World’s Oldest Structures That Have Stood the Test of Time

Civilization has been leaving behind a piece of its history since the creation of the universe. Humans created mind-blowing structures that are still standing after centuries, having withstood a brutal past, intense winds, and rain, but remain iconic landmarks. That leads to an important question. What are the oldest structures on Earth?

Several structures first went up when Europeans arrived in North America. Other structures across Europe and other parts of the world tell tales of critical historical moments. Classic buildings and temples remind us of architectural designs from a different time. These old structures can teach us about the world’s history, different cultures, and ancient civilizations. Here’s a look at the 18 oldest structures in the world.

1. Sechin Bajo

Sechin Bajo is a historical site in Lima, Peru, featuring architecture from roughly 3500 BCE to 1300 BCE. The iconic monument includes three buildings. The first and oldest building consists of a circular plaza made from bricks and rocks, constructed around 3500 BCE.

Within these historical ruins is a frieze that likely went up around 3600 BCE. Around 1600 BCE, the last two buildings went up. Furthermore, the site is near the oldest known human settlement, the Caral-Supe civilization. The ancient site is one of the oldest locations in the world. 

2. Carin de Barnenez

The Carin de Barnenez is one of the oldest Neolithic monuments in the world. It’s also the oldest man-made structure. Located in Northern France, it consists of 14,000 tons of stone, eleven chambers, and separate passages. The civilization at the time built the Carin in two phases, in 4500 BC and 4200 BC.

Based on the engravings in the cave, the Carin de Barnenez was possibly a passage grave. In addition, the engravings feature various symbols, including snakes, axes, bows, and a mysterious U-shaped symbol. 

3. Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

In 1855, European Mormon settlers arrived in what would become Las Vegas. Near present-day Fremont Street and the downtown area, the settlers built the Mormon Fort to protect them from attacks. The area was perfect due to the nearby Las Vegas Springs. Plus, it was the mid-point on the trail between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

Later, the U.S. Army defended the fort during the civil war. Roughly 50 years after the first settlers built the fort, the city of Las Vegas was born. 

4. Megalithic Temple of Malta

One of the oldest structures in the world is the Megalithic Temple of Malta. Several of the prehistoric structures are older than the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge. Built between 3600 BC and 2500 BC, UNESCO declared the complex a World Heritage Site.

Later, they included five other temples to the list, including the oldest temple Ggantija. Located in Malta, the incredible temples are architectural marvels that are works of art and beauty. 

5. Santa Sabina

Built on the former home of Saint Sabina, this is an iconic church on Aventine Hill in Rome, Italy. A Dalmatian, priest Peter of Illyria, built the church around AD 422 and 432. The architectural masterpiece is a stunning piece of history. Best known for the famous cypress wood doors constructed in AD 430, the doors feature carvings of Biblical scenes, notably the Crucifixion of Jesus. 

6. Wyckoff House

Built around 1636 in present-day Brooklyn, New York City, the Wyckoff House is one of the oldest structures in America. Known as New Netherland at the time, Director Wouter van Twiller purchased the land from the Lenape people to build the home.

Located at 5816 Clarendon Road, Twiller never got to live in the house as he was recalled to Holland around 1640. Later, the Wyckoff family moved into the house around 1652. They became closely associated with the oldest Dutch frame house in North America. It became a National Historic Landmark in the late 1960s.

7. Van Fortress

Few structures in the world are as awe-inspiring as the Fortress of Van. Sitting in present-day Van, Turkey, the Kingdom of Urartu constructed the fortress around the 7th century BC. Also known as the Van Citadel, the fort sits over the ruins of the ancient city of Tushpa, the capital of Urartu.

At different times in history, various empire’s controlled the fortress, including the Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Van Fortress is one of the oldest forts in the world. 

8. Göbekil Tepe

Located in Turkey, the Göbekli Tepe is one of the oldest structures. It was built between 9500 and 8000 BCE. Some sources believe it might be the first temple built on the planet by an ancient civilization. Inside the historic site is a rare glimpse into prehistoric cultures and religions with carvings of animals and fascinating imagery.

It consists of large circular structures with massive pillars. Göbekli Tepe was discovered in the 1960s but dismissed by other archeologists. Surprisingly, it wasn’t until the 1990s that historians realized the site’s importance. 

