Masada

Masada fortress. Double fortification wall around the plateau is well visible

Dramatic fortress/ refuge on top of table mountain, constructed in 37 – 31 BC, taken by Romans simultaneously with the mass suicide of 960 defenders in 73 AD. Here are located remnants of one of the world’s oldest synagogues.

Merv

Ruins of Merv, Turkmenistan

Once magnificent oasis city on Silk Road. The settlement was established in the 3rd millennium BC but flourished in the 8th century – 1221 when it briefly was one of the largest cities worldwide. Today are seen remnants of four-walled cities close to each other. Today are seen remnants of several walled citadels close to each other – Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala, and the medieval Sultan Kala.

Mahasthangarh

Ruins of Mahasthangarh, Bangladesh

Ruins of the ancient capital of Pundravardhana. This city was founded in the 3rd century BC or earlier. Now remain impressive fortifications that were in the use until the 18th century AD as well as hundreds of mounds with remnants of ancient structures. Walls of the city enclose an area 1,523 m by 1,371 m large. Ramparts are 11 – 13 m tall.

Karahunj (Zorats Karer)

One side of Karahunj stone circle, with the central stone cyst seen in the left side, Armenia

Megalithic necropolis from the 3rd – 2nd millenia BC (?). Contains a ring of upright stones. Some 223 stone tombs are here, from the Middle Bronze Age to Iron Age. Many stones have holes in them and there is a hypothesis that these holes were used in ancient astronomy.

Østerlars Church, Bornholm

Østerlars Church, Bornholm

Largest of the four round churches in Bornholm. Constructed in Romanesque style around 1160, served also as a fortification. The enormous central column is adorned with medieval frescoes. Round churches of Bornholm are subject to modern legends about Templars and Holy Grail.

Morongo Uta

One of hilltop fortreses in Rapa Iti, Morongo Uta

One of the most impressive inland fortifications in Rapa Iti, built around 1500 AD on the top of 258 m high mountain. This small island has 13 – 14 prehistoric mountaintop fortifications.

Nusa Roviana hillfort and shrines

Nusa Roviana shrine, Solomon Islands

Impressive settlement complex – 600 m long hillfort with 3 m high, 2 m wide, and 500 m long wall made of stone rubble. Here are located 13 skull shrines filled with skulls of deceased chiefs. A small terraced area in the highest place of the island contains a legendary shrine – Tiola or dog shrine with a stone carving – dog’s head. The fortress was destroyed in 1892.

Sungbo’s Eredo

The wall of Sungbo's Eredo ditch, Nigeria

160 km long ring-wall enclosing ancient land of Sungbo. Built sometimes around 1000 AD by local culture.

Gorakhgad hill fort

Gorakhgad cliff, Maharashtra

A nearly inaccessible medieval Maratha hill fort with remnants of fortifications, rock-cut steps.

Ankai-Tankai hill forts

Impressive medieval hill forts on the plateaus of two table-top mountains. Remnants of fortifications, palace, temples, water tanks.