Favorite Archeology Site in Europe/World
 

I just like to get the thoughts of others on this. Which site did you most enjoy visiting/get the most out of.<BR><BR>For me, two sites in Europe come to mind - Herculaneum near Naples Italy - which I liked better than Pompeii, and Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands in Ireland - for its spectacular setting.<BR><BR>Other sites that I thought were great were the Mayan site of Tikal in Guatamala - spectacular pyramids in the jungle, and <BR>the tombs in Luxor, Egypt.<BR>

Being Scottish and married to an archaeological obsessive, I love the Celtic sites. So far it would be a toss up between Kilmartin Glen near Oban- which has a huge range of artefacts- and a place called Carn du Bernanez on the north coast of Brittany.<BR><BR>Outside the Celtic fringe- Crete- the wide panoply of Minoan ruins are fantastic.<BR><BR>Outside Europe? Nowhere (yet)

I know no one believes there are actually sites of wonder in USA!! I am addicted to Europe and all its splendor, but in New mEXICO there is a pueblo called Acoma and it is a site to see!!!

Ephesus is right up there with my favorites. Actually all the Roman ruins we have visited are special, but for different reasons. The theaters in Ostia Antica and Vaisson-la-Romaine; the mosaics and arena in Italica; the house of Vetti in Pompeii; agree with Howard that Herculaneum is very special; the arenas in Nime and Arles; the pool area (can't think of the correct name) at Hadrian's Villa.<BR><BR>My favorite in Mexico is Uxmal, but Tulum is special because it overlooks the beautiful blue-green water of the Caribbean; Coba because the Spanish never found it.<BR><BR>The only Minoan site we have visited is Knossos, which is somewhat controversial because of the extensive restoration that was done.<BR><BR>Enjoyed visiting the Acropolis in Athens.<BR><BR>Look forward to Egypt someday and so many other interesting places!<BR><BR>j<BR>

This is difficult but I would say<BR>1. the collective sites in Egypt inc. Giza, Luxor, Abu Simbel and on and on.<BR>2. The Subterranean Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang better known as the Terracotta Warrior excavation in Xian, China<BR>3. Chichen Itza,then Teotihuacan,Mexico<BR>4. Pompeii<BR>5. sites prev. mentioned in Ireland<BR>Fascinating, all. Judy

PJ, totally agree. I visited the meseta where the Acoma Pueblo still lives and it was one amazing experience. That and a visit to the Roman Ruins of Baelo Claudio, off the coast of Tarifa in the southeast coast of Spain (Andalucia). This roman town was destroyed by an earthquake and its ruins lay on a hill next to the ocean, markets, temples, houses and all. You won't find it in guidebooks, which for us was a blessing. Believed it or not, I got much more sense of life in a Roman trade town from that visit than to my visit to Pompeii, which was spectacular, but in other ways.<BR><BR>AWESOME QUESTION!!

My favourites of the ones I have visited:<BR><BR>1) In Europe (I count western Turkey part of Europe) Ephesus.<BR><BR>2) In the world: Angkor Vat and Karnak temple in Luxor.

In Europe, just about anywhere on Malta. Bronze Age villages in a guy's backyard, caves, temples...<BR><BR>Outside Europe, so far, Volubilis in Morocco. Cool 'cause you can walk around among the ruins - nothing's roped off, you can wander anywhere your sense of reponsibility will let you.

In Europe, my two favorites so far are the tombs beneath St. Peters, which can be seen on the Scavi Tour, and the Colosseum. <BR><BR>Elsewhere: I am a big fan of Uxmal as well. It is beautiful, mysterious, and fairly well-reconstructed. Chichen Itza is less beautiful but excellently rebuilt. I also liked Coba because of its jungle location. It is a place where you can wander and imagine virtually alone. I guess you could include the Great Wall; I will never forget standing atop it on a hazy morning just after a rainstorm and marveling at how it followed the landscape around and around, up and down, off into the distance.

This is not easy....<BR><BR>1. In this country the Anasazi caves and pueblo at Badelier National Monument, just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico.<BR><BR>2. In Europe -- I love Delphi -- sitting in the ampitheatre there with Mt. Parnassus behind you and the Gulf of Corinth before you -- looking down on a stage where the famous ancient Greek tragedies were performed...

the cave houses and churches and underground cities of cappadocia.

The Terra-Cotta Warrior Excavation at Xian, China.

Coba, because there is still so much to be excavated there, and a small site near Merida that is in the process of being excavated/reconstructed, called Xtampu - we were allowed to roam (respectfully) all over it when we visited it. Saw racks and racks of bones and skulls drying - were told that about 80+ ancient Mayan bodies have been found there.<BR>ja

In Europe, the Acropolis. I had studied archaeology at Sydney Uni and on my first trip to Europe Athens was the first destination. I'll never forget my first sight of the Acropolis from the taxi on our way in from the airport.<BR>Elsewhere, the pyramids at Giza. A similar first view to the above - from the balcony of our hotel in Cairo, albeit a very hazy one. Actually going inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) was AMAZING - and incredibly humid in June.

Pompeii--prefer it over Herculaneum.

Mesa Verde in SW Colorado.

I have to agree with the Great Wall and the Xian terra cotta warriors in China.
The Roman ruins at Jerash(Jordan) and Ephesus, and we loved the caves in St Christophe in the Dordogne as well.
To totally outdo the sense of awe I have experienced from these places though I would say it was on following the suq (a closed in secretive pathway through rocks) which opens up to display the fabulous vista of Petra in Jordan.
This site always tops my list of AWESOME!
Some of the other places others have listed I have not seen....yet.
This may be an old topic but worth revisiting for new ideas

I absolutely love Delos, Greece. It was so amazing just wander all over this island that noone but archaeologists live on. We wandered up to the top of the hill (or mountain) and the views overlooking the site and sea were spectacular. On our way down the hill, out of nowhere, came a wild, white horse. It was like something out of a movie... absolutely unforgetable!

Surprised no one has mentioned Machu Picchu--truly a breath catching sight!