The following locations are steeped in history and fantastic places to visit as a result. These are our personal favourites – the top 7 oldest sites in the world.
Skara Brae, Scotland
A Neolithic settlement made of Stone, Skara Brae can be found in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. Inhabited roughly 5,000 years ago, the settlement consists of eight houses. It has been praised for its excellent preservation and the Neolithic village became a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of four in Scotland.
Jericho, Israel
The city of Jericho is one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet. Remains dating back 11,000 years have been unearthed by archaeologists. The city’s fallen walls are now a major tourist attraction. The nearby Mountain of Temptation is said to be where Jesus was tempted by the devil.
Cave of El Castillo, Spain
The Cave of El Castillo is home to the oldest cave art on the planet. Discovered in 1903, much of the works are hand stencils made by artists who blew paint onto the wall. The art goes back over 40,000 years, making it 5-10,000 years older than examples previously found in France.
Erbil Citadel, Iraq
The Citadel of Erbil is a historic city, said to be one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in the world. Its origins trace back to the 5th millennium BC. The walled settlement has been placed on the World Heritage List. The citadel is currently undergoing restoration and will house 50 families when work is complete.
Lascaux Caves, France
Situated in southwestern France, Lascaux Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discovered in 1940, the caves feature over 2,000 images of animals including horses and birds. The paintings are said to be 17,300 years old. The cave is now closed to the public due to an outbreak of mold caused by air conditioning and lights.
Burrup Peninsula, Australia
Burrup Peninsula or Murujuga, is a península in Western Australia. It is ecologically and archeologically unique since it is home to the largest collection of petroglyphs in the world. Some of these ancient Aboriginal rock carvings are said to date back to around 10,000 years ago. There is a collection of standing stones numbering over one million.
Aleppo, Syria
The largest city in Syria, Aleppo is one of the oldest cities in the world to have been continually inhabited. Its location at the end of the Silk Road is historically significant. The ancient city with its medieval architecture is fascinating to explore. However the Syrian Civil War has sadly resulted in a great deal of destruction.
