Mada’in Saleh Saudi Arabia

Mada’in Saleh is one of the most remarkable and exciting archeological sites in the world. Most of us know about Petra in Jordan but very few peoples have even heard of Mada’in Saleh, the second largest settlement of Nabataean people after Petra. Mada’in Saleh (cities of Saleh) is a pre-Islamic archaeological site located in the Al-Ula Region of Saudi Arabia sector about 400km north-west of Madinah and 500 km south-east of Petra, Jordan. This is the place, where nomadic tribe of Thamud lived, which were famous for its idol worshipping, oppression and tyranny became prevalent. Mada’in Saleh is also called “Al-Hijr” or “Hegra”, this was the area, where Prophet Hazrat Saleh A.S. was being sent by Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to guide them but they didn’t accepted his teachings and were destroyed by an earthquake.

Well, the Prophet Hazrat Saleh A.S, to whom the site's name of Mada'in Saleh is attributed, called the Thamudis to repent. But the Thamudis disregarded the warning and instead commanded Prophet Hazrat Saleh A.S to summon a pregnant she-camel from the back of a mountain. And so, a pregnant she-camel was sent to the people from the back of the mountain by Allah Talah, as proof of Saleh's divine mission. Though, only a minority of peoples heeded his words. While the others non-believers killed the sacred camel instead of caring for it as they were told, and its calf ran back to the mountain where it had come from, screaming. The Thamudis were given three days before their punishment was to take place, since they disbelieved and did not heed the warning. The Prophet Hazrat Saleh A.S. and the believers left the city, but the Thamudis were punished by Allah Talah when their souls leaving their lifeless bodies in the midst of an earthquake and lightning blasts.

The Muslims Holy Book Qur’an says; Thamud carved out homes in the mountains were punished by Allah Talah for their practice of idol worship, being struck by massive earthquake and lightning blasts. So the earthquakes seized them and they lay dead, prostrate in their homes. Then Hazrat Saleh A.S turned from them, and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the Message of my God, and have given you correct guidance & path but you like not good advisers.   

In 2008, Mada’in Saleh has become Saudi Arabia First UNESCO World Heritage site, selected for its well-preserved remains from late antiquity, particularly the 131 rock-cut monumental tombs, with their elaborately ornamented façades, of the Nabatean kingdom. The site setting on the plain foot of a basalt plateau, notable for its desert landscape, marked by sandstone outcrops of various sizes and heights. 

The ruins of the town of Hegra are, still for the most part unexcavated, were made of unimpressive sun-dried mudbrick. The Qasr al Bint, “Palace of the Daughter or Maiden,” is the largest tomb façade at Hegra, with a height of 16 m. It lends its name to a group of adjacent tombs.  The most photogenic and most iconic symbol of Mada’in Saleh is Qasr al-Farid, a single tomb carved into a small dome that stands alone in the open. Moreover The Jebel Ithlib is a monumental outcrop topped with a complex of spires in the northeastern part of the site. The Jebel Ithlib sanctuary a canal channeled water into a cistern. Its enormous cliff faces have small sacred niches and altars carved into their otherwise unhewn surfaces. 

Mada’in Saleh is gleaned from the inscriptions displayed on the site, which comprises of more than 100 decorated tombs and 1000 non-monumental graves, bearing both inscriptions and cave drawings. Though the site is alike to Jordan’s Petra, the Nabataean city of Mada’in Saleh surpasses its better known neighbor. The multi-ethnic symbols and datable graves of the site, as well the exclusive sandstone cave structures, facilitate a better understanding of the Nabataean tribe and Mada’in Saleh, an ancient city that once served as the most vital stop on the caravan route between Southern Arabia and the Jordan Valley. 

The recent archaeological investigation is slowly disclosing the hidden treasures, and the most acclaimed and iconic parts of the site today are “Qasr al Bint” and “Qasr Al-Fareed”. While, the former is the Palace of the Daughter, which, with its 16m height is the largest tomb at Mada’in Saleh, the latter stands independently as a huge tomb construction carved into the cliff. Though the tomb was never finished, the following dedication is visible, carved into the stone: ‘To Hayyan, the Son of Kuza and his descendants’. Moreover the Mada’in Saleh ruins are surrounded by hills yet lie on a deserted, volcanic plateau which, thanks to sustainable water sources and fertile soil, has always attracted settlers. 

