A "miracle" that seems to produce more holy fistfights than holy revelations.

Within the Saudi Arabian desert lies a 2,000-year-old ghost town made of stone and mud.

Once a major stop on the Hejaz Railway, this desert station (complete with steam locomotive) has been abandoned for decades.

These ruins by the Dead Sea is where John the Baptist met his untimely end.

The remains of three different ancient civilizations have been found at this rich archaeological site.

Concentrated around the Dead Sea, these surprising canyons are filled with coursing water, fish, and even crabs.

The most gigantic, swoony, intimidating trio of fingers in all of antiquity.

Gladiators battle and chariots race daily in the ruins of a once-great Roman city.

An ancient capital city that dates back 3,000 years old and harbors many surprises.

Two Chinese dragons guard the caves of this medieval temple in Iran.

Burial site of a Jewish prophet revered in Iran.

The tower in this 1,000-year-old mud-brick village seems to vibrate for no apparent reason.

This ancient fortress in Iran was once the oldest and largest treasury in the world.

This ancient burial site is believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world.

Salt cured mummies continue to turn up in this Iranian mine.

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.

A sophisticated astronomical tower built by one of the greatest Persian scholars of the Islamic Golden Age.

This ruined fortress was the stronghold for a persecuted medieval leader and his infamous Assassins.

The palace of the King of Kings, burned by Alexander the Great.

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.

This remnant of an ancient Persian city is considered to be the world's largest single-span brick vault arch.

Ancient rock-cut tomb? Definitely. That of a great Median king? Unlikely.

9th century Abbasid mosque, damaged in modern warfare.

Celebrated as a center of civilization, the remains of the ancient city have been nearly destroyed by greed, egoism, and war.