We have felt the need to express our creative side ever since the beginning of human history. Our art has always been a reflection of society and the various civilizations we live in, from the oldest surviving rock art and stone carvings to the exquisite sculptures and paintings we can create today.
Ancient reliefs and carvings, which are among the most resilient types of artwork, can still be seen in places of worship, tombs, and castles. The majority of the carvings and reliefs on this list can be found at UNESCO World Heritage sites and are considered to be important pieces of human history.
10 Arsameia, Mount Nemrut, Turkey
You may see the oldest relief carving of two individuals shaking hands at the Arsameia ruins in Turkey. King Mithridates, the father of Antiochus I of Commagene, is depicted shaking Hercules' hand in the fabled eleven-foot (3.5m) relief. Its creation is dated between 70 and 38 B.C. and is still beautiful to see now.
9 Dazu Rock Carvings, China
As the most sophisticated and exquisite of their time, the delicate carvings on the stone cliffs of Dazu are highly regarded. The fact that they were produced between the ninth and the twelfth centuries AD is a resounding testament to the harmonic and congenial blending of religion, philosophy, and culture that China underwent at this time.
They stand out from the larger carvings found at many other national parks because of how well-preserved they are. More than 50,000 sculptures and 100,000 engravings and etchings, ranging in size from tiny to massive, can be viewed in the sunlight, all of which are connected by well-maintained trails and corridors.
8 Elephanta Caves, Gharapuri Island, India
One of India's seven wonders is the cave temple on the island of Gharapuri. It was sculpted out of the surrounding topography in the fifth century and now houses stunningly exquisite carvings and statues that represent the pinnacle of Indian art. Numerous Hindu deities are portrayed on the panels in carvings together with their attendants.
The Trimurti is shown in the most significant and outstanding sculpture. The three-headed Shiva is depicted in this twenty-foot-long relief carving near the cave's back. You must travel from the Indian mainland to the island, climb the mountain, and navigate the caves in order to get to the temple.
7 Kom el Shoqafa, Alexandria, Egypt
Greek, Roman, and Egyptian elements can be seen in the tombs, sculptures, and other archaeological objects found in the catacombs of Alexandria. The catacombs were carved in the second century and used as a cemetery until the fourth century. After that, they were abandoned until 1900, when they were rediscovered.
The most exquisitely carved reliefs and carvings may be found within the main tomb and at the temple's entrance; they depict many gods and deities as well as Egyptian rituals. The main tomb's relief carving, which shows the shield of Athena with Medusa's head on it, makes the Greek influence more obvious.
6 Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The largest religious structure in the entire globe is the temple at Angkor Wat. Every year, more than a million people travel there attracted by its allure. It was constructed in the twelfth century, and in addition to its enormous size, it is recognized for the incredible complexity of the reliefs and the variety of devatas (minor female deities) that cover the temple walls.
In reality, the temple's pillars, lintels, and roofs were all intricately carved by hundreds of artists. The huge reliefs, which cover miles of wall space, are mostly scenes from the old Hindu epics.
5 Apadana Palace, Persepolis, Iran
The palace, which Darius the Great built around 515 B.C., must have been a sight to behold. The roof was supported by large columns, 13 of which were still surviving by the 20th century. Rows of reliefs that depicted successions of delegations, soldiers, guards, and chariots hauling gifts and offerings for the king decorated the staircases. The Immortals of 300 Fame, the noble guard of the Persian Kings, were etched onto the palace's front walls.
4 Toranas, Sanchi, India
A small village in India called Sanchi is well-known for its stupas, or Buddhist monuments. The "Great Stupa," built in the third century B.C., is the most notable of these. The Toranas, which were carefully positioned around the Great Stupa, are Sanchi's most amazing relief and stone carvings. These have life cycle scenes of the Buddha etched into them. None of the Toranas were spared, and one even had a sculpture of Yakshini supporting a trestle architrave.
3 Mahabalipuram, India
Between the seventh and ninth centuries A.D., a number of memorials were constructed in and around the town of Mahabalipuram; today, four of them are designated as World Heritage sites. The "Descent of the Ganges" or "Arjuna's Penance" was carved out of monolithic rock and is known throughout the globe as the largest remaining open-air relief. It is ninety-six feet (29m) long by forty-three feet (13m) high.
There are two distinct yet complementary interpretations of the symbolism of the artwork. To the left of the temple, either Arjuna or Shiva appear, while to the right, life-size elephants protect their young beneath a legion of creatures that are all flawlessly suspended for eons to come.
2 Taq-e Bostan, Iran
In the Zagros Mountains, near the ancient caravan path of the Silk Road, are the Taq-e Bostan sculptures. The Sassanid Dynasty ruled from A.D. 226 and A.D. 650, when the magnificent and immaculately preserved artworks were produced. Every traveler would have seen the site's grandeur thanks to its ideal location close to a historic waypoint and campground; splendor that has stayed virtually unaltered for the past 1700 years. Two exquisite arches that show crowning rituals, hunting scenes, and diverse Sassanid patterns are among the artworks. An neighboring body of water that receives its water supply from a holy spring reflects the grandeur of the mountain's carvings in its own splendor.
1 Leshan Giant Buddha, China
Around A.D. 713, the Sichuan province's rock face yielded the largest stone Buddha ever created. A monk started the project in the hopes that the Buddha's presence would calm the turbulent river. According to legend, the river's currents were altered as a result of the large amount of stone that was dumped there during construction, making the water safer for passing ships. The artwork was designed with an amazing drainage system that is still functional today, protecting it from water run-off.
