Tuesday 2 April 2024

Prasat Thom, Cambodia

Prasat Thom is a stunning pyramid construction located in Koh Ker, Cambodia's ancient city. It is thought to have been built during the reign of King Jayavarman IV in the tenth century AD. This massive edifice stands roughly 36 meters tall and has seven terraces. The pyramid was created as a state temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, but its purpose has surely altered throughout the years. 

Read More: Lake Yeak Laom Cambodia


Saturday 30 March 2024

Ancient well system at Nazca, Peru

The ancient well system at Nazca, Peru, was an important part of the sophisticated water management network established by the Nazca civilization between 100 BC and 800 AD. In addition to the underground aqueducts known as puquios, the Nazca people built wells, or cacchitos, to draw water from aquifers in the harsh desert climate. These wells were precisely engineered to prevent water contamination and provide a consistent water supply for agricultural and everyday use.

The engineering and upkeep of the aqueducts and wells demonstrated the Nazca people's sophisticated mastery of hydrology and ability to adapt to harsh desert circumstances. The Nazca well system was critical to the civilization's survival, allowing for large-scale agriculture and supporting a complex society. Nowadays, these ancient water management systems serve as a tribute to the Nazca people's ingenuity and capacity to flourish in a harsh climate. Ongoing research is revealing how significant of these outstanding accomplishments.

Read More: The Golden Chains of Laburnum


 

Zona Arqueológica de Teuchitlán

The Zona Arqueológica de Teuchitlán, also known as Guachimontones, is a captivating ancient site in the scenic landscape of Jalisco, Mexico. What sets this archaeological treasure apart are its circular stepped pyramids, or "guachimontones," which stand as a unique testament to the rich history of the region.

Dating back to the era between 300 BCE and 900 CE, the Teuchitlán culture left behind these enigmatic structures, which are a marvel of ancient engineering and architectural prowess. The circular stepped pyramids are a striking departure from the more familiar Mesoamerican pyramid shapes, featuring concentric circles of terraces culminating in a central altar. These structures likely served as ceremonial platforms for religious rites and communal gatherings, offering a glimpse into the spiritual practices and social dynamics of the Teuchitlán people. 

Read More: The New York Cave of the Winds


Wednesday 13 March 2024

Mingun Pagoda - Myanmar

Its a massive incomplete stupa (Mingun Pagoda) and the second-largest bell in the world are situated in Mingun, close to Amarapura, Myanmar. Myanmar is a Buddhist nation with a lot of lovely places to visit, particularly its spiritually inspired architecture. The breathtakingly stunning and imposing Mingun Pahtodawgy stupa still stands in the village of Mingun. Despite being a ruin, Mandalay City has turned this area into a very popular destination. 
In fact, Mingun Pahtodawgyi is the largest brick pile in the world and is a rather nice mound of bricks. Originally designed to be a 500-foot-tall stupa, or a mound containing Buddhist relics, Pahtodawgyi is nonetheless an impressive building even though it is not yet complete. With dimensions of 450 by 450 feet and a height of 172 feet, it is much larger than the surrounding terrain and could have easily surpassed the Great Pyramid of Giza in size had King Bodawpaya completed construction. 


Saturday 2 March 2024

Angkor Temples, Cambodia

The phrase "Angkor Temples & Ancient Sites" describes a collection of temples and historic locations in Cambodia's Angkor area. The Khmer Empire peaked during the ninth and fifteenth centuries CE, with its capital city being Angkor. The pinnacle of Khmer art and architecture may be seen in the temples and ancient sites of Angkor, which also serve as a reminder of the area's rich cultural heritage. The most famous temple in Angkor is Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's biggest religious structures. Angkor Wat, a temple complex with exquisite sculptures and breathtaking architectural details, was constructed in the 12th century CE and mixes Buddhist and Hindu influences.

Other noteworthy temples in the region are Ta Prohm, which is partly hidden by tree roots and has a striking combination of architecture and nature, and Bayon, which is well-known for the mysterious smiling faces carved on its towers. The Khmer Empire's political, spiritual, and cultural hub was the ancient city of Angkor. The West Baray reservoir and Angkor Thom, two examples of advanced irrigation systems, demonstrate the Khmer people's engineering prowess. The temples and other Angkorian sites have withstood the test of time and continue to be an irreplaceable heritage, despite various challenges such as environmental variables and warfare. 


Tuesday 9 January 2024

Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy.

It was built just outside of Rome, by the Appian Way (212–216 AD). The baths were of an unprecedented size, allowing 1600 Romans to bathe simultaneously. In addition to the bathing facilities, there were two libraries, shops, offices, gardens, and even a sports area. Artworks recovered from the ruins include famous sculptures like the Farnese Bull and the Farnese Hercules. During and after their operation as baths, they served as inspiration for many other notable buildings, ancient and modern, like the Baths of Diocletian, the Basilica of Maxentius, the original Pennsylvania Station in New York City, Chicago Union Station, and the Senate of Canada Building. Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy is tourist attractions these days.


