• MAIN PAGE
  • LATEST NEWS
    • Lost Cities
    • Archaeology's Greatest Finds
    • Underwater Discoveries
    • Greatest Inventions
    • Studies
    • Blog
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • HISTORY
  • RELIGIONS
    • Africa
    • Anatolia
    • Arabian Peninsula
    • Balkan Region
    • China - East Asia
    • Europe
    • Eurasian Steppe
    • Levant
    • Mesopotamia
    • Oceania - SE Asia
    • Pre-Columbian Civilizations of America
    • Iranian Plateau - Central Asia
    • Indus Valley - South Asia
    • Japan
    • The Archaeologist Editor Group
    • Scientific Studies
    • Aegean Prehistory
    • Historical Period
    • Byzantine Middle Ages
    • Predynastic Period
    • Dynastic Period
    • Greco-Roman Egypt
  • Rome
  • PALEONTOLOGY
  • About us
Menu

The Archaeologist

  • MAIN PAGE
  • LATEST NEWS
  • DISCOVERIES
    • Lost Cities
    • Archaeology's Greatest Finds
    • Underwater Discoveries
    • Greatest Inventions
    • Studies
    • Blog
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • HISTORY
  • RELIGIONS
  • World Civilizations
    • Africa
    • Anatolia
    • Arabian Peninsula
    • Balkan Region
    • China - East Asia
    • Europe
    • Eurasian Steppe
    • Levant
    • Mesopotamia
    • Oceania - SE Asia
    • Pre-Columbian Civilizations of America
    • Iranian Plateau - Central Asia
    • Indus Valley - South Asia
    • Japan
    • The Archaeologist Editor Group
    • Scientific Studies
  • GREECE
    • Aegean Prehistory
    • Historical Period
    • Byzantine Middle Ages
  • Egypt
    • Predynastic Period
    • Dynastic Period
    • Greco-Roman Egypt
  • Rome
  • PALEONTOLOGY
  • About us

Sigiriya was built in the fifth century AD. and means 'lion’s rock'

(Image: Getty Images)

The sprawling metropolis constructed on a large rock was described as a lost city built with sophisticated technology

April 16, 2024

Discover the enigmatic marvel of Sigiriya, an ancient metropolis perched atop a colossal rock in Sri Lanka. Archeologists remain astounded by its sprawling ruins, pondering the utilization of advanced technology in its construction.

Sigiriya, often dubbed the 'Lion's Rock', boasts a labyrinth of galleries and staircases leading to its summit, where the remnants of King Kassapa's capital stand proudly. The granite peak, rising 180 meters high, offers a vantage point veiled in jungle, a testament to the architectural prowess of its creators.

This architectural wonder, hailed as the 8th wonder of the world, entices thousands of tourists annually, drawing them to explore its ancient palace and fortress. Carved into the slopes of an extinct volcano, Sigiriya stands elevated, its rocky plateau towering above the surrounding forest.

The site's allure extends beyond its sheer magnitude, with frescoes adorning its western walls, offering a glimpse into the past. Among them, an iconic depiction of a woman, believed to be Kassapa's wife or a priestess, evokes intrigue and admiration for its historical significance.

The ruins contain many frescoes, a brick lion and mirrored walls (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Yet, perhaps the most captivating feature lies within its mirrored walls, reflecting not just the king's image but also the echoes of a bygone era. Inscribed with ancient poems and scripts dating back centuries, they echo the voices of past visitors, affirming Sigiriya's status as a timeless tourist destination.

← Stone carvings discovered within the caves of China's Longmen GrottoesUnveiling Viking Women's Cranial Mysteries: The Enigmatic Legacy of Skull Modification →
Featured
image_2025-06-09_233126261.png
Jun 9, 2025
The Ancient Greek Necropolis Discovered Beneath Naples
Jun 9, 2025
Read More →
Jun 9, 2025
image_2025-06-09_224218613.png
Jun 9, 2025
History Buff Discovers Lost Medieval Monastery in Sweden — The Mysterious Symbol on a Map That Led to a One-of-a-Kind Find
Jun 9, 2025
Read More →
Jun 9, 2025
image_2025-06-08_201906478.png
Jun 8, 2025
Parthenon Marbles: British Museum Opens Door to Potential Loan to Greece
Jun 8, 2025
Read More →
Jun 8, 2025
image_2025-06-08_201557251.png
Jun 8, 2025
Revelations at the Dromolaxia Necropolis: Rare Tombs and Treasures from the Late Bronze Age
Jun 8, 2025
Read More →
Jun 8, 2025
Seal-impressions-THS-1-THS-2-Credit-Konstantinos-Sbonias-Vasiliki-Papazikou-side (1).jpg
Jun 7, 2025
Therasia’s 4,500-Year-Old Seal Impressions: The Earliest Known Form of Writing in the Aegean?
Jun 7, 2025
Read More →
Jun 7, 2025
IMG_8822.jpg
Jun 5, 2025
Tromelin Island: The Forgotten Story of Slavery, Survival, and Resilience in the Indian Ocean
Jun 5, 2025
Read More →
Jun 5, 2025
read more

Powered by The archaeologist