The enigmatic Nabataeans were originally a nomadic tribe, but their settlements began to flourish.  As well as their agricultural activities, they developed political systems, arts, engineering, stonemasonry, and demonstrated astonishing hydraulic expertise, including the construction of wells, cisterns, and aqueducts. These innovations stored water for prolonged periods of drought, and enabled them to prosper. They expanded their trading routes, creating more than 2,000 sites in total in the areas that today are Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia. Archaeologists still try to unravel the history of the Nabataeans, which in large remains unknown. In Mada’in Saleh, you can see several large boulders rising out of the flat desert, and most of the structures seen were used as tombs, all of them cut into the surrounding sandstone rocks. 

The area has multiple quarries that the Nabataean masons are said to have used to cut and carve stone blocks.  However, no buildings utilizing stone blocks have ever been found so it is unidentified what exactly the quarries were used for. The mystery may lie below the sand of the desert, with monuments still waiting to be explored. Therefore, the site has gotten a reputation as a cursed place an image which the national government is attempting to overcome as it seeks to develop Mada'in Saleh for its tourism potential.

The Scared Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake is also known “Old Man of the Lake” is a caldera lake located in south Central Oregon in the western United States. The Crater Lake is famous due to its deep blue color and water clarity. This is deepest lake in United States and 7^th in the world with the depth of around 1943 feet, depending on average or maximum depth is measured.  The lake partly fills an approximately 2,148-foot deep caldera that was formed about 7,700 years ago by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama. Moreover, there’re no rivers flowing into or out of the lake; the evaporation is compensated for by rain and snowfall at a rate such that the total amount of water is replaced every 250 years. In 1902, Crater Lake and its surrounding 180,000 acres were to be "dedicated and set apart forever as a public park or pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States.

Crater Lake is a full-sized tree which is now a stump that has been bobbing vertically in the lake for more than a century. Hence the low water temperature has slow down the decomposition of the wood, henceforth the longevity of the bobbing tree. Further, two islands are in Crater Lake, named Wizard Island, formed from a cinder cone that erupted after Crater Lake started to fill with water, and the other smaller Phantom Ship, which has seven distinctive trees living on it. There are also colonies of violet green swallows and numerous varieties of wildflowers and lichens living there. The lake was in rich with variety of fish in between 1888 to 1941, whereas having no indigenous fish population. Therefore, many species have formed self-sustaining population.

In June 1853, the explorer John Wesley Hillman named the lake “Deep Blue Lake”, but was thrice changed the name as Blue Lake, Lake Majesty and eventually Crater Lake. The Crater Lake is five to six miles across with a caldera rim ranging in elevation about 7,000 to 8,000 feet with average depth is 1,148 feet, while maximum measured depth is 1,949 feet. Moreover, the caldera was created in a huge volcanic eruption somewhere 6,000 and 8,000 years ago that led to the subsidence of Mount Mazama. The lava eruptions created a central platform, Wizard Island, Merriam Cone, and other, smaller volcanic features, including a rhyodacite dome that was ultimately formed atop the central platform. Finally, the caldera cooled, letting rain and snow to accumulate and sooner or later form a lake. Some hydrothermal activity remains along the lake floor, suggesting that at some time in the future Mazama may erupt once again.

Crater Lake has a subalpine climate, in the summer, the weather is mild and dry, but the winter is extremely cold and massive snowfalls averaging 488 inches per year, and does not usually melt until mid-July. Perhaps the most unique feature of the lake is its remarkable ochre and rust hues of the surrounding rock walls. Animal life inhabiting the area nearly all of which is protected wilderness—includes deer, bears, eagles, hawks, owls, and grouse, and, particularly in summer, there is an abundance of songbirds and insectivorous birds. Crater Lake contains plant life is predominantly pine and fir trees, with wildflowers covering the meadows in summer.

