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10 Oldest Structures in the world

Structures are what make a country to be what it is. The designs of the structures and how unique these structures are can make a country be known worldwide.

Some of the structures have quite a unique architectural design and they’ve been there for over 1000 years. This goes to show that architectural skills have been in existence since the beginning of time.

Some of the oldest structures in the world include:

1. Megalithic Temples of Malta

Malta temples- Ggantija temples gozo- Author; Ronny Siegel-

Dating back to 3,500 to 2,500 BCE, the Megalithic Temples located in Malta are some of the oldest structures in the world.

They are a group of stone temples even older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Currently they are  excellently preserved as they were rediscovered and restored in the 19th century by European and native Maltese archaeologists.

Not much is known about who really built them but evidence from inside the temples (livestock sacrifices) suggest that local farmers could have built these stony structures.

There are several temples scattered around, many of which appear on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, the most important one of them all is the two-temple complex at Ggantija.

According to UNESCO, the Megalithic Temples of Malta are actually some of the oldest, but still free-standing stone buildings on Earth.

It is believed that the ancient Maltese prioritized both architectural proficiency and artistic creativity. The evident of which is shown through the unique architecture  of these structures that have inherently blend together.

Drilled holes decorate many of the panels within, as well as tree, plant, animal, and spiral motifs. Furthermore, the artifacts discovered within the temples, and also their purposeful layout and design, indicate these to have been important places of potentially ritualistic weight and activity.

2. Knap of Howar, Scotland

Knap of Howar in Papa Westray, Scotland- Author;Mark Longair-

The Knap of Howar is located on the Scottish island of Papa Westray and it is home to a Neolithic farmstead that dates all the way back to 3,500 BCE.

This structure is made up of two adjacent, rounded rectangular, thick-walled buildings with very low doorways. The farmstead is believed to be the oldest preserved stone house in Northern Europe.

Excavations done at the site have uncovered stone tools, like grinders and borers. There has also been evidence of a partly agricultural economy, such as wheat and barley production, and the domestication of animals, which have been found.

Ritual ceremonies were likely practiced at the Knap of Howar, too, as evident by the discovery of an antler and the head of a mace built from whalebone.

3. G枚bekli Tepe, Temple

Neolithic archaeological site Gobekli Tepe- Author; Kerimbesler-

G枚bekli Tepe is an archaeological site of a temple in Southeastern Turkey and has been dated back to 9500 – 8000 BCE. This date was discovered by carbon dating old tools that were found during excavations.

This building is said is said to in fact be  the oldest structure on earth, found to date. It is even older than the Egyptian pyramids and even Stonehenge.

The buildings that makeup G枚bekli Tepe are large circular structures supported by stone pillars and the interesting thing about it is that the pillars are decorated with carvings and drawings of animals such as oxen, lions, scorpions and vultures.

These carvings provide an insight into how the people in this civilization lived. Overtime, archaeologists have concluded that this area, long before it was farmed into a relatively flat and open area, would have been a paradise of sorts.

They say that it is possible the land would have been full of grazing animals, birds, butterflies and just be full of life.

4. Cairn of Barnenez, France

Cairn of Barnenez- Author; Thesupermat-

The Cairn of Barnenez is a monument  found in Northern France. It is the second oldest structure in the world, dating all the way back to 4800 BCE.

It is the largest megalithic mausoleum found to date. In basic terms, 鈥淢egalithic mausoleums鈥� are buildings that house tombs and burial chambers. Often, they are built underground and in the early civilization, they were looked at as a passageway for the dead to reach the afterlife.

Back in the 1850s, this structure was reported as a tumulus. That is, an artificial mound created by humans. However, about 100 years later, quarry work dug down into this mound and discovered that it was not  just a tumulus but rather a building created with stone.

As expected, all quarry digging stopped and restoration and excavation efforts began so as to get to know and understand this historic building lying below.

The Cairn of Barnenez contains 11 passage tombs built throughout the interior. Burial rituals and routines were incredibly important in history and the 11 passage tombs were built in two parts since more space was needed.

5. Tumulus of Bougon, France

Tumulus of Bougon- Author; Jochen Jahnke-

The Tumulus of Bougon is the 3rd oldest building in the world and is also located in France. This building is actually 5 different tumulus’ located on one site. 

A tumulus is pieces of earth or stone placed over graves to raise them. Burial mounds are common in many different cultures all over the world and were mainly built for two main purposes. One, to honor the dead. The more important the person was the larger the mound was.

