Ancient is defined as someone or something that has lasted a very long time. The story of Hercules is an example of an ancient story. … The Roman Empire is an example of an ancient civilization.

 Atlantis

Perhaps the most famous of the vanished cities is the legendary Atlantis. First mentioned by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in the 4th century BC, Atlantis was described as a powerful state located on an island beyond the Pillars of Hercules (modern-day Strait of Gibraltar).

According to Plato, Atlantis was founded by the god Poseidon and flourished for 9,000 years. The city was described as technologically advanced, with a complex system of canals, grand temples and palaces. Plato claimed that the population of Atlantis reached several million people.

Legend has it that Atlantis disappeared “in one day and one night” as a result of a natural disaster, presumably an earthquake and the flooding that followed. This event, according to Plato, occurred around 9600 BC.

Despite the lack of direct archaeological evidence for the existence of Atlantis, many scientists and researchers continue to search for this legendary city. Some theories link Atlantis to real historical events, such as the volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini around 1600 BC that led to the demise of the Minoan civilization on Crete. This eruption was so powerful that it released about 60 cubic kilometers of ash and rock into the atmosphere, which could have caused significant climatic changes in the region.

Interestingly, Plato's description of Atlantis contains many details that seem surprisingly modern. For example, he mentions a hot and cold water system, as well as a complex transportation system with bridges and tunnels. These details lead some researchers to speculate that Atlantis may have been a technologically advanced civilization ahead of its time.

 

Pompeii

Unlike Atlantis, the existence of the city of Pompeii is not in doubt. This ancient Roman city, located near modern-day Naples in Italy, was a thriving center of commerce and culture until its sudden demise in 79 AD.

Pompeii was founded in the 6th century BC and had about 20,000 inhabitants by the time of the disaster. The city was known for its luxurious villas, public baths, theaters and temples. Archaeological excavations have shown that Pompeii had an extensive infrastructure, including water and sewage systems.

On August 24, 79 AD, there was a powerful eruption of the volcano Vesuvius. Within 24 hours, the city was completely buried under a layer of volcanic ash and pumice up to 6 meters thick. The eruption was so sudden and powerful that the inhabitants did not have time to evacuate, and many died right in the streets of the city.

 

Thanks to the layer of ash that preserved the city, Pompeii has been preserved in amazing integrity. Archaeologists have uncovered not only buildings and household items, but also the remains of inhabitants caught by surprise by the eruption. These findings provide a unique insight into the daily life of the ancient Roman city.

Particularly impressive is the fact that the pyroclastic flows that destroyed Pompeii reached temperatures of up to 300°C. This explains why the inhabitants of the city had no chance of escape. Interestingly, about 1,150 bodies were found in Pompeii, which is only a small fraction of the city's estimated population of 20,000. This suggests that a significant portion of the inhabitants still managed to evacuate.

The excavation of Pompeii is still ongoing, and scientists continue to make new discoveries. For example, in 2020, a well-preserved snack bar (thermopile) with frescoes and food remains was discovered, providing new data on the gastronomic habits of the ancient Romans.

 

Angkor

The city of Angkor, located in present-day Cambodia, was the capital of the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the fifteenth century. In its heyday, Angkor was the largest pre-industrial city in the world, covering an area of about 1,000 square kilometers and having a population, according to some estimates, of up to 1 million people.

Angkor was famous for its majestic temples, the most famous of which is Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century. Covering an area of 162.6 hectares, this temple complex is the largest religious structure in the world. Interestingly, Angkor Wat is oriented in such a way that on March 21 and September 21, the sun rises exactly above the central tower, indicating the deep astronomical knowledge of the ancient Khmers.

The city had a complex system of canals and reservoirs that allowed it to maintain a high level of agricultural production and provide water for a huge population. The total length of Angkor's canals was more than 1000 kilometers. The water supply system included huge reservoirs called barai. The largest of them, the Western Barai, had an impressive size of 8 by 2.2 kilometers.

Despite its grandeur, Angkor was suddenly abandoned by its inhabitants in the 15th century. It was long believed that the city was captured and destroyed by Thai troops in 1431, but recent research suggests a more complex picture.

Analysis of tree annual rings and sediments in Tonle Sap Lake have shown that in the 14th and 15th centuries, the region experienced a series of severe droughts alternating with periods of intense monsoons. These climatic changes may have led to the collapse of Angkor's complex water system.

In addition, recent archaeological research using lidar technology has shown that the city was not completely abandoned overnight. Instead, there was a gradual process of population migration from the city center to the periphery, which nevertheless may have occurred over a relatively short period - perhaps several decades.

Interestingly, even after most of the population had left the city, some temples, including Angkor Wat, continued to function as religious centers. This suggests that the “disappearance” of Angkor was more of a socio-economic collapse than a complete devastation of the city.

 

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan, located 50 kilometers northeast of present-day Mexico City, was one of the largest cities in pre-Columbian America. Founded around 100 BC, Teotihuacan reached its peak between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, when its population was estimated at between 100,000 and 200,000.

The city covered an area of about 21 square kilometers and was known for its monumental structures, including the Pyramid of the Sun (height 65 meters, base 225 by 222 meters) and the Pyramid of the Moon (height 43 meters). The main street of the city, known as the Road of the Dead, was 4 kilometers long and oriented north-south with a slight deviation of 15°24' east of astronomical north.

