The World’s Oldest Temples
Since the beginning of time, human beings have sought answers to the many unknowns of the environment around them. In the absence of certainties, the stars and deities have played a crucial role in comforting mankind. For this very reason, different civilizations have erected colossal constructions with the aim of pleasing those supreme beings who seemed to have the answers to everything. Do you know where you can find the oldest temples in the world? Join Civitatis on a journey through these enigmatic monuments!
Göbekli Tepe, a journey through Turkish history
Göbekli Tepe is famous for being the world’s oldest temple. According to historians and archaeologists, this construction was erected in southern Turkey 11,600 years ago. Therefore, the sanctuary predates the inventions of writing and the wheel, and even the beginning of agriculture and breeding of livestock!
It is believed that this temple was built by hunter-gatherers. It stands out for its large pillars with sculpted wild animals that give us an insight into the beliefs of the people of Upper Mesopotamia.
The temple used to be buried and wasn’t discovered until the late 20th century. Currently, different groups of archaeologists are working in the field to find the ruins in their entirety. Given the colossal size of the sanctuary, these excavations could take up to 50 years! It will be at that time when clear conclusions can be drawn about this fascinating place which, according to other historians, isn’t a temple but homes where ceremonial rituals were performed.
Temple of Hatshepsut, in the land of pharaohs
Moving forward in history, this journey takes us to around the year 1479 B.C., the time of Hatshepsut, the second woman to become pharaoh in Ancient Egypt. It was she who ordered a temple to be built to honor her after death and also to worship Amon-Ra, the Sun God.
Excavated in front of a high cliff in the valley of Deir el-Bahari, the funerary temple of Hatshepsut is protected as a World Heritage Site and is undoubtedly a must-see if you go to Egypt. You can visit this place of worship by booking the excursion to the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Colossus and Hatshepsut.
Stonehenge, one of the world’s oldest temples
The construction of the stone circle of Stonehenge began 5,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest temples in the world. The monument is located on a British hill on the outskirts of Salisbury and, to this day, there are many enigmas that still surround this place. Is it true that it took more than 1,000 years to be built? Is it really aligned with the movement of the sun? Who attended the ritual ceremonies that took place here? If you’re traveling in the south of the UK, don’t hesitate to book a ticket to Stonehenge.
Ħaġar Qim, a megalithic landmark in Malta
The Ħaġar Qim complex, located on the island of Malta, is another of the world’s most ancient temples. Protected as a World Heritage Site, this sanctuary has its origins around 3700 BC. In addition to its good state of preservation, this site is known for its large megalith weighing 20 tons. Today, historians are still fascinated by how ancient civilizations without great technology managed to build these places of worship.
Ġgantija, one of the most famous historic sites of Gozo
Leaving the main island of Malta behind, our journey takes us to Gozo, another island in the Maltese archipelago. Here lie the Neolithic temples of Ġgantija, one of the complex religious constructions of this era that have stood the test of time without being demolished, buried or looted.
The shape of the temples evokes the female figure, which is why it is believed that this location was a place of fertility worship back in 3600 BC.
Ziggurat of Ur, over 4,000 years of history
Ziggurats were the typical religious constructions of Mesopotamia. The name literally means “to build high” and they were stepped pyramidal structures that represented both the might of the city and its ruler as well as the greatness of its god.
The Ziggurat of Ur, more than 4,000 years old, is another of the world’s oldest places of worship. This sanctuary, located in Iraq, has undergone numerous reconstructions to improve its structure after different damages from the looting ordered by the Elamite Empire to the Gulf War.
Palace of Knossos, one of the most important temples of Crete
Following the trail of the Minoan culture we arrive in Crete, where we find the Palace of Knossos, built around 2000-1900 B.C. It is not so much a temple, but rather a palatial residence composed of thousands of rooms and numerous sanctuaries. However, given its antiquity and the religious uses that this building also had, it deserves a spot on this list of the world’s most ancient temples.
For many, the Palace of Knossos represents the greatest legacy of the Minoan civilization, considered the most sophisticated ancient culture in Europe.
Luxor Temple, a must-see in Egypt
The Luxor Temple is one of the most spectacular temples in Egypt and one of the oldest in the world. It was built between 1400 and 1000 BC by the pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II in honor of the god Amun.
In times past, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, located more than 3 kilometers apart, were connected by the Avenue of Sphinxes, a corridor that was once framed by more than 600 sphinxes.
