tourist attractions. It was discovered in 1974 by accident when a well was dug in Lintong. The soldiers are all standing in rank and each has a unique facial expression. The discovery also yielded clay horses, wooden chariots, and various weapons. It is thought that Qin wanted the soldiers to accompany him into the afterlife.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Stonehenge
Hadrian's Wall
Acropolis
Jesuitical Ruins of Trinidad
Situated in Paraguay, these ruins are the site of a Spanish mission sent to the region in the 17th Century. Today many of the structures remain in extremely good condition. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Masada
Mogao Caves
Pueblo Bonito
Meaning 'pretty village' in Spanish, these ruins were discovered in the Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. They are five stories high in places and it is estimated that they contained over 800 separate rooms. Pueblo Bonito was constructed in around 900 AD and was home to Ancestral Puebloans, an ancient Native American culture.
Fengxian Grotto
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Which ancient ruin is this?
El Jem Amphitheater
The amphitheater at El Jem is situated in Tunisia. This UNESCO World Heritage site was used for gladiatorial combat and shares similarities with the Colosseum. In fact, over 230 similar amphitheaters are still found today. El Jem was used in the Hollywood blockbuster, "Gladiator," thanks to the fact that it is so well preserved. There is a second, smaller amphitheater, although its condition is far worse. Both are built using stone blocks without any foundations.
Tulum
Angkor Wat
Villers-la-Ville
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Sintra
Roman Agora
Roman Baths at Nice
Remnants of Roman bath houses are scattered across Europe. None more so than in Nice, the site of the ancient Roman city of Cemenelum. Although much of this city remain buried, the baths, a social hub of the Roman Empire, are currently being excavated.
Jendouba
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Volubilis
Angkor Wat
Ta Prohm
Chichén Itzá
Found on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, this was a Mayan city and it is estimated that it was inhabited between 750 and 1200 AD. One of the main attractions here is the pyramid, El Castillo, built in the stepped tradition of the Mayans. It has 365 steps which signify the days of the year. Also of interest is a sinkhole that provided water to the city. It had a dark side as well, as young Mayan girls were thrown inside as a sacrifice to the rain god. Chichén Itzá is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Angkor Wat
Bayon Temple
Lindholm Høje
Moai of Rano Raraku
The Maoi of Rano Raraku or the Easter Island Heads is one of the most well-known ruins on earth. Over 600 are found throughout the island but the largest portion - 397 - are in the Rano Raraku quarry. They were created by the Rapa Nui people as a way to signify their ancestors and rulers from the past. They started out small using basalt or trachyte but later moved on to large statues carved out of volcanic rock found in the quarry.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Hadrian's Gate
Teotihuacán
Teotihuacán is found in central Mexico and is dominated by two massive pyramids as well as a long avenue. It is the most popular ancient ruin in the country. The city was established between 150 and 200 AD. It hit its peak in 400 AD when it is thought over 200,000 people lived there. Evidence shows that in around 600 AD many of the bigger buildings were destroyed in a deliberate fire. This could indicate a change of leadership.
Hercules Gate
Ephesus
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Ta Prohm
Found in the Angkor Archeological Park in Cambodia, the ruins of Ta Prohm is something you might recognize. Some scenes from the movie "Tomb Raider" were shot here. This temple is unrestored, unlike a lot of others in the area. This allows visitors to see how it now forms part of the surrounding jungle. The temple itself was built in 1186 AD. Its original name was Rajavihara.
Ruins of St Paul's Church
Roman Agora
Jendouba
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Longmen Grottoes
These grottoes are filled with carved Chinese art from between 316 and 907 AD. All the art found here is linked to the Buddhist religion. They are carved into a limestone cliff and cover an area of 1 kilometer. In total, there are over 110,000 carved statues and inscriptions. The Longmen Grottoes are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Orkney
Ayutthaya
Tikal
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Borobudur
Dating to the 8th and 9th centuries, the Buddhist temples at Borobudur, Java cover an area of over 2,500 m2 (nearly 27,000 square feet.). They are built in three distinct layers starting with a pyramid-like base and squared terraces, then three circular platforms and finally, a massive stupa. Near the circular platforms, you will find 72 statues of Buddha. The temple was built during the Syailendra Dynasty and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Pompeii
Pergamon
Zelve Ruins
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Baelo Claudia
Luxor Temple
The city of Luxor now stands on the same spot as the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes. Here you will find the ruins of an ancient temple, started by Amenhotep III with construction completed by Tutankhamun as well as Horemheb. Rameses II also added to the temple during his reign. Even today, the temple is a place of worship. It certainly is impressive and much of it remains fully intact.
