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Alcoy, Spain

La Sarga Cave Paintings

These 7,000-year-old cave paintings depict life in Neolithic Spain.
The seventh-century Omari mosque in Gaza City, shown here in 2022, was largely destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in December 2023.
architecture

The Site of Gaza's Oldest Mosque Has a Rich, Millennia-Old History

The seventh-century Omari Mosque, severely damaged in a recent airstrike, included artifacts of Roman gods, Jewish rituals, and Byzantine and Catholic churches.
Stephennie Mulder January 22, 2024
Ghawr as-Safi, Jordan

Ghawr as-Safi Sugar Mills

This millennium-old site reflects a time when sugar was a treasured commodity.
Baptismal Pool
Subaytilah, Tunisia

Baptismal Pool

A superb Paleo-Christian baptismal pool is preserved among the ruins of ancient Sufetula.
underwater

How the Great Lakes Formed—And the Mystery of Who Watched It Happen

Skilled hunters adapted to the changing landscape and left tantalizing clues to who they were.
Gemma Tarlach January 11, 2024
Bocairent, Spain

Covetes del Colomer

This set of Berber granary caves is now an interpretation center for the cave window structures in the Clarino valley.
Cliffony, Ireland

Creevykeel Court Tomb

One of Ireland's best-preserved chambered cairns can be found next to a wishing tree.
Imperial, Missouri

Mastodon State Historic Site

More than 12,000 years ago, this park was a playground for mastodons.
military history

Was Part of the Great Wall of China Built in a Panic—or Just to Control Livestock?

The Mongolian section could have been related to Genghis Khan or to cows.
Colleen Kelly January 8, 2024
Aguilares, El Salvador

Cihuatán

A major pre-Columbian archaeological site in central El Salvador.
Tiwanaku, Bolivia

Tiwanaku

Over a millennium ago, this site on the shores of Lake Titicaca was home to a city of more than 10,000 people.
Gantofta, Sweden

Gantofta sliprännor

Hidden in an enchanting ravine, numerous mysterious sandstone grooves hint at ancient pagan rituals.
Constanța, Romania

Glykon

An ancient Roman snake god, carved expertly into stone.
Despite the rumors, Björk does not live here.
architecture

Our Favorite New Places of 2023

We added more than 2,000 places to the Atlas this year—these are 23 of our favorites.
Atlas Obscura December 29, 2023
North Macedonia

Stobi

After witnessing the rise and fall of three empires, this ancient city was finally destroyed by a series of earthquakes.
Kamakura, Japan

Hōjō-Komachi Archaeological Remains

The preserved ruins of the Hōjō clan’s palatial estate, hidden in the basement of a tourist information center.
Scott City, Kansas

El Cuartelejo

The ruins of the northernmost pueblo in the Americas tell the story of a mixing of native cultures.
Archaeological Remains at Hala Targowa (Market Hall)
Gdańsk, Poland

Archaeological Remains at Hala Targowa (Market Hall)

Several 12th-century ruins can be found inside this historical market.