THE AMBASSADORS
Summer Issue
FEATURES
THE AMBASSADORS
Summer
Issue
FEATURES
Volume 2, Issues 3
July 1999
The "Eighth" Wonder of the World?
- By The Ambassadors Staff
An image of the Seven Wonders of the World (From MS Encarta '98)
The Seven Wonders of the World were first designated by Antipater of Sidan in the 2nd century B.C. They were regarded by Ancient Greek and Roman observers as the most extraordinary structures of antiquity. They are:
1. The Giza pyramids of Egypt (c. 2680-2544 B.C.)
2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon in Iraq(about 600 B.C.)
3. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia (mid-5th century B.C.)
4. The Temple of Artemis in Greece (356 B.C.)
5. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (353 B.C.)
6. The Colossus of Rhodes (280 B.C.)
7. The lighthouse Pharos of Alexandria (270 B.C.)
In both the Ancient Middle Eastern and Greco-Roman civilizations, there are hidden treasures that are yet to be found. A recent discovery, of what might seem to be the "eighth wonder" in Anatolia (Ancient Turkey) will encourage archeologists, anthropologists, historians and paleopathologists to consider the importance of further scientific analysis of the different cutures and civilizations. A German geo-physicist Tom Utecht, a Dutch architect Maurice Crijns and his wife Olga, a self-proclaimed psychic were the three persons who believe they may know where King Antiochus built his tomb. The discovery of a unique holy complex building containing the king's tomb hidden inside a Turkish mountain more than 21 centuries ago guarded by busts of gods has been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World". The Nemrut monument provides a rich picture of the Commagene Kingdom, which existed from 162 B.C.- A.D. 72, and of King Antiochus, who raised to its greatesr heights and built the monument. Archeologists have discovered a wonderful sculpture, a life-size lion together with the stars, planets and a moon. Scholars have determined that their configuration marks the exact moment of King Antiochus' coronation, showing it to have taken place within 10 minutes of 7:30 p.m. on what have been July 14, 109 B.C.!! To this day, scholars are searching for the king's tomb, bodyand treasures.
Interestingly, some compare King Antiochus' tomb discovery by Lord Carnarvon and archeologist Howard Carter of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen in the 1920s. The discovery of King Tut's tomb, mummy and treasures led to world Tutmania and Egyptomania. The hype that accompanies further discoveries in Nemrut could also lead to Anatoliomania and become a major archeological site, increasing the world's interest in ancient civilizations.
As we get closer to the close of this century, it is predicted that a huge number of tourists will make their way to Jerusalem in order to celeberate 2000 years on the birth of Jesus. Tourists of the 21st century will be visiting different Middle Eastern regions, including the new archeological discoveries in Egypt and Turkey.
