Throughout history, men have showcased their unique creative power by creating amazing wonders. From ancient times to the present day, you can see many examples of man-made wonders that embody the human spirit and artistic ability. Here is a list of the top 10 most incredible man-made wonders in the world, including both ancient and modern marvels depicting our history.
10Teotihuacan, Mexico
Teotihuacan, now located in Mexico, was once one of the largest cities in the ancient world. The incredible constructions found within this site remain one of the greatest man-made wonders. The amazing Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan has the same base area as the Great Pyramid of Giza and was built using rubble and adobe bricks. The Pyramid of the Sun is the second largest pyramid in the world.
You can find both Maya and Zapatos texts in Teotihuacan. Archaeologists have discovered Mica in almost every building in Teotihuacan. These pyramids were built for the Gods of Sun and Moon and were a significant part of an ancient religious system. Of the many mysterious sphere systems discovered, the purpose of most of them remains a mystery.
9Karnak Temple, Cairo, Egypt
Located in south Cairo, Egypt, the Karnak temple complex is one of the largest religious structures ever discovered. Archaeologists believe its construction was between 1390 and 1350 BC. The ancient Egyptians considered the temple the “most select of places” because it was the largest religious building ever constructed. It is a popular tourist destination, second only to the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The central focus of the complex is the grand temple of Amun, which has numerous impressive ancient Egyptian statues surrounding it. Of the entire complex made only of sandstone featuring four major temples, the temple of Amun is the biggest.
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8Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the most important religious and world heritage-listed temple in Cambodia. Constructed in 1150 by King Khmer, this sacred site is now a popular destination for tourists due to its historical significance and numerous attractions. Initially a Hindu temple, the site is now significant to Buddhists.
Known as the ‘city temple,’ it covers an area of 400 square kilometers and features incredible carvings of 3000 heavenly nymphs on its walls. The entire temple was constructed using sandstone, and the inner walls showcase large-scale depictions from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Thus, Angkor is a significant site that boasts cultural and religious values, with high archaeological and artistic importance.
7Bagan Temple and pagodas , Myanmar
Began Temple is a historical site in Myanmar just as important as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. This temple covers 26 square miles and was constructed in 1287. It boasts beautiful small and large Buddha statues and intricate carvings on the walls. There are more than 2,000 pagodas at this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Began Temple is also renowned for being the world’s largest concentration of ancient Buddhist temples. Dhammayangyi Temple is the largest temple in Bagan, while Shwezigon Pagoda is an important shrine. The pagodas have ancient paintings that depict the Buddhist cosmos, but natural erosion has caused changes to their appearance over time.
6Easter Island Statues, Peru
Did you know Easter Island is the most isolated inhabited Island in the world? Located in the North Pacific region of Chile, this treeless Island is an important archaeological site and a popular tourist destination. Ancient people of Rapa Nui on Easter Island carved the ancient sculptures known as moai between 1250 and 1500 using stones from an extinct volcano on the Island. It is one of the main attractions of Easter Island.
Furthermore, these impressive statues weigh an average of 270 tons! In addition to the moai, the extinct volcanoes on the Island also draw many visitors. Hence, it’s no wonder that UNESCO has recognized Easter Island as an important World Heritage site.
5Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The Colosseum in Rome stands as the world’s largest amphitheater. Its construction began in 70AD, combining concrete and stones and drawing inspiration from traditional Roman architecture. Featuring 80 entrances and able to accommodate up to 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was once a hub for hosting games between humans and animals, including gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights.
A vast majority of the combatants who fought in front of Colosseum audiences were men. It took over nine years to complete, requiring an estimated 100,000 cubic meters of marble. Despite its impressive construction, the Colosseum has undergone significant changes in appearance over time due in part to natural disasters like earthquakes.
4Christ The Redeemer, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Christ the Redeemer, a stunning statue, is one of the world’s modern wonders. Located in the Rio De Janeiro Corcovado hills, the statue stands at an impressive 98 feet tall. Constructed in France and transported to Rio De Janeiro piece by piece, the construction works almost ended in 1931.
It is the 5th largest statue of Jesus Christ in the world, and its left arm points towards north Rio De Janeiro while the right arm points towards south Rio De Janeiro. Imported stones from Sweden were the building blocks for its construction, and interestingly, the Jewish builder who created the head of Christ the Redeemer later converted to Catholicism upon the statue’s completion.
3Taj Mahal, India
The Taj Mahal is a world-renowned monument in India, considered one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his beloved wife, Mumthas, this breathtaking structure was constructed entirely of white marble. It took 22 years to complete the construction by blending Indian, Islamic, and Persian architectural styles.
Recognized by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites, the Taj Mahal has a great cultural significance associated with the Mughal history. The monument changes colors throughout the day and is perfectly symmetrical from every angle. You can find precious stones within the walls and 17-hectare beautiful gardens surrounding the monument.
2Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
The Pyramids are a remarkable feat of human ingenuity, with the Great Pyramid of Giza serving as a prime example of ancient architecture. Commissioned by Pharaoh Khufu, this impressive monument’s construction period was between 2589 BC and 2504 BC. It is the oldest and largest pyramid in the world, towering at 146 meters and built with limestone bricks weighing up to 50 tons.
Interestingly, the curvature of the pyramid’s faces matches the radius of the Earth. The pyramid’s interior contains three discovered chambers, including the Chambers of Kings and Queens, and an unfinished chamber. The pyramid comprises several rooms and maintains a constant temperature. It truly is a wonder of the ancient world.
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1Great Wall of China
Did you know that the Great Wall of China is the longest construction ever made by humans? It was built 2000 years ago by King Quin Shi Huang and stretches for an impressive 8851 km! The wall is made of stones, bricks, and wood and is the only Earth structure you can see from the Moon.
Sadly, more than 1 million people died during its construction, making it the longest cemetery in the world. Unsurprisingly, the Great Wall of China was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although not constructed in a continuous move, visitors can explore different sections, including the most secure section near Beijing. Keep in mind that the height of the wall varies in different sections.
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