This area has no pollution, which caused the lake has no inlets or tributaries; the water of lake is purest in the world. In 1997, the scientists recorded the clarity up to 175 feet, as compare to normal clarity falls in 80 to 115 feet. The lake is extremely clear for any natural body of water, but has relatively high levels of dissolved salts, total alkalinity, and conductivity. The Native American tribe Klamath has regarded the lake as scared site, who have witnessed the collapse of Mount Mazama actually created the Crater Lake. The Klamath natives used Crater Lake in vision quests, often involved climbing the caldera walls and other risky tasks. Hence, those who were successful in such quests were often regarded as having more spiritual powers. The tribe still holds Crater Lake in high regard as a spiritual site. 

Also there is "Old Man of the Lake," a hemlock log that has been floating upright in the lake for more than 100 years wind currents enable the Old Man to travel to different locations around the lake. Further, a lot of activities you can do at Crater Lake, like day hikes, fishing, and Scuba diving are most popular here. Crater Lake is a spectacular mountain lake widely renowned for its great depth and beauty although the Klamath Indians regarded the lake with much respect, awe and fear.

The Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia

Turkey’s Cappadocia region is extremely an exclusive for its beautiful nature and history. The Fairy Chimney also called tufa rock cones are located in a region once known as Cappadocia, which ran through the historic Silk Road trading route.  The ancient civilization shows the sings how they carved out towers of rock, give way to homes thousands of years old but still decorated with original frisks. The fairy chimneys are result of a geologic process that started millions of years ago, when sculpted by wind, flood water, and volcanic eruptions rained ash across eventually hardened into stuff, a porous rock, covered by a layer of basalt. Ultimately, the lengthy work of erosion instigated, the softer tuff wore down, giving way to pillars, stand as tall as 130 feet.

The harder basalt erodes more sluggishly, founding a protective, mushroom-shaped cap over each one. Just like that, a fairy chimney is born. The humans have used these chimneys for centuries, but as the centuries running like wheels, the area was raided and invaded by European empire builders. The Hittites, the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Ottomans all laid claim to the land at one time or another. The fairy chimneys with caps have a conical shaped body and a boulder on top of it. The cone is constructed from tufa and volcanic ash, while the cap is of hard, sturdier rock such as lahar or ignimbrite. Various types of fairy chimneys are with caps, cones, mushroom like forms, columns and pointed rocks.

During the Roman times, persecuted Christians fled in droves to Goreme and built homes, churches and expanded ancient caves into underground cities in these chimneys.  Now, the rock sites of Cappadocia and Göreme National Park designated “World Heritage Site by UNESCO” and describes as one of the world's most striking and largest cave-dwelling complexes. In the ancient times, local’s inhabitants used these chimneys as shelter under threat of invasion, shielding themselves from outsiders with heavy stone doors and intricately designed traps. As the time passes, new ideas came into the mind of locals to use them as a source of income. They’ve hand dug artifacts make stunning bond with Cappadocia’s natural wonders. Every year millions of peoples come to see this marvelous place, even they can sleep in certain caves and chimneys have been converted into unique hotels.

Without any doubt, the fairy chimneys are product of Cappadocia environments, a true miracle millions of years in the making however, humans transformed these miracles into home burrowing into the magic and making it his own way to generate revenue. Moreover fairy chimneys are usually found in the valleys of the Uchisar- Ürgüp-Avanos triangle, between Urgup and Sahinefendi, around the town of Cat in Nevsehir, in the Sogani valley in Kayseri, and in the village of Selime in Aksaray. The natural beauty is drawn by the high rocks surrounding it and the fairy chimneys within; it's a place that offers unbelievable natural treasures. You can say as “Valley of the Fairy Chimneys,” and photographs can’t even begin to give you an idea of what it was like to actually be there, but the experience of seeing this part of the world with our own eyes was breath-taking.

The Stone Town of Kuklica, Macedonia

Macedonia is a place with a complicated history similar to many European countries. It has been settled, invaded, conquered, and fought over for thousands of years.  There’s a stone town area comprising of more than 120 naturally formed stone pillars located in the village of Kuklica about 8 km northwest of Kratovo. Kuklica is a small town, housing no more than about 100 inhabitants. However, stone formations are situated on the right bank of Kriva River Valley, an altitude of 415-420 m stretching an area of 0.3 square km. There’s an interesting behind the stone pillars, when there is a man who fell in love with two women but could not decide which he should marry. He was in troubling in dilemma situation between two women. One day he decided to marry both women on the same day at different times.

