The Chapel of the Tablet, housing the alleged Ark of the Covenant

Once thought (erroneously) to be a city of the biblical Queen of Sheba, Great Zimbabwe stands as the most important archaeological site yet found in sub-Saharan Africa. Though historians are still seeking answers about the origin and purpose of the city, evidence suggests the Shona, ancestors of the modern Bantu, built it beginning around A.D. 1250 and that it served as a spiritual center.

Dead sea scrolls

Aerial view of Horbat Qumran, looking east

THE BLACK PHARAOHS

Temple of Ramses II, statues of Ramses II

Luxor, EgyptThe Kiosk of Taharqa, first courtyard at the Karnak Temple.

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (c.1503-1482 BC) (photo)     Deir El-Bahri, Thebes, Egypt

Seated statue of King Djoser (2630-2611 BC) from the Mortuary Temple beside the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, Early Dynastic Period (limestone)

Bust of Queen Nefertiti, from the studio of the sculptor Thutmose at Tell el-Amarna (painted limestone)

Bust of Amenophis IV (Akhenaten) (c.1364-1347 BC) from the Temple of Amun, Karnak, c.1353-1337 BC (sandstone) (detail

Pharaoh bas-relief in Museum of Luxor

Lifesize statuette of the king, from the tomb of Tutankhamun (c.1370-52 BC)

Luxor Museum Statue

RAMSES II TEMPLE, ABU SIMBLE, EGYPT

Egypt, Nubia, Nile, Abu Simbel, Great temple of Rameses II, statues of Ramses II

Relief with a Portrait of Pharaoh Thutmosis III (c.1504-1450 BC)     Luxor Museum of Ancient Art, Egypt

Egypt, Nubia, Abu Simbel, Great Temple of Ramses II

Satue of the pharaoh Ramesses II

Mask of Tutankhamen‘s

Nimrud in northern Iraq was once the capital of the Assyrian empire.

New Kingdom pharaoh Thutmosis inscriptions on rocks at the Nile’s Third Cataract record the ruler’s name and titles and celebrate his victory

ruins of columns, along with one restored to its full height, mark the entrance porch that King Taharqa added to the Great Temple of Amun at Karnak

Nubia was a major source of gold for ancient Egypt. At Thebes the tomb of King Tutankhamun’s viceroy to Nubia—a man named Huy—shows Nubian royalty in procession delivering rings of gold as part of their tribute to their overlord.

Centuries after Nubia lost control of Egypt, it continued to follow its neighbor’s tradition of marking royal tombs with pyramids, like these restored at Meroë. Today Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt.

The wooden figurine of a faithful servant from Nubia was laid to rest with Niankh-Pepi, a 6th dynasty chief of Upper Egypt, in his tomb at Meir.

Valley of the Kings

the ancient city of Palmyra, also known as Tadmor, was in existence as far back as the 19th century B.C. Its importance grew around 300 B.C. as trading caravans began using it as a way station between Mesopotamia and Persia.

Persia: Ancient Soul of Iran

Stairway, Persepolis, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iran, Middle East

Rements first pre-Islamic dynasty In IRAN

Relief frieze on the front of the eastern stairway of the Apadana (Audience Hall) c.515 BC

stonehedge

CITADEL OF BAM known as the "Tower of David,“ a landmark of the city since ancient times

Jerusalem, Israel

Templd Mound

JERSALEM, OVERVIEW OF OLD WALLED CITY

Temple of Karnak reflected in lake at sunset

Israel, Jerusalem, All Nations Church in Garden of Gethsemane Mary Magdalene Church at background

Masada was the mountain fortress constructed by King Herod that was occupied by Jewish rebels after the Jewish revolt in the first century.

Israel, Jerusalem, Kidron Valley, Tomb Of Absalom

Temple of the Greek Goddess Athena built in 5th Century BC

Ancient Ruins in Mykonos Greece

Ancient city of Troy