Oldest Man-made Structures on Earth Still in Use

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How long do you think is the lifespan of a bridge or building made in present times? 50 years! 100 years! Why not more? How are some structures that were made hundreds of years ago, not only still standing, but still in use? These oldest man-made structures on our planet Earth still in use, will amaze you further.

Old! An Understatement.

Damascus (Syria), believed to be 11,000 years old, is the oldest city in the world, been continuously inhabited. Some researchers argue that this title should go to Aleppo, in Syria, which has evidence of being 13,000 years old. These cities have withstood the test of time and age. What about the bridges, dams, theaters, that are hundreds of years old?

They have stood tall and are still being used? Nothing less than a miracle, one might think! Let's get down to business, and have a closer look at some of the most amazing man-made structures in the world, that have been built centuries ago, withstood the test of time, and are still being used for some purpose, as we speak.

Oldest In-Use Structures Around

Dhamek Stupa Year : 500 BC Structure : Shrine Place : Uttar Pradesh, India Called Dhamekh, Dhamekha, this stupa is in Sarnath, less than 10 miles from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The stupa (dome-shaped shrine) is affiliated to Buddhism. The main stupa was originally 300 feet high, but currently Dhamek Stupa stands around 143 ft tall. Its walls have Brahmi script inscriptions, as well as carved figures of humans and birds.

Ponte Fabricio

Year : 62 BC Structure : Bridge Place : Rome, Italy

Meaning 'Fabricius' Bridge', it is still the same. Also called Ponte dei Quattro Capi, the bridge is 200 feet long, connecting Campus Martius to Tiber Island. The bridge was designed by Lucius Fabricius, and its construction includes tuff, bricks, and travertine.

Theatre of Marcellus Year : 13 BC Structure : Theatre Place : Rome, Italy Built by Julius Caesar Augustus Caesar for Marcus Marcellus, the Theatre of Marcellus was once Rome's biggest open-air theatre, and could hold as many as 11,000 spectators.

Built with tuff, concrete, and stones, over time, it has gone through numerous modifications, construction-wise, and today even houses apartments, while other parts are used for small to medium-sized concerts.

Tower of Hercules Year : 3 AD Structure : Lighthouse Place : Coruña, Galicia, Spain The Tower of Hercules is an ancient Roman lighthouse in Spain.

Even though it is 2,000 years old, it is being used even today. Rehabilitated in 1791, this lighthouse is 187 feet tall, and overlooks Spain's North Atlantic coast. Previously known as 'Farum Brigantium', this structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a national monument of Spain.

The Colosseum Year : 80 AD Structure : Amphitheater Place : Rome, Italy Built of concrete and stone, The Colosseum, once upon a time, could hold more than 50,000 spectators, mainly for gladiator-related events.

This huge amphitheater is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The Colosseum is an extremely popular tourist destination, and every year on Good Friday, the Pope leads the 'Way of the Cross' procession starting from here.

Pantheon Year : 126 AD Structure : Temple Place : Rome, Italy

This 1,900-year-old structure is one of the best-preserved buildings in Rome. It has always been in use, and at present is a museum and Roman Catholic Church. Standing 142 feet tall, the Pantheon is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. It is also known as 'Santa Maria della Rotonda'.

Mausoleum of Hadrian Year : 139 AD Structure : Mausoleum Place : Rome, Italy Also known as Castel Sant'Angelo, this 2nd-century mausoleum was converted to a fortress-cum-castle in 400 AD, and was even used by popes.

Originally built by Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for his family and also himself, since the 5th century, it has lost most of its tombs and decorative items. In once-upon-a-time Rome, it was the tallest structure around.

Proserpina Dam Year : 2nd Century AD Structure : Dam Place : Mérida, Spain The 1,900-year-old dam in Spain is still used by farmers for irrigation. In 1993, it was declared a World Heritage Site, and is over 1,400 feet in length.

Sanchi Year : 300 AD Structure : Shrine Place : Madhya Pradesh, India Sanchi, also known as the land of the 'stupas', is a tiny village in the state of MP in India.

It has numerous Buddhist monuments, some as old as 3rd Century BC, which is why it is an important destination as far as Buddhist pilgrimage is concerned. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a very popular tourist destination.

Basilica of Constantine Year : 310 AD Structure : Church Place : Trier, Germany Also known as Aula Palatina, the Basilica of Constantine was built by Roman Emperor Constantine.

Its main hall is 220 feet long. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was partially damaged in air raids during WWII, but was repaired later on. At present, it is a church of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland.

Santa Sabina

Year : 422 AD Structure : Church Place : Rome, Italy Also known as the Basilica of Saint Sabina, this Catholic Church has remained the same ever since it was built in the early 5th century.

This church is 200 feet long, and has 18 panels, 17 of which depict different scenes from the Bible. In the 9th century, this church was fortified, and in subsequent centuries, its interiors were renovated from time to time.

Santa Sophia Year : 537 AD Structure : Church Place : Istanbul, Turkey

Known as Hagia Sophia, this basilica was converted to a mosque in the 15th century, and since the year 1935 is being used as a museum. It is made of ashlar and brick, and is around 270 feet long. With a massive dome, this structure remained the biggest cathedral in the world till the 15th century.

Church of the Nativity Year : 565 AD Structure : Church Place : Bethlehem, West Bank This church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but is included in UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

It's one of the oldest church structures in the world, and was commissioned by Constantine and his mother Helena. Prominent bell towers were included when constructional additions were made to it in the 6th century. The site is of great significance to both, Christianity and Islam.

Mosque of Uqba Year : 670 AD Structure : Mosque Place : Kairouan, Tunisia Also known as the Great Mosque of Kairouan, this is one of the oldest mosques in the world, and the most important one in Tunisia.

It was built by Uqba ibn Nafi, an Arab general. With an area of nearly 9,000 square meters, the Mosque of Uqba is one of the oldest places of worship as far as Islamic faith is concerned.

Jokhang Year : 7th Century AD Structure : Temple Place : Lhasa, Tibet

It also called as Qokang Monastery, Jokang, Jokhang Temple, Jokhang Monastery. It is believed to be the most sacred monastery in Tibet, and is also popular tourist attraction in the area. Its construction is a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Nepalese designs. The Jokhang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was founded during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo.

Nanchan Temple Year : 782 AD Structure : Temple Place : China The temple is in Doucun, Wutaishan, built in 8th Century under Tang Dynasty. Its Great Buddha Hall is the oldest preserved building in China, of 17 sculptures and a pagoda.

Acoma Pueblo Year : 1100 AD Structure : Pueblo (Village) Place : Albuquerque, USA Also known as 'Sky City', Acoma Pueblo is a Native American village in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As per records, this place is 900 years old, but Acoma tribal traditions point towards the probability that people have lived here since 2,000 years or so. A federally recognized tribal entity, originally the area was 5 million acres, but at present has just 5,000 people with an area of 500,000 acres.

Angkor Wat Year : 12th Century AD Structure : Temple Place : Angkor, Cambodia It is the largest religious structure in the world.

Built by Khmer King Suryavarman II, it was first Hindu, and then a Buddhist temple complex. Most of the 1,000-year-old temples in Angkor are still in use by the locals for religious functions.

It is amazing how these structures have been preserved as time has gone by, so well, that they are being used by mankind even today. Do we have a lesson or two in construction that can be learned from our ancestors?