5 Ancient Cities That Were Both Found and Lost to the World
Numerous tales abound of ancient societies that once flourished in distant times and places. Some have been unearthed through excavation, offering insights into their way of life.
Among these legendary civilizations are:
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1. Machu Picchu
Nestled high in the Peruvian mountains, Machu Picchu was a 15th-century Incan citadel believed to have been the summer residence of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. Its remote location kept it hidden until explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in 1911, bringing it to global attention.
2. Great Zimbabwe
Situated in the southeastern hills of Zimbabwe, this abandoned city was the bustling capital of a civilization during the late Iron Age, inhabited by the Shona people. It flourished until the 15th century, likely succumbing to resource depletion.
3. Pompeii
Buried under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., Pompeii was a prosperous Roman city. Its rediscovery in the 16th century revealed a snapshot of ancient Roman life, with lavish homes and valuable artworks preserved under the ash.
4. El Dorado
The mythical city of gold, purported to exist in the Americas before European explorers arrived, remains elusive. While the legend may have roots in the gold-rich regions of South America, the actual city has never been found.
5. Lost City of Z
Named by British surveyor Percy Harrison Fawcett, who perished in search of it in the Amazon, the Lost City of Z has fascinated explorers for generations. While the city itself remains undiscovered, the discovery of the city of Kuhikugu in 1925 suggests it might have been what Fawcett sought, though it too succumbed to the ravages of European diseases.