Kyle. Ruins. Everything! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Machu Picchu

Although all of the selections are ruins created by the Incans in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, Machu Picchu, one of the alleged New Seven Wonders of the World, is perhaps the most famous in all of South America and it's the first stop on your and Kyle's ruined tour.

Kyle does want to ride the llamas, no doubt, and there are some to be found-- Machu Picchu, although 2,430 meters up into the Andes, is in the highest reaches of Peru and wild and tame llamas are definitely at home in the area. They don't overrun the place though-- the site, once an Emperor's home built back in the 1450s, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well-maintained by archaeologists and Peruvian officials alike. It fell after only a century of use and was rediscovered, perched high up near the city of Cusco, in the 19th century. Restoration continues to this day.

Answer: Babylon

South of Baghdad near the town of Hillah, Iraq, you can visit the ancient ruins of Babylon, one of the great ancient Mesopotamian locales and one of the former sites of a Wonder of the World-- the Hanging Gardens-- which, at one point, were allegedly grown there by King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 4th century B.C., though this is debated by scholars and archaeologists.

While Kyle won't need to worry about pollen he will need to worry about sand-- the ruins, situated on the Euphrates River, are little more than preserved mounds and rudimentary structures. Over the years, human interaction with the site, especially during the Presidency of Saddam Hussein and the War on Terror, has caused irreparable damage. Nonetheless, ongoing efforts to preserve the site have been underway, possibly to (partially) rebuild it.

Answer: The Colosseum

Well for one, Joaquin Phoenix was only in that "Gladiator" movie. For two, battles haven't been held in the Colosseum since the sixth century AD. Since that time, the landmark has been used as a castle, a site for entertainment, a religious monument, and a tourist destination. Although a great deal of these ancient ruins are no longer attached (considering the earthquakes and centuries of wearing away), it is perhaps one of Italy's most well-known locations (along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa).

Now, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 'New Seven Wonders', the Colosseum is a major site for restorative efforts to keep it intact for years to come in one of Italy's largest and most-visited destinations.

Answer: Tikal

Tikal is the only one of the three choices in Guatemala; the others are actually Aztec city-states found in Mexico. Tikal, meanwhile, was a hub for the Mayan civilization and is considered, to this day, to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Central America. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since the organization's second year of inductions (1979), Tikal's history is extensive. While certain sites are well-maintained, others were burnt down by the Mayans centuries ago. It collapsed in the ninth century AD and was 'rediscovered' by visitors in the mid-19th century.

Kyle is disappointed about the solstice, mainly because of the way the temples are aligned. Due to the way the Mayans used their astronomical know-how to construct the city, the solstices and equinoxes align with the sunrise and sunset in unique ways on said days; in modern times, celebrations are held on these events.

Answer: Chichen Itza

Snakes? Around here? Kyle's referring to a unique quality built into the side of this Mayan step pyramid. When Spring Equinox is upon Mexico, the stairs of the pyramid, from one angle, light up to depict a giant snake sliding down the side. Once again, the Mayans and their astronomy shine through!

But Chichen Itza isn't all about snakes. Another UNESCO Heritage Site, Chichen Itza was used by the Mayans until its collapse in the 13th century AD. It was seized by the Spanish and, for years, remained relatively unused until excavations in the late 19th and early 20th century when it was discovered to be one of the Mayan Empire's largest cities. It remains one of Mexico's most visited landmarks, especially since its location in the sunny, tourist-heavy Yucatán Peninsula allows for easy tours.

Answer: The Parthenon

Built atop the Acropolis in Athens, the Hellenic capital city, this structure was constructed in the fifth century B.C. as a tribute to the goddess Athena (for which the city was also named). One of the most famous Greek structures, the landmark is constantly under reconstruction to ensure that it survives for ages to come despite human interaction. Like many sites in Rome, Athens' landmarks are also highly-visited and highly-polluted. It stood strong until the seventeenth century at which point the Turks filled it with gunpowder which, of course, sparked during a battle with the Venetians.

How do you like them olives, Kyle?
(To be fair, Kyle really doesn't like olives.)

Answer: Pompeii

Although many cities on Sicily are in frequent emergencies living in the shadows of major active volcanoes, Pompeii, further north in Italy, is one of the most famous instances in which an ancient city has been decimated due to its proximity, in this case to Mount Vesuvius. While the city was built in the BC era due to its fertile soil (since it WAS next to a volcano), later years were plagued by extensive earthquakes which destroyed many of the structures in the once-prosperous city. In 79 AD, however, its citizens were killed by the intense heat, ash, and volcanic eruptions nearby, burying the city. It was rediscovered at the turn of the sixteenth century and excavated.

To be fair though, it's hardly a ghost town. As one of Italy's non-Roman go-to landmarks, it's often filled with tourists. Luckily the upkeep of the ruins and constant efforts to preserve the ruins are sponsored in part by UNESCO, who made it a World Heritage Site in 1997. Oh yeah, and it's only nine kilometers away from Naples, Italy.

Answer: Dungeness Mansion

Dungeness Mansion is a unique and obscure mansion found in Georgia and it has quite the history. Used as a headquarters during the War of 1812, as a luxurious manor home for the Carnegies in the late 19th-century, and finally as a tourist spot following its suspected arson in 1959, Dungeness was once glorious and expansive, even containing a large servant's quarters on the property. Since its destruction (not by crabs; by fire), it has become a U.S. National Historic Place. Before it was burnt down it was the epitome of 1920s wealth and, of course, it was abandoned during the Great Depression. Ah well.

Answer: Nan Madol

Nan Madol, while it appears to be nothing more than piles of stones at this point, was actually once a series Micronesian villages ruled over by powerful local chieftains. Built in the 12th century, Nan Madol was considered the Venice of the Pacific since its structures were reached by navigating narrow canals through the area.

The site is now a U.S. National Historic Landmark. Kyle's likely intrigued because of its connection to H. P. Lovecraft; the location (and Pohnpei Island) is used as the basis of R'lyeh, the Sunken City in "The Call of Cthulhu". Is he trying to get you killed?!

Answer: Holyrood Abbey

No matter how much complaining Kyle does, it won't take away from the majesty of Holyrood Abbey on the grounds of the Palace of Holyrood on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Used by Scottish Kings and Queens as a religious, political, and residential site for many, many years, the site lost its roof structure to poor masonry and rebellions.

After desecration and destruction ensued in the eighteenth century, it remained without a roof up until the present day. Now it stands as a protected monument and key landmark in several monarchies.

It is the burial site for many Kings and the birthplace of at least one.