They left with secrets. 5 great cities of forgotten civilizations

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the most famous forgotten cities of the ancient world, located in the Peruvian Andes. This city was built by the Incas in the middle of the XV century, but a few decades later it was abandoned.

Machu Picchu has become a symbol of the greatness and demise of the Inca Empire because its remains have been preserved in almost pristine condition. This city was of high strategic importance, as it was located on an important trade route between different parts of the empire. The lack of historical records makes it difficult to determine the reasons for the decline of Machu Picchu.

The biggest mystery is the fact that the city was almost completely abandoned before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. Some theories suggest that the city could have been evacuated due to epidemics or military unrest. Today, Machu Picchu is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Machu Picchu (photo: Wikipedia)

Çatalhöyük

Çatalhöyük is one of the oldest known cities on Earth, which existed about 9000 years ago in Asia Minor (modern Türkiye). This city was built before the beginning of metallurgy and focused on agriculture, cattle breeding, and farming.

Çatalhöyük had no streets or roads, and the houses were built directly on top of each other, with the roof used to move between them. Archaeologists have discovered a large number of drawings and religious artifacts that testify to the complex religious and cultural activities of its inhabitants.

The city remained an important cultural and economic center until its decline about 7,000 years ago. The exact reasons for the city's decline remain unknown, but it was likely due to climate change or resource crises. Today, Çatalhöyük is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important source of knowledge about the early stages of human civilization.

Çatalhöyük (photo: Wikipedia)

Petra

Petra, located in Jordan, is an amazing city that was carved right into the rocks. This city was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom and flourished between the fourth century BC and the second century AD.

Petra was known for its remarkable architectural designs, including rock-cut facades and sophisticated water supply systems. Petra was an important trade center, as trade routes from Arabia, Egypt, and Syria passed through it.

Over time, however, the city fell into decline, and by the seventh century, it was abandoned due to the Arab conquest and changes in trade routes. Petra was forgotten until the 19th century when the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it for Europe.

Petra (photo: Wikipedia)

Troy

Troy, which became famous thanks to the legends of Homer, is a city that was located on the territory of modern Türkiye. Troy was an important economic and strategic center in ancient times. Archaeologists have proven that Troy existed and was located at the crossroads of important trade routes between Europe and Asia.

The city became famous thanks to the legendary Trojan War, but it was only at the end of the XIX century that its remains were discovered thanks to excavations by Heinrich Schliemann. The exact causes of Troy's destruction remain a matter of speculation: some scholars suggest that the city was destroyed by warfare, while others believe it was destroyed by natural disasters.

Reconstruction of Troy (photo: Wikipedia)

Harappa

Harappa is one of the cities of the ancient Indian Indus civilization, which was located on the territory of modern Pakistan. The city was founded around 2600 BC and was one of the largest and most developed cities of its time.

Harappa had a well-developed infrastructure, including a drainage system, street plans, and commercial warehouses. However, after a few centuries, the city fell into decline, and its remains were submerged in the sands. The reasons for Harappa's disappearance are likely related to climate change, particularly droughts, as well as likely changes in the political situation.

Archaeologists discovered this city only in the XX century, and research continues because many of Harappa's secrets have not yet been revealed. This city is striking in its civilizational maturity and is an important archaeological site on the territory of modern Pakistan.

Harappa ruins (photo: Wikipedia)

Read also what 7 legendary treasures the whole world is still looking for.

Sources: Times of India, Live Science, Wikipedia.