Reviving one of the seven wonders of the ancient world

Danish archaeologists are planning to rebuild the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Ancient tomb in the city of Halicarnassus. Photo: Ancient Origins.

The Mausoleum, located on a hilltop in the city of Halicarnassus in modern-day Bodrum, Türkiye, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built between 353 and 350 BC as the final resting place for Mausolus, the second ruler of Caria from the Hecatomnid dynasty, according to Ancient Origins.

The mausoleum is the second oldest surviving ancient wonder after the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The structure is a blend of art and architecture from three different cultures including Greek, Lycian, and Egyptian. However, what remains of it today is only rubble after a powerful earthquake in the 15th century.

The remains of the Mausoleum today. Photo: Kristian Jeppesen.

Danish archaeologist Poul Pedersen and his assistant John Lund at the University of Southern Denmark are working with the Mediterranean Countries Academy Foundation (MCAF) to rebuild the tomb, Hurriyet Daily News reported on January 12. This is one of the two main goals of the Danish Halikarnassos Project. The larger goal of the project is to restore the remaining structures of the ancient city of Halicarnassus.

"When the architecture is restored, at least two of the wonders of the ancient world will appear in modern times," said Özay Kartal, head of MCAF.

The project also includes digging at several sites along the route from the port city of Bodrum to the Tomb, excavating the ancient wall surrounding Bodrum and a 3,500-year-old hippodrome.

According to VNE