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[shahrukh]

25. Hvalsey



Not a "city" by many standards, but Hvalsey was the largest of three Viking settlements in Greenland, settled in about 985 CE. Hvalsey reached 4,000 inhabitants at its peak, but after one of the other settlements crumbled, things began to decline here as well. The last recorded event in Hvalsey comes from 1408 (a wedding), but Hvalsey lay silent after that: the bride and groom returned to Europe and settled in Iceland.

[shahrukh]

26. Ani



Ani rose to prominence in the 5th century CE, and by the 900s, was capital of Armenia. Its nickname was the "City of 1,001 Churches," and what remains today shows an incredible variety of medieval architecture. It flourished up until the 1200s with a peak population of 200,000. But a combination of an earthquake, a Mongol invasion, and shifting trade routes caused it to diminish. The ruins are located in what is now Turkey.

[shahrukh]

27. Palenque



This Mayan city is smaller than Calakmul or Tikal, but it's home to some of the best examples of Mayan architecture and sculpture. Most were built between 600 and 800 CE, but the city, like the rest of the Maya, experienced a decline during the late 8th century. Farmers continued to live here even after the city faded, but they, too, ended up leaving.

[shahrukh]

28. Tiwanaku



Tiwanaku was the capital of a South American empire that lasted from about 300 to 1000 AD. It is located in Bolivia. It's known for its startlingly precise architecture and stonework, as well as for their penchant for human sacrifice. It was conquered by the Inca in about 1445.

With all the history these places hold, it's hard not to be amazed, or to get a bit philosophical. What will people be saying about your city a thousand years from now?