An atlas of Earth’s mysterious places — megaliths, pyramids, lost and sunken cities — with the evidence shown plainly: what is verified, what is contested, and what is still unknown.

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World Heritage capitals

3 places to sift through. Narrow by kind, country, period or how firmly each one is established — contested and pseudoarchaeological claims are labelled here, never hidden.

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Verified17 Widely accepted0 Contested0 Hypothetical0 Unverified0 Pseudoarchaeology0

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Fortresses

🇨🇳China

Capitals

UNESCO World Heritage

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✓VerifiedUNESCO

🇨🇳 China · Ancient city

Yinxu (Anyang) - Ruins of Yin

Shang · Shang (Late)

Yinxu (Anyang) - Ruins of Yin in Henan Province, China is a Shang ancient city attributed to Shang (Late) culture. Inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site (ID 1114).

✓VerifiedUNESCO

🇹🇷 Turkey · Ancient city

Hattusa

Hittite Empire (Middle Bronze Age to Late Bronze) · Hittite

Capital of Hittite Empire (1600–1180 BCE) with double walls 8 km, Lion Gate, Sphinx Gate, Great Temple and rock sanctuary Yazılıkaya with 90+ reliefs of gods. Archives of 30,000 cuneiform tablets.

✓VerifiedUNESCO

🇮🇷 Iran · Ancient city

Persepolis

Achaemenid · Persian Achaemenid

Ceremonial capital of Achaemenid Empire (515–330 BCE) with Apadana, Throne Hall, Treasury on terrace with relief of tribute bearers. Burned by Alexander 330 BCE, preserved by burial.