9. West Kennet Long Barrow

During the 37th century BC, Britain underwent a significant change in the Neolithic period. It was around this period that agriculture and early versions of farming came to Britain. The West Kennet Long Barrow is one of the oldest surviving monuments from that time frame. Also known as South Long Barrow, it consisted of rectangular stones with limestone and sarsen rocks.

In the early Neolithic period, the site was a burial ground as archeologists found human bones dating back to 3670 BC. They also found ancient stone tools found in the area. It stopped being used as a burial ground for several centuries but came back in use later. 

10. Fort Nisqually 

After a murder on the route between Fort Vancouver and Fort Langley in the late 1820s, The Hudson Bay Company decided to build a fort in the middle of the passage. The Hudson Bay Company built the oldest surviving fur trading post in America, Fort Nisqually, in 1832.

Located in present-day DuPont, Washington, Fort Nisqually became the central hub of international fur trading with customers from around the globe. Known for its beaver pelts, Fort Nisqually had a reputation for the very best fur.

11. Acoma Pueblo

For over 2000 years, the Native American tribe Acoma has lived in the Acoma Pueblo just west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a descendant of ancient tribes, the Acoma Pueblo is one of North America’s oldest continuously inhabited lands.

Some of the oldest buildings date back to the 11th century and possibly went up around 1144. The earliest settlers likely moved to the area due to climate change in their previous location. The isolated area also protected the tribe from attacks. 

12. Henry Whitfield House

Located in Guilford, Connecticut, the Henry Whitfield House is actually older than the town of Guilford. The first settlers built the home of their minister, Whitfield, in 1639 before founding the city. The Puritan minister, Whitfield, had fled persecution back home in England.

After a remodeling in 1868, the home became the Henry Whitfield museum in 1899. It went through several more restorations in the early 1900s and 1930s. It became a historic landmark in 1997. The iconic home is the oldest stone house in New England and the oldest home in Connecticut. 

13. Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the location of one of the oldest churches in America. Specifically, it’s the oldest church dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The simple yet beautiful structure is a historic site that’s been around for centuries.

Most archeologists agree the construction of Santuario de Guadalupe was between the 1700s and 1800s. However, others believe it’s even older and dates back to the 1680s. Parts of the church, including the altar screen, arrived from Mexico City in the early 1780s. Regardless, it’s one of the oldest locations in the world. 

14. La Hougue Bie

The island of Jersey has a rich history with evidence of ancient civilizations existing centuries ago. One of the oldest structures in the world, La Hougue Bie, is located in Grouville, Jersey. Likely built around 4000 BC in the Neolithic period, La Hougue Bie is a long passage chamber covered in a giant Earth mound.

Often called a passage grave, it is more similar to a church. However, they did discover scattered human remains along with other artifacts.

15. C.A. Nothnagle Log House

The C.A. Nothnagle Log House is the oldest log cabin in the world. The large dwelling consists of oak logs, hardwood pegs instead of nails, and two removable logs for better ventilation. The cabin is so old that the exact date of its construction is a mystery.

Located in what is now Gloucester County, New Jersey, the fireplace still contains Nordic iron from the 1590s. However, most historians believe Finnish or Swedish settlers completed the oldest parts around 1638 and 1643. 

16. Tarxien Temples

Dating back to 3150 BC, the Tarxien Temples are one of Malta’s most historic locations. Known for its incredible stonework and carvings, the Tarxien Temples consist of three main buildings constructed around 3100 BC using stone rollers. Evidence suggests the temples were the site for animal sacrifices.

Archeologists also believe the temple was a cremation cemetery for much of its existence. In 1992, UNESCO declared the Tarxien Temples a World Heritage site. 

17. The Great Pyramids of Giza

The mysterious and marvelous Great Pyramids of Giza have fascinated humans for centuries. As the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu, the structure is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Likely built in the 26th century BC, the Pyramids are roughly 4600 years old.

Consisting of 2.3 million stones weighing more than six tonnes, the Pyramids took approximately 27 years to build. Archeologists guess an ancient civilization spent years of work, innovation, and manual labor to construct this ancient piece of history. 

18. Fort Mackinac 

During the American Revolutionary War, the British built Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island in Michigan. They constructed the outpost in the 18th century to control the fur trade along the Great Lakes and to use it during the war.

Throughout the war, the British never lost the fort to the Americans. In fact, they controlled the outpost during the War of 1812 as it became vital during the fighting. Now the historic Fort Mackinac is an iconic landmark and museum.