The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan is a truly grandiose structure. It contains about 2.5 million tons of stone and earth, making it one of the most massive pyramids in the world. Its construction required enormous effort and a high level of engineering knowledge.

Teotihuacan was not only a religious center, but also an important trading hub. Archaeological finds testify to the city's extensive trade links, stretching from modern-day Guatemala to northern Mexico.

However, around 550 AD, Teotihuacan suddenly fell into decline. Archaeological evidence indicates that many buildings were deliberately burned and destroyed. The city's population declined dramatically, and by 750 AD, Teotihuacan was almost completely abandoned.

The reasons for Teotihuacan's decline are still a matter of debate among scholars. Some theories suggest internal conflict or rebellion against the ruling elite. Others point to possible environmental factors such as prolonged drought or depletion of natural resources.

 

Hattusa

Hattusa, the capital of the ancient Hittite kingdom, was one of the most significant cities of the Bronze Age. Located in the central part of modern-day Turkey, the city flourished from the 18th to the 13th century BC.

At its peak, Hattusa covered an area of about 1.8 square kilometers and was surrounded by massive walls 6.6 kilometers long. The population of the city is estimated to have been between 40,000 and 50,000.

Hattusa was known for its impressive architecture, including the Great Temple dedicated to the thunder god Teshub and the sun goddess Arina, as well as the unique gateway decorated with reliefs of lions and sphinxes. Of particular interest is the so-called “king's gate”, decorated with a relief of a warrior believed to represent the Hittite king himself.

The fortification system of Hattusa was truly impressive. It included unique underground tunnels, some of which reached a length of 80 meters. These tunnels were used both for the defense of the city and for secret forays during sieges.

The city was the center of a developed written culture. Thousands of clay tablets with cuneiform texts in the Hittite language, including diplomatic treaties, legal codes and literary works, have been discovered at Hattus. These finds have greatly expanded our knowledge of the ancient Near East.

A particularly interesting find is a copy of one of the earliest known peace treaties, between the Hittite king Hattusili III and the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II (circa 1259 BC). This treaty is considered a milestone in the history of diplomacy.

However, around 1200 BC, Hattusa suddenly fell into decline and was abandoned. Archaeological evidence suggests that the city was destroyed by fire. It was long believed that Hattusa fell to the onslaught of the so-called “Sea Peoples,” but modern research offers a more complex picture.

Analysis of tree rings and other paleoclimatic data indicates that the region experienced a serious drought in the 13th century BC. This may have led to social unrest and a weakening of central authority. In addition, archaeological evidence suggests that before the final fall of the city, some of its population was evacuated, taking with them many valuables and important documents.

Interestingly, after the fall of Hattusa, Hittite culture did not completely disappear. Some Hittite states continued to exist in Syria until the 8th century BC, preserving elements of Hittite culture and writing.

 

Mohenjo-Daro

Mohenjo-Daro, one of the largest cities of the Indus Civilization, was located in the Indus Valley in present-day Pakistan. The city flourished from 2600 to 1900 BC and was one of the most advanced urban centers of its time.

Mohenjo-Daro covered an area of about 300 hectares and had an estimated population of up to 40,000. The city was built according to an elaborate plan, with straight streets intersecting at right angles, which was unusual for ancient cities.

Mohenjo-Daro was renowned for its advanced infrastructure for the time. The city had a sophisticated water supply and sewage system. Almost every house had its own bathroom and toilet connected to the city's sewage system. This is a level of sanitation that was not achieved in many parts of the world until the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In fact, the earliest known public toilet and sewerage system in the world was discovered at Mohenjo-Daro.

One of Mohenjo-Daro's most famous structures is the Great Bathhouse, a tank measuring 12 meters by 7 meters and 2.4 meters deep, believed to have been used for ritual ablutions.

 

Despite its prosperity, Mohenjo-Daro was suddenly abandoned around 1900 BC. The reasons for this are still a matter of debate among scholars. For a long time, the popular theory was that the city was destroyed as a result of an invasion by Aryan tribes. However, archaeological evidence does not support this hypothesis. No evidence of mass violence or military invasion has been found. Modern research points to a complex of factors that may have led to the decline of the city. Analysis of sediments from the Indus River indicates that during the decline of Mohenjo-Daro, the region experienced a series of severe floods. This may have altered the course of the river and flooded the agricultural lands on which the city depended.

In addition, paleoclimatic evidence suggests a gradual drying of the climate in the region, which may have led to reduced crop yields and social conflicts. Some researchers also point to possible epidemics that may have contributed to the rapid population decline.

Interestingly, despite a developed written language, scientists have not yet been able to decipher the writing of the Indus civilization. This makes Mohenjo-Daro one of the most mysterious ancient cities, as we cannot read any inscriptions left by its inhabitants.

Recent archaeological research using modern technology such as GPR and satellite imagery has revealed the presence of hidden structures and entire areas of Mohenjo-Daro that have yet to be excavated. This suggests that the city may have been much larger than previously thought, and many of Mohenjo-Daro's mysteries are still waiting to be uncovered.