Archaeology Travel Guide Africa
Africa is anything but the ‘Dark Continent’. From some of the world’s oldest archaeological sites in East Africa to sites at the southern tip of Africa. With the longest record of human history, Africa is the cradle of humanity and culture. Extraordinary rock art traditions the length and breadth of the continent attest to cultures with complex systems of belief. In the north, from 11th century fortified villages in Morocco, to the ancient pyramids and temples of Egypt, with many Roman forts and cities in between, Africa’s architectural heritage is as diverse as it impressive. Different regions of Africa will appeal to different interests.
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From Alexander the Great to the Romans, from Napoleon and his scientific expeditions to Thomas Cook and his Nile Cruises, Egypt has been firing our imagination for centuries if not millennia. Whether it is the Pharaonic Abu Simbel in the south or the Ptolemaic Library of Alexandria in the north, the Red Sea coral reefs in the east or the oases amongst mammoth dunes of the White desert in the west, the possibilities for adventure are endless.
Asia is vast. Explorers and traders were not deterred as they established historic routes along which goods and ideas were exchanged for centuries. From the Great Wall created by the Ming Dynasty in the east, to the religious sanctuary of the Khmer Empire at Angkor Wat in the south east, to the city of Petra cut into the rock by the Nabataeans in the west. Asia has some of the most spellbinding sacred spaces and ancient wonders in the world. And there are many other places to explore that we don’t regularly hear about.
From caves that sheltered Europe’s earliest Hominin inhabitants to Ice Age cave art. From megalithic structures made by the continent’s first farmers to Iron Age hill forts. From temples and theatres made by the ancient Greeks and Romans to abbeys and churches that were built as organised religion spread across the continent. From Medieval battlefields to memorials commemorating two World Wars. Whatever your interests, there is something here for everyone.
Pastel coloured houses in the Bo Kaap area of Cape Town, the oldest surviving neighbourhood in the city. There are more buildings from before 1850 than in any other part of South Africa. From houses leased out to slaves, to Cape Georgian style houses that were much sought after during Cape Town’s economic boom period, to properties declared National Heritage Sites. Start exploring the area’s history at the Bo Kaap Museum, one of the earliest houses built for slaves.
Zimbabwe
South America is another New World continent. There is as much to experience here as there is on any of the other continents. From the citadel established by the Incas high in the mountains to the intriguing geoglyphs created in the Nazca Desert. Eighteenth century colonial towns, with their distinctive churches and central plazas, combine indigenous and foreign traditions. We are currently researching and putting together information for places to consider in South America. For notifications, sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
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