Therefore, when the first wedding was in progress, the other women saw her future husband marrying another women, she cursed all in attendance at the wedding and turned them into stone pillars. Moreover another interesting story is that, when a popular legend was went in forest in that area, but due to battles it was burned down. After that the area became a wasteland. Even though, the temperatures were very low and when the army passed through the wasteland, all of the soldiers turned into rocks. Furthermore, according to local villagers, new figures appear every five to six years. There’re 4 places at the Balkans where you can this phenomenon, however three of them in Macedonia.

Well, despite the mystic stories the earth pyramid in Kuklica was formed as a result of natural erosion processes in the Holocene, almost 100,000 years ago. The stone dolls of Kuklica, as they’re often called, are recognized in geological circles as earth pyramids, or earth pillars are mainly believed by specialists that they are the product of natural erosion and the more conspiratorial among us roll our eyes on cue. In fact, the entire region was at one time part of a large volcanic system, as most of the rock in the area is tuff (solidified ash) and volcanic rock, both of which are relatively soft.  Thus, differences in the erodibility of the volcanic rocks of the area are the main factor for the pillars creation. Therefore, soft tuffs rocks on the base are overlaid by solid, sturdy andesites and ignimbrites on the top, which are nearly 30 million years old. Kuklica is quite small and not an easy place to find, so it is suggested to hire a tour guide to get the most out of their experience. 

Ancient Acoma Pueblo Sky City

Tiny settlement has been home to the same tribe for 800 years still doesn't have running water or electricity and is reached by a staircase cut out of rock nestled on top of a large cliff in New Mexico is a sleepy commune that is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. It is believed that Acoma Pueblo in Valencia County has been occupied by the Acoma people for more than 800 years, since 1150AD - however nowadays it only has 50 full-time inhabitants even they don’t have any running water, electricity or sewage system. In the 1950s part of the rock-face was blown up and a road was constructed to the top. But before that the only way to visit the site via 360 feet above the desert was up a near-vertical staircase carved into the golden rock-face.

Therefore, these days, most visitors use the road, but the staircase is still an option for those who are courageous enough. It is conventional, given its dizzying heights, that the camp is also recognized as Sky City. Several centuries ago, in 1540 Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronad was one of the first European visitors to the ancient settlement.  Acoma Pueblo was 'one of the strongest places ever seen, because the city was built on a high rock. The ascent was so difficult that we repented climbing to the top'. Thus, approximately 60 years after this, raids started in the area, led by colonial governor Juan de Oñate. Moreover in a bid to defend their sandstone dwelling, the Acoma Pueblo villagers made the first move and were said to have killed a number of men, including Oñate's nephew.

So, it turned out to be a terrible idea, as two months later the Spaniards pursued revenge, killing 600 inhabitants and enslaving 500 others.  The settlement's population rapidly dropped from 2,000 to just 250, with survivors starts in on the slow process of reconstructing their home. Although, Spanish control was still felt in Acoma Pueblo, though, with villagers enforced to pay taxes on cotton, crops and labour. Furthermore, Catholicism was initiated with the arrival of missionaries and somewhere in between 1629 and 1640 a church was erected in the camp. Building this was no easy feat, as 20,000 tons of stone and earth and 30 foot beams had to be lugged up the steep mountain, because not everyone was pleased with these new changes.

The Pueblo Revolt took place in 1680, with more than 17,000 inhabitants rising up against colonists, wiping out all the Spanish camps in the area. Further invasions occurred during the centuries that followed, mostly from the Apache, Comanche, and Ute tribes and the establishment of railroads in the 1880s saw a stream of missionaries and schools trying to influence the Acoma Pueblo dwellers. Lastly the villagers gave way to a more modern lifestyle, and by 1920 a lot of of the children were sent away to boarding schools for education. Hence, now there are around 300 earthen buildings still unharmed, but very few enduring inhabitants due to the lack of electricity, sewage disposal and running water. The greatest things about Acoma are the people, who consider themselves to be a peaceful and spiritual group that will merged into the world.