• 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
An Intact Roman Altar from the Theater of Savatra: Epigraphic and Iconographic Insights
Sep 8, 2025
An Intact Roman Altar from the Theater of Savatra: Epigraphic and Iconographic Insights
Sep 8, 2025
Read More →
Sep 8, 2025
ChatGPT Image 3 Σεπ 2025, 10_03_02 μ.μ..png
Sep 3, 2025
The Oldest Known Human Fossil that Blends Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal Species in Both Body and Brain
Sep 3, 2025
Read More →
Sep 3, 2025
imgi_76_aiguptos-arxaiothta-2 (1).jpg
Aug 31, 2025
New Exhibition in Alexandria: Unveiling the “Secrets of the Sunken City”
Aug 31, 2025
Read More →
Aug 31, 2025
imgi_1_New-Cyprus-Museum-Fereos-Architects1.jpg
Aug 31, 2025
Cyprus Builds an Archaeological Museum for the Future: The Vision Behind the New Cyprus Museum in Nicosia
Aug 31, 2025
Read More →
Aug 31, 2025
imgi_2_Excavations-at-Canhasan-3-Hoyuk (1).jpg
Aug 31, 2025
Archaeologists Discover One of the World’s Oldest Streets in Neolithic Anatolia, Nearly 10,000 Years Old
Aug 31, 2025
Read More →
Aug 31, 2025
imgi_3_timvos-kasta-mousio-maketo.png
Aug 29, 2025
Restoring the Glory of Amphipolis: The Kasta Tomb's Transformation into a Visitor-Focused Museum
Aug 29, 2025
Read More →
Aug 29, 2025
read more

Powered by The archaeologist