• 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
1000008257.jpg
Oct 23, 2025
Archaeologists Discover 'Perfectly Preserved' 70-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Egg in Argentina
Oct 23, 2025
Read More →
Oct 23, 2025
hq720.jpg
Oct 20, 2025
Louvre museum robbery: how the thieves broke in, what they stole and what happens next
Oct 20, 2025
Read More →
Oct 20, 2025
imgi_254_maxresdefault (1).jpg
Oct 18, 2025
“Who’s Afraid of the Ancient Greeks?” – A Defense of Greek Civilization from MMC Brussels
Oct 18, 2025
Read More →
Oct 18, 2025
The Clay Hives of Al-Kharfi: Bees, Survival, and Innovation in the Desert
Oct 12, 2025
The Clay Hives of Al-Kharfi: Bees, Survival, and Innovation in the Desert
Oct 12, 2025
Read More →
Oct 12, 2025
558461169_1330929682022932_5965818260055086871_nd.jpg
Oct 12, 2025
Ancient Wheels Without Wheels: Travois Tracks at White Sands Rewriting Transport History
Oct 12, 2025
Read More →
Oct 12, 2025
imgi_44_jacek-ukowski-and-katarzyna-herdzik-768x576 (1).jpg
Oct 10, 2025
Ancient Ritual Knife Unearthed on Poland’s Baltic Coast After a Storm?
Oct 10, 2025
Read More →
Oct 10, 2025
read more

Powered by The archaeologist