Two, forconvenience. In many areas around the world, digging down meant digging through rock, stone, roots and clay. Building up and around was easier.  So much like the Cairn of Barnenez, this too is a burial site. 

Tumulus of Bougon was mainly used as a burial site so as to pay remembrance to the people who had passed away in the nearby villages.

These burial sites are one of the world’s oldest examples of funerary architecture. Each tumulus differs in size and was used during different time frames for proper burial. Upon archaeological research, other artifacts have been found such as pottery, art, stone tools, and beads. 

This site is currently still standing to date and to be honest it is such a spectacular view to behold. The greenery, design and thought process needed for the construction of this resting place makes it truly beautiful. 

6. Uruk, Iraq

Uruk archaeological site at Warka in Iraq- Author; SAC Andy Holmes –

Another one of the world’s oldest structures is Uruk. When thinking of Uruk, the important factor to remember is that it actually isn鈥檛 just a single building, but an entire ancient city.

It is believed to be the first city ever created. It was made up of many temples and other buildings in Iraq and represents a turning point in the history of civilization. 

Constructed in 4000 BCE, Uruk was home to about 40,000 people and so far, archaeologists have been able to identify 20 temples, 1 room, 2 normal halls, 1 great hall, and 4 buildings for bathing and other necessities in the remains.

The various buildings within the city or Uruk allowed the 40,000 residents to live quite comfortably, even allowing for up to 80,000 inhabitants at various times.

7. Hulbjerg J忙ttestue, Denmark

Hulbjerg J忙ttestue- Author; Praeceptor-

Dating back to 3,000 BCE, the difficult-to-pronounce Hulbjerg J忙ttestue is a burial spot in Denmark. Upon its discovery, 40 corpses were found inside, one of which showed early examples of dentistry.

According to The Heritage Agency of Denmark, the Hulbjerg passage grave鈥檚 dead were found to have been buried at different periods across the Neolithic Age. Most of them were children and adults from the early days of the early civilization of this culture (between 4,800 and 6,000 years ago).

Different piles were established for bones and skulls, some of which showed clear signs of purposeful dentistry.

Researchers therefore believe this to be some of the world鈥檚 earliest evidence of the practice, with an uncovered flint drill likely used to perform root canal operations.

Fun fact: One of the discovered skulls is permanently on display in Denmark鈥檚 Langeland Museum.

8. Monte d鈥橝ccoddi, Italy

Monte d鈥橝ccoddi- Author; Cristiano Cani-

Monte d鈥橝ccoddi is a site in Sardinia, Italy that archaeologists believe was erected between 2,700 and 2,000 BCE.

Having been discovered in 1954, Monte d鈥橝ccoddi probably once featured an altar, temple, or step pyramid. This is according to archeologists who have taken time to study the structure.

According to Maria Grazia Melis of the Department of Humanistic Sciences and Antiquities at the University of Sassari, this structure showcases the most important examples of both tradition and innovation adn the contemporary culture transition from Neolithic to Eneolithic.

9. 脟atalh枚y眉k, Turkey

脟atalh枚y眉k,- UNESCO World Heritage Site- Author; Murat 脰zsoy 1958-

This Neolithic warren of ancient homes dates back to 7,400 BCE.  Although the purpose of each of the rooms found in its compound is up for debate, archaeologists are relatively sure that all were domestic buildings. That is, this was basically a home.

Because there were no streets or roads to separate the dwellings, people lived in close proximity, which points to a deeply cooperative society.

Bodies were found buried beneath hearths and beds, suggesting the people of 脟atalh枚y眉k venerated their dead and kept them close.

According to UNESCO world heritage site, this structure is 47 hectares big and comprised of two hills on the Southern Anatolian Plateau.

The taller mound on the eastern side contains wall paintings, sculptures, reliefs, and other evidence of Neolithic occupation.

10. The Wall Of Jericho, West Bank

Remains of city wall of ancient Jericho- Author; Matson Collection-

This is not the wall of Jericho that came tumbling down as described in the book of Joshua. That wall would have been a construction from the Bronze Age hence not the one we’re talking about.

The original Neolithic Wall of Jericho is considerably older, dating perhaps as far back as 8,000 BCE, when the end of the Ice Age made it possible for the migrating nomads to settle there permanently.

Archaeologists suspect the construction was designed primarily to protect the emerging city from floodwaters. It may be the oldest city wall ever discovered.

This  28-foot stone tower was first discovered by archaeologists in 1952, at which point the structure was dated to be over 11,000 years old.