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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Human civilization evolves through time. However, many remnants of ancient civilizations still exist today. Despite having occurred thousands of years ago, people nowadays can still witness the remains of ancient civilizations, one of which is through the ruins of ancient temples.
Apart from providing a glimpse into the past, these ancient temples once had specific functions, namely as places of worship. Some have transformed into historical sites that should not be disturbed, while others are still in use today.
Below are some of the oldest temples in the world, from Gobekli Tepe in Turkey to Gangoji Temple in Japan.
List of the Oldest Temples in the World
1. Gobekli Tepe
Initially thought to be a medieval burial site, German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt stated that Gobekli Tepe is the oldest known temple in the world. As reported by Architectural Digest, the temple was built around 10,000 BC. Located in southeastern Turkey, the temple complex features 5.5-meter tall T-shaped stone pillars with carvings of wild animals such as snakes, foxes, and wild boars.
2. Hatshepsut Temple
The Hatshepsut Temple is known to have been built around 1470 BC during the reign of a female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. True to its name, the temple located on the west bank of the Nile River functioned as a place of worship for the pharaoh following her death. Moreover, people of that time also worshipped other Egyptian deities, such as Hathor and Amun, here.
3. Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni
The Hypogeum in Paola, Malta, was first discovered in 1902. However, this historic site has actually been around since 2500 BC. Unlike other temples, this UNESCO World Heritage site was built underground-fitting to its name in Greek, which means 'underground'.
The Hypogeum contains red ochre paintings, trilithons (stone doorways), false windows, and corbelled stone ceiling accents.
4. Ggantija
In addition to the Hypogeum, Malta also boasts another of the world's oldest temples called Ggantija. Local legend suggests that the temple was built by giants, hence the name-ggantija means 'giant tower' in the local language.
In the past, this site, which is about 5,500 years old, was a location for fertility cults. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
5. Karnak Temple Complex
Another one of the oldest temples in the world is the Karnak Temple Complex located in ancient Thebes, now modern-day Luxor. Karnak, believed to have been built 2,000 to 4,000 years ago, was a dedicated temple for worshipping Amun-Ra, an important deity closely associated with Thebes. The temple saw new structural additions as rulers changed.
6. Ziggurat of Ur
Existing for over 4,000 years, the Ziggurat of Ur, standing 30 meters tall in Iraq, initially served as a temple to worship the Mesopotamian moon god, Nanna. The historical structure was built by King Ur-Nammu, but in the 1980s, Saddam Hussein decided to reconstruct it. The site has been closed to the public since 2003.
7. Temple of Artemis
Named after the ancient Greek goddess associated with hunting, the Temple of Artemis is known to have been standing since 550 BC. Built by Croesus, a king of Lydia, the temple located in Ephesus, western Turkey, has suffered a series of damages due to, among other things, fire (in 356 BC) and earthquakes (in 262 AD).
8. Angkor Wat
Meaning 'City of Temples', Angkor Wat is one of the oldest temples in the world still actively used today. Built between 1113 and 1150 AD, this temple complex originally had a Hindu influence and was dedicated to the god Vishnu. However, in the 14th century, Angkor Wat was transformed into a Buddhist temple, marked by the addition of Buddha statues inside.
Now, according to Britannica, Angkor Wat, located in the ancient city of Angkor, is a must-visit tourist destination in Cambodia. More than that, the temple is an important pilgrimage site, especially for Buddhist followers, in the Southeast Asia region.
9. Mahabodhi Temple
Not only Angkor Wat, the Mahabodhi Temple is also still active today. As one of the oldest brick temples in all of India, it has been a destination for pilgrims from around the world to offer prayers, perform religious ceremonies, and meditate.
It is worth noting that the Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, northeastern India, has been standing for 1,500 years. The temple is believed to be the location of Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment.
10. Gangoji Temple
The Gangoji Temple is believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, estimated to be 1,300 years old. According to Japan Travel, it was built in the 7th century upon the order of Soga no Umako.
After undergoing a series of modifications and refreshments, the temple now has a zen room, a main hall, and thousands of artifacts. According to Japan Travel, visitors can meditate in the main hall in front of the Chiko Mandala.
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