Bokor
Pergamon
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Machu Picchu
Baalbek
Found in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, Baalbek is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This started as a Phoenician city and was once known as Heliopolis. Many temple ruins can be found here, as the city was a focal point for the worship of three different gods. It was also a focal point for worship during Roman times, and many of the temple remains are from that period.
Sacred Valley Of The Incas
Segestra
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Which ancient ruin is this?
The Temple of Hera and Juno
Pyramid of the Sun
Tonina
Volubilis
Situated in Morocco, Volubilis was founded in 3 BC and was an important Roman outpost. Many ruins of the buildings of that time remain, as well as beautiful and intricate mosaics. It covers an area of 42 hectares (about 104 acres) and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Tulum
The Temple of Inscriptions
Bagan
Found in Myanmar, Bagan is a town filled with temples. It is one of the main attractions in the country. Some of the incredible temples here include Ananda Phato, Dhammayangyi Phato and Aybeyadana Phato. In fact, this is the largest concentration of Buddhist temples found anywhere on earth. They were constructed in the 11th and 12th century.
Monte Alban
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Mycenae
This fortified citadel is found in Greece. It was the home of the Mycenaean culture that dominated the south of the country from 1600 to 1100 BC. It was first excavated as an archaeological site in 1841. Many incredible artifacts have been found here, including gold burial masks, diadems, ornamental bronze swords and ivory sculptures.
Pompeii
Amphitheater of Pula
Temple of Romae and Augustus
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Petra
Lamanai
Jerash
The Roman ruins at Jerash are found in Jordan. Humans have lived in the area for over 6,500 years and the Romans occupied the area in around 63 BC when it was conquered by General Pompey. Today it is recognized as an incredibly well-preserved ruin, in fact, one of the best on earth. The ruins themselves are from the Roman city of Gerasa. Many others have ruled here, including Christians and Muslims. The city ceased to exist around 1112 AD during the Crusades.
.Xunantunichit
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Fyrkat
Anuradhapura
Tulum
Tulum is found on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It was once a Mayan port city believed to have housed over 1,000 residents. The city was built during the 13th Century, a time when the Mayan civilization was in decline but before the arrival of the Spanish. Much trading was done from here, particularly in jade. It was protected by a 784-meter​ wall. One of the best buildings found inside the ruins is the Temple of the Frescoes.
Sukhothai Ruins
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Giza Pyramids
Tiwanaku
The ruins of Tiwanaku are found in Bolivia. They were once the home of a civilization pre-dating the Incas. The ruins sit at 4,000 meters above sea level. This means they are one of the highest cities constructed in history. The city itself was at its peak between 500 and 1000 AD and encompassed an area of around two square miles. It is estimated that over 10,000 people lived here. Much about the city and inhabitants has yet to be discovered as only a small portion of Tiwanaku has been examined.
Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Mount Nemrut
Pergamum
Verona Roman Theater
Palmyra
Northeast of Damascus in Syria are the ruins of Palmyra. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains the ruins of what was once a great city that played a major role in the ancient world. In fact, three cultures influenced the city and the architecture within - Greek, Roman and Persian. Palmyra had humble beginnings as a caravan oasis before it grew once under Roman control. It played a critical link between east and west as trade routes opened to India and China. The city had a massive main street, over one kilometer long.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Volubilis
Cappadocia
Situated in Turkey, Cappadocia is the home to some incredible underground dwellings. These have been fashioned into the local landscape and in some cases, are up to eight stories deep. These include living areas, places of worship, storehouses and even stables. The area was inhabited from around 1800 BC and even became a refuge for Christians fleeing persecution. Inside some of these incredible dwellings, you can find beautiful fresco paintings from the period.
