Archaeological Destinations to Visit in the Middle East

​The Middle East is home to some of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. Many of these sites attract thousands of tourists from across the globe every year. Because it is rich in history and culture, the Middle East is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves history and would love to explore the archaeological elements.

One of the most famous archaeological centers in the Middle East is the Pyramids of Giza. The pyramids are situated on the west bank of the Nile River, on a plateau known as the Giza Plateau. These pyramids were built in the 25th century BC, approximately between 2480 and 2550 BC. The largest and oldest pyramid on the Giza plateau is the Khufu. This pyramid comprises approximately 23 million stone blocks that weigh 2.5 tons each, and it took over 3800 years to build. In addition to the Pyramids of Giza, the Giza plateau is also home to the tombs of the kings of the Fourth Dynasty and the Sphinx, a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. The sphinx is usually described as the guardian of the plateau.

Further, located off the Mediterranean Sea on the topmost tip of Africa, Carthage is one of the most ancient cities in the world. Today, the city of Carthage is 15 kilometers from Tunis, the modern capital of Tunisia. Carthage was so powerful it built an empire that encompassed a huge swath of the western Mediterranean Sea. Today, the city of Carthage is home to some of the most fascinating archaeological museums with Carthage and Roman artifacts. Similarly, the Roman Houses Quarter contains several aristocratic monuments and buildings that the Romans constructed during their occupation of the city. The Roman theater of Carthage is famous to tourists for its semi-circular runways and its overall architectural beauty.

Also, Baylon is an archaeologically rich city that will fascinate travelers. Babylon was one of the most populated cities in ancient times. Among other things, the city is famous for its hanging gardens, the Ishtar Gate, and the Tower of Babel. All of these monuments are listed as ancient wonders of the world. Babylon was at the core of the success of ancient Mesopotamia, and it facilitated Babylonian trading and transport. Over time, the city of Babylon fell into ruins, and it is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated near Baghdad in Iraq.

About 2,000 years old, Petra is one of the most ancient cities in the Middle East and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and mountains. Petra houses some of the most fascinating architectural materials in the kingdom of Jordan and was named one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Some of the most fascinating elements of the city are its elaborate caved-in pink rocks. This architecture is symbolic of the various ancient civilizations that traded in and occupied Petra. Tourists often consider the monastery as the most fascinating of Petra’s rock-cut buildings. The monastery is also the largest carved mountain in the city. Another heavily visited site is the Nabataean Theater.

Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, there is a remote settlement named Hegra or Mada’in Saleh, which is about a thousand years old. Hegra was the second city of the Nabataean civilization after their capital city, Petra, in Jordan. It was an important trading post, connecting to several important trading routes around the Arabian peninsula. The city is home to 110 ancient tombs and inscriptions that are symbolic of the Nabataean artistic abilities. It is also the first Saudi Arabian destination to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Joel Bartsch

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