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

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.

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

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

Kuwait City's uniquely designed water towers look straight out of a retro sci-fi cityscape.

Lived-in building, bedecked with an astonishing array of mirror mosaics.

This seemingly random 30-foot statue of an oryx in Qatar's capital was a mascot for the 2006 Asian Games.

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

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

This exceptionally well-preserved ancient marvel also houses a small museum dedicated to Jordanian folk tradition.

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

This cascade of mineral-rich hot springs and waterfalls is an oasis in the Jordanian desert.

Descend 2,030 years into the past in an ancient tunnel built to support Jerusalem's most famous wall.

The home of the Dead Sea Scrolls is an abstract modernist dream.

An ancient instrument used to measure the waters of the Nile so Egyptian farmers would know whether to expect famine or flood.

This ancient structure is widely thought to be the oldest intact pyramid in the world.

Ozymandias’ time-keeping temple.

A 15th-century granary that played the role of futuristic slave quarters in the world of 'Star Wars.'

Buildings from the fictional planet of Tatooine still litter the Tunisian desert.

The original film set of Luke Skywalker's Tatooine home from the 'Star Wars' trilogy.

A stunning Victorian abbey and walled garden on a lakefront.

The ruins of an 800-year-old monastery boasts the tallest round tower in Ireland.

An enormous public square and parade ground built to celebrate Ghana's independence.

The oldest known university in the world is in Fez, Morocco.