Lost and Forgotten: 12 Cities Abandoned for Unfathomable Reasons
It is hard to believe that natural disasters, wars, and climate change have engulfed entire cities. It won’t be surprising if our new generations will soon look at the lost ruins of the Taj Mahal and Eifile Tower. History has witnessed many ancient cities drowning and being lost in the wilderness. In this post, I will discuss 12 fascinating lost towns.
1. Troy, Turkey
(Abandoned: 1200 BC; Rediscovered: 1871)
Troy was an ancient city located in northwestern Hisarlik, Turkey. The historical city was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt during its 4000 years of occupation. Homer’s Iliad made this city famous. According to the Iliad, the famous mythical Trojan War took place in Troy. The city is now open to the public as a popular tourist destination.
2. Petra, Jordan
(Abandoned: 6th century AD; Rediscovered: 1812)
A vast, uniquely carved city, Petra was the ancient capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. The city was beautifully turned into an essential junction by the Nabataeans. It served as the spice and silk routes between China, Greece, and Rome, India, with Southern Arabia and Egypt. Petra fell when it was struck by earthquakes that disturbed the vital water supply to the city. Due to water shortages, the town was completely abandoned in the 6th century.
3. Mohenjo-Daro, Pakistan
(Abandoned: 19th century BCE; Rediscovered: 1922)
Built around 2600 BC, the ancient archaeological site in the Sindh province of Pakistan was abandoned in the 19th century BCE. The civilization, sometimes called “An Ancient Indus Valley Metropolis,” thrived in the Indus Valley. Mohenjo-daro, one of the early urban settlements, has a planned layout grid on streets and advanced, structured buildings. At least 35000 residents had lived at the heights of the city.
4. Babylon, Iraq
(Abandoned: 1180 BC; Rediscovered: 19th century)
An ancient Skkadian-speaking state, Babylon, the capital of Babylonia, was located at the Euruphate River in southern Mesopotamia. Home to the hanging gardens, the city is also famous for the 2600-year-old Lion Statue of Babylon. The city lost its physical state and fell into anarchy in 1180 BC.
5. Machu Picchu, Peru
(Abandoned: 16th century AD; Rediscovered: 1911)
According to archaeologists, this famous lost city was built for the Incan Emperor. Machu Picchu, the adventurous destination, was rediscovered by historian Hiram in 1911. The lost city of the Incas was abandoned because of the Spanish conquest. Situated above 7970 feet, the town is unseen from below, so scores of people flock to see the city and witness the past.
6. Pompeii, Italy
(Abandoned: 79 AD; Rediscovered: 1748)
One of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions was once a prosperous city. The volcano erupted on August 24, 79 AD, and the city met a tragic end. Its 11000 inhabitants were buried under tons of ash. The city was rediscovered after 1500 years by a Spanish engineer.
7. Taxila, Pakistan
(Abandoned: 5th century AD; Rediscovered: 4th century BC)
According to the Hindu epic Ramayana, the ancient city of Taxila, or Takshashila, located in the northwest of Pakistan, was founded by King Bharat. A town famous for its Gandhara art was annexed by King Darius in 518 BC. The city flourished due to its position at the junction of the vital trade routes. Its popularity declined, and the Huns destroyed the city in the 5th century.
8. Timgad, Algeria
(Abandoned: 5th century AD; Rediscovered: Around AD 100)
A thriving colony in Algeria, Timgad, was founded by Emperor Trajan around 100 AD. The city was initially built to accommodate around 15000 people but quickly outgrew its original specifications. The town, sacked by Vandals and later by Berbers, disappeared from history in the 5th century and became one of the lost cities.
9. Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
(Abandoned: 15th century AD; Rediscovered: 1868)
Sadly, the great city that took over 300 years to construct has become a complex of stones spread over a large area. Great Zimbabwe is a lost and forgotten city in the southeastern hills of Zimbabwe. The great town is estimated to had around 18000 inhabitants at its peak. Climate change, political instability, water shortages, and a decline in trade were the causes of the city’s decline.
10. Tikal, Guatemala
(Abandoned: 9th century AD; Rediscovered: 1696)
Tikal, one of the most influential cities in the Mayan Empire, was the spiritual city in northern Guatemala. The city thrived during the classic period, with a population between 100,000 and 200,000. The city started to see its decline due to deforestation and erosion. The town’s people began declining exponentially, and the city was abandoned after 650 AD. Its six temples still look impressive today.
11. Angkor, Cambodia
(Abandoned: 15th century AD; Rediscovered: 1603)
Angkor, famously known as a temple city in Cambodia, lies in south Kullen Hills. Angkor is a historical masterpiece, as two million people flock yearly to witness significant historic structures. The town underwent many religious changes from Hinduism to Buddhism many times. Angkor was abandoned as soon as the city was invaded.
12. Palmyra, Syria
(Abandoned: 8th century AD; Rediscovered: 17th century AD)
Palmyra, an ancient city in modern Syria, was an essential and rich city for centuries. The town was significant due to its strategic position along with routes linking Persia with the Mediterranean ports of Roman Syria. The city started to see a decline in trade as the Sassanians captured the Euphrates and the mouth of Tigris. Arab invaders later captured Palmyra, ultimately reaching their point.
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