There are thousands of wonders in the world
Wondermondo is a unique site about the wonders of the world. Here are descriptions of 1 814 wonders of the world (see here – what is a wonder). In articles are listed approximately 10 000 more.
News about the wonders
Discovered the tallest tree in Tibet
May 18, 2022
Chinese scientists have discovered the tallest known fir and the tallest tree in Tiber. This Salween fir (Abies ernestii var. salouenensis) was found in Zayu county and its height after multiple measurements from drones is 83.2 m.
More: 83.2 meters! China’s tallest tree discovered in Tibet, Ecns.cn. May 20, 2022.
Natural rock towers are swaying and vibrating
February 18, 2022
Published results of an unusual research that required climbing of the majestic rock towers in the Valley of the Gods in Utah, United States. Such tall rock towers experience bending, twisting and other types of movements due to wind, earthquakes and other events – similar to trees or tall buildings.
More: Ambient Vibration Modal Analysis of Natural Rock Towers and Fins, Seismological Research Letters (2022). February 16, 2022.
Remnants of the earliest known modern humans in Europe discovered in France
February 10, 2022
In Mandrin Grotto (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France) have been discovered the oldest known remnants of Homo sapiens in Europe (besides some amazing finds from Greece). Teeth of seven people and several stone tools were left there sometimes between 56,800 and 51,700 years ago – 12 thousand years earlier than known thus far. At that time humans there were living among Neanderthals – in fact in this same grotto afterward lived also Neanderthals!
More: Modern human incursion into Neanderthal territories 54,000 years ago at Mandrin, France, Science Advances. February 9, 2022.
Discovered ancient animal with the oldest known gills of modern arthropods
February 9, 2022
In the famous Chengjiang Fossil Site (China, Yunnan) has been discovered a fossil of some 520 million years old sea creature named Erratus sprerare. This prehistoric arthropod is a kind of the missing link between the more primitive breathing creatures and modern arthropods who have biramous limbs: legs with breathing organs – gills – on them.
More: 520-Million-Year-Old Fossil Sheds Light on Origin of Gills in Arthropods, Sci-News. February 8, 2022.
Cesvaine palace opens doors after 20 years of reconstruction
February 9, 2022
Cesvaine Palace (Latvia) will reopen after 20 years of rebuilding and restoration. This palace was constructed in 1893 – 1896 and was ravaged by fire in 2002.
More: Eng.lsm.lv, February 8, 2022.
One of the oldest Buddhist temples discovered
February 4, 2022
Italian archaeologists have found remnants of one of the oldest Buddhist temples near the center of Barikot City in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This temple was built in the 3rd century BC when there was an unusual Indo-Greek kingdom. Archaeological excavations in Barikot are ongoing for several decades already, uncovering amazing finds about the enlightened kingdom that had much influence also from the Macedonian conquests by Alexander.
More: Tom Metcalfe, India’s Extravagant Lal Bagh Palace is Restored to its Former Glory, LiveScience, February 3 2022.
Lalbagh Palace in Indore, India is restored
January 18, 2022
The extensive restoration of Lalbagh Palace in Indore has been accomplished. This large palace was built comparatively late: it was completed only in 1926. Owners – the once-influential Holkar Family – lived there until 1978 but since then the palace fell into disrepair, the second floor was disfigured by fire. Now the building with its ornate interiors has been renovated thanks to financing from diverse public funds and the meticulous work of restorers.
More: India’s Extravagant Lal Bagh Palace is Restored to its Former Glory, Architectural Digest, January 14 2022.
Update about the prehistoric stone settings in the north-western Saudi Arabia
January 18, 2022
Interesting update over the extensive research of amazing, little known archaeological monuments – the incredibly complex stone settings that were created millennia ago in the deserts of the Middle East. Researchers have identified and analysed 164,600 suspected archaeological features in the north-western part of Saudi Arabia!
Image shows related structure that, most likely, is located in Israel.
More: The Middle Holocene ‘funerary avenues’ of north-west Arabia, Holocene, Dec 2021.
Tourist infrastructure endangers the beauty of Mirusha Waterfalls
January 11, 2022
The beauty of one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in Kosovo is endangered by the development of the infrastructure for mass tourism. Through the forest towards the falls is built 10-15 meters wide road and electrical networks.
More: Prishtina Insight
Sakaro Sodo megaliths are approximately 2000 years old
January 11, 2022
Archaeological research in Sakaro Sodo site (southern Ethiopia) shows that these impressive megaliths were emplaced here approximately 2000 years ago. Earlier it was considered that megaliths here were created much more recently – around the 12th century AD.
Vikings arrived in Newfoundland in 1021 AD
October 20, 2021
Earlier it was estimated that the only confirmed Viking site in the Canada – L’Anse aux Meadow in Newfoundland – was founded around 950 – 1050 AD. Now the precise year of its founding is known – it is 1021. This has been found out through the modern analysis of the content of radiocarbon in the samples.
More: Nature
Latest articles
The 100.2 m tall Sitka Spruce
June 26, 2022
An amazing find in 2021 was the tallest Sitka spruce in the world. This tree is located in an undisclosed location and is 100.2 m tall!
Florence Court Yew
June 26, 2022
One of the world’s most popular garden conifers is Irish Yew – Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’. And there is one “father” to all of them: Florence Court Yew. All Irish yews around the world originate from the saplings of this tree.
Te Kopia Mud Geyser
June 26, 2022
Geysers are very rare but mud geysers are even rarer. Te Kopia Mud Geyser is one of the most prominent examples of these natural landmarks. During the periods of activity, it ejects a fountain of muddy water that is some 3-10 m high.
Sipi Falls
June 25, 2022
A cascade of three tall waterfalls on Sipi River. The lower cascade is some 95-100 m tall, the middle: 69-74 m tall, and the upper: 87 m tall.
Castles
June 23, 2022
This category includes fortified buildings – houses of influential and rich people. Castles were developed in every part of the world where people have a settled life and powerful individuals among them.
Rainbow Springs
May 30, 2022
One of the most powerful springs in Florida is Rainbow Springs. This giant spring system emits some 19 650 liters of clear water every second, creating a large river.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
May 29, 2022
The main church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and, possibly, the oldest cathedral in the world is Etchmiadzin Cathedral. The first church there was built in 301-303 AD.
Palaces and country houses
May 19, 2022
This category includes palaces: impressive residences of important and/or affluent persons.
Riga Cathedral
May 10, 2022
Riga Cathedral is the largest medieval church in the Baltics and the most important church in Riga.
Biological wonders
April 28, 2022
This is a kind of super-category where are included all locations of the world with unusual living nature or, at least, traces of the former life.
