Historic and Ancient Ruins V Trivia Quiz

Answer: New Mexico

Many Pueblos were found in the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Pueblo Bonito was a big house which had 650 rooms and could have housed several thousand people. Despite its size, only a relatively small number lived there. Excavated burial mounds revealed people buried with great riches. This pattern was repeated at many great houses, contrasting with those living in smaller houses (small houses but many people).

Pottery, turquoise, copper bells, macaw feathers, seashells, copper bells and other archaeological remains were also excavated. This revealed the vastness of trade that the ancient Pueblos had participated in.

Answer: Mauritania

Chinguetti served as gathering point for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca. It was also an alternative religious site for those unable to perform their pilgrimage. Thus, it became an important Islamic centre of learning. The discovery of sea routes reaching West African coasts by the Portuguese and the setting up of European trading posts known as "factories" caused the trans-Saharan trade routes to decline.

Answer: Olympia

Ancient Olympics were important in the Ancient Greek world. A truce was carried out in times of war when the Olympics were held. Men from all over Greece came to watch. However, women were not allowed to watch save for a priestess, who watched from the temple dedicated to Demeter in the eastern side of the stadium. In 394 AD, the Ancient Olympics were abolished by Emperor Theodosius I for being paganistic.

The Temple of Zeus, built in Olympia in 470 BC, housed the 12 metre-tall Statue of Zeus that was constructed by Phidias. The workshop he used during the construction of the statue was discovered in Olympia in 1954 AD.

Answer: Saturnia

The springs located in Saturnia were said to be created by the god Saturn to punish people for their incessant wars, hence its name 'Saturnia'. During ancient times, the Romans would come to enjoy the therapeutic qualities of the springs. The springs were immersed with sulphuric components, and the air enveloped with gases beneficial to the respiratory and skeletal systems. However, medieval legends claimed that the springs were exits for demons from Hell, and this was used to explain its pungent sulphurous smells. Porta Romana, of Etruscan origins, could be seen there. Also, Castellum Aquarum was built by Romans to be used as a cistern. The Saint Maria Maddalena Church was built during the Middle Ages and could be seen at Saturnia as well.

Reference: www.lavalentinanuova.com/en/saturnia.php

Answer: Arwad

Located three km off the coast of Tartus was the island fortress of Arwad. Founded by Phoenicians, it covers an area of about 20 ha and is the only inhabited island in Syria.

Qalawan, Khalil's father, had conquered much of the Crusader states. He died in 1290. Khalil took over, attacked and conquered Acre in 1291 AD. The Knights Templar were driven back to Tortosa, and soon moved off towards Cyprus. Only the island fortress at Arwad was left in the Holy Land by end of 13th century AD. Back in Europe in the early 1300s, the Knights Templar disbanded after being arrested by King Philip and subsequently confessed to the charges of heresy.

Answer: Ecbatana

According to Herodotus, Ecbatana was chosen as the capital of the Median Empire during the 8th century BC by Deioces. The Lion of Hamadan was excavated in Ecbatana. Legends described that rubbing the monument with oil would make a bride fertile. The Lion of Hamadan was reputedly a monument built by Alexander the Great to mourn for Hephaestion's death.

The Golden Rhyton was also excavated in the city, which was made in the shape of animals' heads and was used for drinking.

Answer: Pasargadae

Persian gardens were famous in ancient times. Excavations in Pasargadae revealed a central fountain feeding four rivers, which divided the garden equally into four parts. The beauty of Paradiasia became known to other cultures and the word "Paradiasia" in Old Persian became known as "Paradise" in Greek. One enduring achievement of Cyrus the Great was the Cyrus Cylinder, which some people claimed was "the world's first declaration of human rights". A replica of the Cyrus Cylinder was placed in the UN headquarters, New York.

Reference: "The Persian Empire"(youtube.com)

Answer: Malta

Situated on the island of Gozo in Malta, the inhabitants were believed to have crossed over from Sicily. Ggantija in the Maltese language means "belonging to the giants". Legends in Gozo described Ggantija as being built and used by the giants as watchtowers.

Leaving no written sources, much of what we knew about Ggantija is through the study of the excavation site. Believed to be constructed as a religious site to worship fertility goddesses, Ggantija had clover-shaped buildings personifying the maternal curve. However, around 2500 BC the site was abandoned, possibly due to famine or disease.

Answer: Austria

Carnuntum was situated South of Danube along a border defence system in ancient Rome, known as the Limes. Initially, Carnuntum started as an army camp to defend Rome's Northern frontier. However, its strategic location along the Amber Road led to its expansion as traders and other settlers migrated into the region.

It soon grew to become an important commercial hub. However, it was conquered and destroyed by the Goths in 5th century BC.

Answer: Argentina

Pucará de Tilcara was an interesting settlement that brought history back to life. Keeping past rituals, religious beliefs, music, festivals and even farming techniques alive, it was as if the daily interactions and routines of the ancient inhabitants had never ceased. Annually on 21st June, a festival known as Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) was celebrated, marking the beginning of the winter solstice.

As Quebrada de Humahuaca in prehistoric times had been an important junction of trade and cultural exchange, it continued through the colonial stages, with Hispanic settlements located in the area.