10 Oldest Buildings in The World

Oldest building in the World, Göbekli Tepe (Turkey). Photo By Teomancimit – Wikimedia Commons

10 Oldest Buildings in The World

Owing to the ancient nomadic way of life, the first structures made by man were temporary. However, his transition to agriculture as the main economic activity saw more permanent buildings set up from the late Stone Age.

Structures were put up to serve a specific purpose. One of the most common was shelter. Others were built as places of worship while some were a form of cultural practices such as burials. 

Thanks to archeology and radiocarbon dating, remains of ancient buildings have been discovered all around the world. These historically rich buildings stood the test of time and physiographical changes.

The following list contains a chronological order of the ten oldest buildings on Earth:

1. Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

Year said to have been constructed: between 10,000 to 8000 BCE (Before Common Era)

Functionality: Religious

Gobekli Tepe is a building made up of circular structures and large stone pillars. It was named Potbelly Hill because of its protruding element on the foothills of Taurus Mountain.

 Gobekli Tepe was said to be used as a place of worship during the Neolithic period and is considered the oldest temple in the world. Of the 35,000 megaliths in Europe, Gobekli Tepe has the oldest one in the continent and the world.

The iconography on the pillars depicts abstract shapes, animals, and carvings of human traits. As of now, only 5% of the structure has been excavated meaning much more is yet to be uncovered in the future.

To explore Turkey’s top best ten archaeological sites, click here.

2. Tower of Jericho, Palestine

Tower of Jericho. Photo By Reinhard Dietrich – Wikimedia Commons

Year said to have been constructed: 8000 BCE.

Functionality: Astronomy

Tower of Jericho was discovered in the 1930s by John Garstang, a British archaeologist. According to John, the 8.5 metre stone structure matched the description of biblical towers dating around 1400 BCE.

However, another British archaeologist by the name Kathleen opposed this. She claimed the tower was part of a large Neolithic settlement. The tower was used to determine the annual summer solstice and mark the beginning of longer nights.

3. Catalhoyuk, Turkey

Years said to have been constructed: 7100 to 6400 BCE.

Functionality: Settlement

Catalhoyuk ruins were discovered in 1958. They formed part of a larger settlement during the Neolithic period. The ruins were estimated to hold a capacity of about 6,500 people.

 During excavation, the archaeologist found 18 different layers of buildings the oldest dating back to 7100BC.

Aside from figurines and murals, the first landscape painting was part of their discoveries. The painting was a representation of the settlement and its surrounding mountain peaks. The painting was also considered the oldest map to ever exist.

 Catalhoyuk was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2012. A replica of its settlement structure is displayed at the Bougon Museum, France.

4. Mehrgarh, Pakistan

Mehrgarh ruins. Dated to 5500 BC per Dikshit, K.N. (2013). Photo By Ashish_Premier – Wikimedia Commons

Year said to have been constructed: 7000 to 5500 BCE.

Functionality: Settlement

Mehrgarh settlement is located west of the transboundary Indus River. Its earliest settlement was dated between 7000 and 5500 BCE. The findings from the site imply that the settlement was part of the Bronze Age Civilization. 

The site has been excavated twice since its discovery in 1974 and is the origin of over 30,000 artifacts. It also has the oldest figurines in all of South Asia.

Read about the history and famous events that took place in Pakistan.

5. Durankulak, Bulgaria

Year said to have been constructed: 5000 BCE.

Functionality: Settlement

Durankulak is a coherently laid ruin on the North Eastern side of Bulgaria. It is located on one of the two islands in Lake Durankulak covering an area of about 1.5 km².

The settlement was excavated in 1974 and was the first home of the late Neolithic culture in the Balkan Peninsula. The inhabitants were subsistent farmers and livestock keepers.

6. Cairn of Barnenez, France

The Cairn of Barnenez
Photo By Theroadislong –Wikimedia Commons

Year said to have been constructed: 4850 BCE.

Functionality: Grave mound/Settlement

Barnenez is a settlement and burial site in the Northwest of France. When it was first discovered in 1850, Barnenez was considered part of the Neolithic tumulus in France. Archaeological evidence also shows the possibility of settlement in 3000 BCE.

Barnenez was later acquired as private property and was used as a quarry. In the 1950s, all commercial activities were halted and the community took over the site.

The burial passages are up to 72 meters long and have carvings on the megalithic chambers.

7. Tumulus of Bougon, France

One of the tumulus elongated, with stepped mound at each terminal. Photo By Jochen Jahnke – Wikimedia Commons

Year said to have been constructed: 4800 BCE.

Functionality: Grave mound

The Tumulus of Bougon, also known as the Necropolis of Bougon, was discovered in 1840. It is located on a plateau area previously known as Les Chirons and has five distinctive structures.

The first tumulus had three layers with about 200 skeletons, stone tools, and pottery. It was abandoned by the initial settlers but was later reused as a burial ground for other people.

The monument on the site is one of the oldest in Atlantic, France.

Learn the best facts about France on the website.

8. Solnitsata, Bulgaria

Year said to have been constructed: 4700 BCE.

Functionality: Settlement

Solnitsata is the oldest settlement in Europe. It existed around 4700 BC as a fortified area that included a citadel and an outer city. The outer city was used as a pottery and salt manufacturing area.  

Solnitsata was the main source of salt production and supply around the Balkan Peninsula. For this reason, the majority of its residents were wealthy as proven by the numerous gold objects collected around the settlement.   

Reasonable archaeological research has proven that the small vibrant town was destroyed by an earthquake.

9. Saint Michel Tumulus, France

Year said to have been constructed: 4500 BCE.

Functionality: Grave mound

Occupying around 75,000 square meters, Saint Michel is the largest tumulus in France and the European continent. It was built during the 5^th millennium using stone and other earthly materials.

The grave mound was excavated in 1862 and ancient funerary tools such as flints, axes, and pearls were uncovered.

10. Monte d’Accoddi, Sardinia Island

Prenuragic altar of Monte D’ Accoddi (Sassari, Sardinia). Photo source Wikimedia Commons

Year said to have been constructed: 4000 BCE.

Functionality: Settlement

Monte d’Accoddi is a settlement North of Sardinia Island, Mediterranean Sea. It was discovered in 1954 and was first distinguished as an altar due to its raised platform.

After much excavation, it was discovered that the original structure existed below the platform’s layer of earth and stone. The ruins were said to have been from the early 3000 BC.

In 1980, part of Monte d’Accoddi was reconstructed and is now open to tourists.

Find out what more the Mediterranean Sea has to offer here.