Wednesday 13 December 2023

Tunnel running across the field and directly under the farmer's house

The true treasure lies in discovering who or what created these tunnels. In 2009, a farmer in the south of Brazil was driving through his corn field when he felt his tractor suddenly sink and lurch to one side, making the vehicle shudder to a halt. When researchers arrived to investigate, they were shocked to find a tunnel running across the field and directly under the farmer's house, with deep claw marks embedded into the walls indicating its previous occupant was not human. A geologist and one of the scientists who visited the farmer's property concluded was the work of a giant ground.

tunnel running across the field and directly under the farmer's house

Wednesday 11 October 2023

The Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathian Mountains, a range of mountains in central Europe. The area is forming for the greater part of their extent a natural boundary of Hungary, in the shape of a semicircular belt of nearly 800 miles in length, extending from Orsova on the Servian frontier, to Presburg. Its breadth is considerable, reaching a maximum of 240 to 250 miles, between the Banat and Transylvania.

The Carpathian Mountain chain may be divided into two great sections, the East and the West Carpathians, the former curving from the mouth of the Nera to the source of the Theiss, and forming the boundary between Austria and Romania. The latter proceeded from the sources of the Theiss and the Pruth, terminating on the banks of the Danube west of Presburg, and forming the boundary between Hungary and Galicia.


To the western Carpathians belongs the remarkable group of the Tatra, in which is situated the culminating summit of the whole system, the Gerlsdorf Peak, 8,737 feet. Several other peaks exceed 8,000 feet. The loftiest summit of the eastern Carpathians reaches an elevation of 8,318 feet. The most remarkable and frequented passes are those of Teregova, leading from Orsova to Temcswar; of Vulkar, forming the valley in which the Schyl flows; and of the Rothenthurm, in a gorge formed by the Aluta at the foot of Mount Szurul.


The outer bend of the Carpathians is much steeper than that which descends toward the valleys of Transylvania and Hungary. The only important rivers that actually rise in the chain are the Vistula, the Dniester, and the Theiss. The formation of the Carpathians took place mostly in the Tertiary period, and was practically completed at the end of the Miocene. The eastern part of the Carpathian chain, from Orsova to the source of the Burcza, near Kronstadt, is entirely composed of primitive rocks. These are succeeded by grauwacke, which extends to the sources of the Theiss and is only interrupted by a primitive group between the pass of Borgo and the source of the Viso.

A great chain of trachyte appears on the frontiers of the Bukowina and stretches to the point where the Aluta begins to flow southwest. To the west of this chain, on approaching the plains, an extensive tract of sandstone belonging to the coal formation begins to appear and covers the greater part of Transylvania. Tertiary formations surround the vast plains of Hungary, which consist of a rich alluvium, and must once have been the bed of a lake. Basalt frequently occurs, but no distinct traces of extinct volcanoes have been found.

The Carpathian Mountains range is rich in minerals, including gold, silver, quicksilver, copper, and iron. Salt occurs in beds, which have sometimes a thickness of 600 or 700 feet, and are apparently inexhaustible. On the plateaus corn and fruit are grown to the height of 1,500 feet; higher up the mountain steeps are covered with forests of pine, some of them as high as 5,500 feet. About 6,000 feet seems to be the vegetable limit. Above it, a few lichens may be found, but in general, nothing is seen but bare, steep rocks, many of them in the form of conical peaks.










Friday 8 September 2023

Pancuran Pitu, Jave Indonesia

Pitu shower in Baturraden, Purwokerto has a sulfur content that is said to cure disease. This Pitu shower has its own legend. Here's the story. This tourist location is located in the middle of a resin and pine forest which is about 2.5 km to the west of Lokawisata Baturraden, Purwokerto, Central Java. Access to this tourist attraction can be reached by using a private vehicle. The road that is passed is smooth asphalt even though some are damaged. Travelers can also walk with a distance of about 5 km from the Wana Wisata gate.
As the name implies, it is called Pancuran Pitu or in Indonesian it is Pancuran Tujuh because it has seven natural showers that flow directly from Mount Slamet. This hot spring contains elements of sulfur, temperatures between 70 degrees Celsius, and contains several mineral elements.
Hot spring deposits that are dried can produce sulfur powder. Its sulfur content is effectively used for the treatment of bone/rheumatism pain and various skin diseases such as tinea versicolor, ringworm, and others. Besides that, it can also be used for scrubs and masks to treat acne. Next to the Pitu Shower there is a grave of Mbah Atas Angin. Information from the counter keeper, there is a legend about Shower Pitu. There was a propagator of Islam named Sheikh Maulana Maghribi and a follower named Haji Datuk.
One morning they saw a mysterious light. They sailed on a ship and wanted to find out where this mysterious light came from. Arriving at Gresik Beach, East Java, the light appeared from the west. They sailed west and arrived at Pemalang Beach, Central Java. They then continued their journey on foot south.
Then, Sheikh Maulana suffered from itching and was difficult to cure. One night Sheikh Maulana got the inspiration that he had to go to Mount Gora. Upon arrival at Mount Gora, it turned out that there was a place emitting smoke. It turns out there is a hot spring there which has seven fountains. Sheikh Maulana decided to stay and seek treatment by taking regular baths from the hot spring and eventually his illness was completely cured.
Then Sheikh Maulana named the place Pancuran Pitu. Local residents call Sheikh Maulana Mbah Atas Angin because he comes from a distant country. Not far from Pancuran Pitu there is a path that travelers can follow to reach Selirang Cave. This Selirang cave is supplied with hot water which comes from the Pitu fountain. The rocks in Selirang Cave are also beautiful yellowish in color accompanied by puffs of smoke. When viewed from below it looks like a cave covered with a waterfall.

Source - CP