Before the Pyramids: 10 Mind-Blowing Monuments Older Than You Think

16th March, 2024

CHIRANJIT MITRA

Monuments are more than just old stones. They showcase the skills, beliefs, and organization of early societies.

A Testament to Human Ingenuity

La Hougue Bie, Jersey (Channel Islands)

Built around 3500 BC, this passage tomb is one of the finest in Europe. Rituals and burials likely took place here.

Sechin Bajo, Peru

Dating back to around 3500 BC, Sechin Bajo is a major ceremonial complex of the early Andes. The carvings hint at power struggles and rituals we are still deciphering.

Knap of Howar, Scotland

Built around 3700 BC, these are some of the oldest standing houses in northern Europe. Knap of Howar offers a glimpse into Neolithic domestic life.

Listoghil, Ireland

This passage tomb complex dates back to approximately 3550 BC. Its dominant position in the landscape suggests the power and ritual importance held by those buried within.

Monte d'Accoddi, Sardinia

Constructed around 4000-3650 BC, Monte d'Accoddi is unlike any other European prehistoric monument. It appears to have influences from Mesopotamia, hinting at long-distance connections.

Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge evolved over centuries from roughly 3000 BC to 1500 BC. Long before the giant stones, its early phases involved simple earthworks and wooden structures. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

Built around 2560 BC, this tomb for Pharaoh Khufu was awe-inspiring. As the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, its construction techniques still baffle experts.

The Megalithic Temples of Malta

Dating between 3600 and 2500 BC, these temples are among the oldest freestanding structures on Earth. They offer insights into the beliefs and society of a mysterious island culture. 

Barnenez, France

Constructed around 4850 BC, Barnenez is an enormous passage tomb complex with multiple burial chambers. It demonstrates the sophisticated engineering skills of its Neolithic builders. 

Göbekli Tepe, Turkey

Dating back to 9500 BC, Göbekli Tepe revolutionizes our understanding of early societies. Complex structures built by hunter-gatherers? It forces us to rethink what we thought we knew.