Ever wondered how much of human history still remains to be explored? There is a lot! So many lost cities, myths and legends point to the fact that the human civilization was so much more than what we think it is. From the ruins of Machu Picchu to the Stonehenge, take your pick, archeologists and historians are still debating what exactly these places were all about and where their technically sound builders suddenly vanished. Now indulge me here, but wouldn’t going to one of these places make for an ideal vacation? Granted it won’t exactly be pampering relaxation, but getting to touch an element of human history is sure to be rewarding in its own right. Here are some of the places which were lost to the sands of time:

Troy, Turkey

Once thought to be as fabled as the lost continent of Atlantis, the legend of Troy was given some historical perspective thanks to the works of Heinrich Schliemann who was a German businessman and a pioneering archeologist. Schliemann was quite the fringe scientist of his day and propounded radical theories which were rejected by most of his contemporaries. His crowning glory was the excavations he conducted in Asian Minor (present day Turkey) circa 1870 which provided the first set of proofs that Troy might have actually existed. Before his work, the only evidence of Troy was the Greek poet Homer’s epic Iliad which narrated upon the splendor of Troy, its huge walls and the Greek invasion which lasted 10 years and left the place in ruins. Troy is today open for tourists and if you ever plan on visiting Turkey, be sure to include an excursion to it.

Nazca Lines, Peru

The Nazca lines are located in the Nazca desert in Southern Peru. The lines themselves refer to a collection of geoglyphs which represent a variety of plants and animals such as spiders, birds, fish, jaguar, monkey and human figures. The strangest part is that you cannot really make out the shape if you are standing on ground; the only way to recognize the faces is if you are in the air, high above the desert. The lines are said to date back to 500 BC and no one has as of yet conclusively determined as to why the ancient Peruvians built them. Theories range from the lines representing constellations to works executed so that the gods could see them.

Stonehenge, England

A very intriguing collection of obelisks, the Stonehenge has been the object of intense scrutiny by archeologists, historians, anthropologists and conspiracy theorists alike. The Stonehenge is thought to have been built around 5000 years back over a period of 700 years. Its builders were most probably farmers and druids, however no one really knows why they built the place; was it for burial, a winter solstice monument or for conducting occult rituals? Who knows really…

Teotihuacan, Mexico

Found just 50 kilometers north-east of Mexico city, Teotihuacan was one of the largest and most thriving cities of the ancient world. No one knows who built it, or for that matter why did its inhabitants suddenly decide to abandon it about 1400 years back. Its present name – Teotihuacan means “the place where the gods were created” and was given by Aztec pilgrims who made regular homage to the place. Teotihuacan itself is a huge complex of pyramids and residential buildings spanning nearly 20 square kilometers; in its prime it supported about 100,000 persons who lived in apartment like structures. Teotihuacan’s most impressive feature is the “Avenue of the Dead” which is the city’s main street and consists of 3 major pyramid complexes.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Located in the Cusco region of Peru, Machu Picchu draws tourists like no other place. The city was made by the Incas as a military stronghold and a retreat for the ruling elite and is on an elevation of 7,970 feet above sea level which in itself points to the profound mastery the ancients had. What is even more impressive is that the buildings are made out of massive stones which would have been a challenge to move on those heights and have been put together so well without mortar that even a knife blade cannot slip between them. Machu Picchu was abandoned sometime around 1550 when the Spanish conquistadors invaded, however it was only known to the world in 1911.

These are some of the most famous “lost worlds” which still exist; there are no doubt more but the cities mentioned here are the most debated and intriguing. I for one will most definitely like to pay them a visit someday and see them in their awesome beauty!