Ruins of Desmond Castle, Adare
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Wat Ratchaburana
This Buddhist temple is found in Ayutthaya, Thailand. It was constructed in 1424 by King Borom Ratchathirat II. It is located on the burial site of his brothers who both died in a fight for succession to the throne. Many treasures were found in the temple, some of which are on display at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
Rapa Nui
Ta Prohm
Jarash
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Which ancient ruin is this?
St Andrews Cathedral
St Andrews Cathedral
Ruins of St. Paul's Church
Petra
Located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea in Jordan, Petra was once a thriving city. Parts of the city are carved into rock. It was a major center for trade and directly situated on routes between Egypt, Arabia, and Phoenicia. The Hollywood blockbuster, "ndiana Jones and the Last Crusade," was filmed here. At present, only 15 percent of the city has been excavated with much for archaeologists still to find.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Montezuma Castle
Ayutthaya
Tikal
Pompeii
Perhaps one of the most famous ruins in the world, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii gives us an extensive look at life during Roman times. The city itself was destroyed when the local volcano, Mount Vesuvius, erupted in 79 AD, covering the city in hot ash which killed over 2,000 people. Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748 and excavations have revealed much about the Roman way of life by providing virtually a complete, untouched Roman city from that time.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Ellora Caves
This incredible set of 34 temples were dug into the side of a cliff near the Verul village in India. This UNESCO World Heritage site is an area around 2 km long where these temples are found. The temples are for various religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, and were carved between 600 and 1000 AD.
Baelo Claudia
Zelve
Bokor
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Carved into the mountainside in the Verde Valley in Arizona, this ruin is very well preserved. Around 600 years ago, it was the home of Sinagua Indians who lived in the area. The ruins themselves are five stories high and comprised of 20 rooms. The early settlers in the area named it Montezuma's Castle, believing that it must have been constructed by the Aztec emperor.
Pergamon
Zubarah
La Famille Express Shipwreck
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Ollantaytambo
Ephesus
The city of Ephesus has seen many empires come and go. These include the Roman, Greek, Persian, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, all of which at some point, laid claim to the city. In around 200 AD, the city, situated on the western coast of Turkey, was home to 300,000 people. One of the wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis, was located here.
Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
Stonehenge
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Hadrian's Wall
Jesus de Tavarangue
Ajanta Caves
Situated in India, the Ajanta Caves are one of the oldest UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. They are filled with ancient carvings and paintings which date between 2 BC and 6 AD. The caves were discovered quite by accident in 1819 by Jon Smith, who was out hunting tigers at the time.
The Temple of the Masks
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Ellora Caves
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kailashnath Temple
Cobá
The ruins at Cobá, Mexico are Mayan in origin. Many experts believe the ruins were very important to the Mayan people, especially since they are fairly different to others found on the Yucatan Peninsula. The site was only discovered in the 1880s and it only opened to the public in 1973.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Sabratha
Caeseara
Roman Forum
Located in Rome, this was an area filled with temples, massive public spaces, and basilicas. The site first started in around 7 BC and just grew in size as time went on. Some of the most important ruins here are the Curia, Casa delle Vestali, and Arco di Settimio Severo. The Forum fell into disrepair after the fall of the Roman empire until excavations began in the 1800s.
Masada
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Tikal
This citadel is found deep within the Guatemalan rainforests. This important Mayan city was inhabited for over 500 years from 300 to 850 AD. It is estimated that during the height of its power and influence over the surrounding lands, around 50,000 people lived in, or close to the city. The site was discovered in the 19th Century and includes some impressive Mayan pyramids.
Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Segestra
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Tonina
Pyramid of the Sun
The Temple of Hera and Juno
Angkor Wat
The temple complex at Angkor Wat was built during the lifetime of Suryavarman II (1112 - 1152). It is meant to be a replica of Mt Meru, the home of the Hindu gods. It is one of the world's largest religious buildings and has over 3,000 apsaras carved into its walls. These are considered to be heavenly nymphs.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Tulum
The Temple of Inscriptions
Chichen Itza
Masada
The fortress of Masada sits high atop a cliff overlooking the Dead Sea. It is famous as the place that provided the last Jewish stronghold after a revolt against the occupying Roman army. Rather than fall to the Roman army far greater than themselves, the defenders all committed suicide once defeat became inevitable. The ruins at Masada are now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Pompeii
Phula Roman Amphitheater
Monte Alban
Arene de Nimes
The Arena at Nimes in France is a Roman amphitheater much like the Colosseum. These were spread around the conquered lands that had fallen to the Roman armies. In the 1800s, it served as a bullring while today, it is used as a live music concert venue.
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Petra
Carthage
A city on the Gulf of Tunis, Carthage came into existence around 9 BC and was founded by the Phoenicians. Over time, it became one of the most important trading posts on the Mediterranean. The city was destroyed by Rome in 146 AD and subsequently rebuilt. Today it provides important information into the way of life of that period and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lamanai
Xunantunichit
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Angkor Wat
Diocletian's Palace
Situated in the city of Split in Croatia, Diocletian's Palace is a Roman ruin and tells of the Roman occupation of the Adriatic coast. It was built by Diocletian who retired to the palace after stepping down as Emperor of Rome. It was over 30,000 m2 in size and today the ruins are found right in the middle of Split.
Bayon Temple
Lindholm Høje
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Fyrkat
Anuradhapura
Great Zimbabwe
These ruins, found in Zimbabwe, Africa are the largest set of ruins located south of the Sahara desert. It was here that a great culture built a massive city and lived in the area between the Zambezi and Limpopo river from the 11th to the 15th Century. The people who lived here were mostly cattle herders, although they also had incredible skill in metal working. Between 10,000 to 20,000 people lived in the city which is characterized by intricate sculptures of birds carved from soapstone.
Sukhothai
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Babylon
The ruins of the once great city of Babylon lie in modern day Iraq, some 60 miles from Baghdad. It was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Hanging Gardens. Today the ruins include part of the Ishtar Gate, although some construction by Saddam Hussein ruined part of the site. The former dictator of Iraq began construction of a palace on the same site as that of the famous king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar.
Pyramids of Giza
Cleopatra's Kingdom
Luxor Temple
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Karnak Temple
Tetrapylon Gate Aphrodisias
Palenque
The Mayan city of Palenque is found in Mexico near the Chiapas Altiplano foothills. It thrived from 600 AD until around 750 AD. Its original Mayan name is Lakamha. Perhaps the greatest part of the ruins is the Palenque Palace which includes a four-story tower while a pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, is another famed attraction.
Hadrian's Gate
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Ayutthaya
Found 80 km north of Bangkok in Thailand, Ayutthaya was a former Siamese kingdom. It is estimated that over 1 million people lived here. It was destroyed in the 18th Century by an invasion of the Burmese. The ruins include statues of Buddha, temples and three large palaces. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.
Hercules Gate
Ephesus
Mount Nemrut
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Pergamum
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple found atop the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It was used to worship the god, Athena. It cost 469 silver talents to build. This is difficult to put into current currencies but as a comparison, the biggest Greek warships of the day cost only 1 silver talent to construct. Construction on the Parthenon started in 447 BC and finished in 432 BC.
Troy
Roman Theater in Verona
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Copan Ruins
Located in Honduras, the Mayan ruins at Copan were built between 400 AD and 800 AD. Discovered in the 19th Century, serious excavation work only started here in the middle 1970s. The city was abandoned very suddenly and it is believed that the 25,000 inhabitants had used up all the local resources. That, along with drought, forced them to move elsewhere, leaving behind over 4,500 structures.
Jesus de Travarnague
The Temple of Masks
Ellora Caves
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Which ancient ruin is this?
Talisay City
The Talisay City ruins are found in the Philippines. This was once the home of a sugar baron - Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, who built it in memory of his wife. In World War II, American forces set fire to the building to stop the invading Japanese using it as a base. Some of the ruins have been rebuilt and now form a tourist attraction in the area.
Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kailashnath Temple
Ajanta Caves
You Got:
/50
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