While all archaeological sites contribute to our understandings of the past, certain sites have been instrumental in one way or another in influencing the development of archaeology as a field of study. It may be that a site gave its name to a period in prehistory, a type-site, or that the site significantly changed the way in which we think about the past. This is a collection of those historically important sites. > Read more

Scattered throughout Europe are a handful of archaeological sites that over the years have revealed some remarkable fossilised fragments of Europe's earliest hominin ancestors. While the date and identity of these remains are constantly being reconsidered, they nonetheless provide important clues about the origins of humanity in Europe. Some of these sites are open to the public. > Read more

The southwest of France has some of the most spectacular Palaeolithic cave art in the world. Certainly it is amongst the most well-known. Ranging from about 30,000 to 12,000 years ago, the art is to be found in the many limestone caves. So rich is the area in Palaeolithic archaeology that part of it, the Vézère Valley, was placed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. > Read more

The area around the Breton city of Vannes has the richest and most diverse concentration of megalithic monuments in the world. Variously dated to the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, these monuments include single menhirs, alignments of standing stones, dolmens, and tumuli of different types. From Brittany down the western coast of France there are many more examples of these sites, making for a wonderful Megalithic tour. > Read more

Hill Forts are artificially fortified or defended settlements located on hilltops constructed during the Iron Age; some are, however, thought to have originated in the Bronze Age. They are found throughout Europe, and vary greatly in type and density. Some of the larger Hill Forts became more like cities than simple fortresses. During the expansion of the Roman Empire many hill forts were assimilated by the Romans. > Read more

From the 8th century BC the Etruscans occupied much of central Italy – roughly corresponding to what is now Tuscany, developing a network of commercial and artistic trade that extended throughout the Mediterranean. Interesting examples of Etruscan architecture have survived until today, as have their extraordinary necropolises that were decorated with some truly exquisite wall paintings and sculptures. > Read more

Julius Caesar called the south of France "the Province of Rome", but for the Romans the area included much more than what is Provence today. Roman Provence stretched from the Pyrenees in the west to the Maritime Alps in the east, and reached as far north up the Rhone Valley as Lyon. Evidence for the Roman occupation of this part of France is everywhere, from small villages to enormous monuments. > Read more

Amphitheatres were built by the Romans throughout their Empire, and today some 230 are known about from Wales in the west, to Syria in the east, Scotland in the north, and Libya in the south. Built to impress, they are a defining feature of what would have been a wealthy Roman city or town. A number of well preserved examples are now still used to stage various spectator events. > Read more

Roman theatres are found throughout the Roman Empire, from Syria in the east to Spain in the west, from north Africa in the south to England and Germany in the north. Greek in origin, they were used to stage plays, choral events and orations - hence their small, semicircular design with good acoustics that was often enhanced by being placed up against a hillside. > Read more

Roman villas were the country residences of the wealthy upper classes. Often these grand houses were lavishly appointed with mosaic floors and fresco walls, which have survived until today. Some of the finest villas are to be found in Italy at the heart of the wealth of the Roman Empire. Outside of Italy, the villa was a powerful sign of the Romanization of indigenous populations. > Read more

Roman mosaics have been found throughout France, and today these can be seen in a number of museums around the country and in various restored archaeological sites from the Roman period. Mosaics tend to be restricted to villas and other domestic architecture or places of worship. The imagery varies from simple, geometric patterns to complex and elaborate panels depicting classical mythological themes. > Read more

Whether in ruins or still in use as a monastery today the many and varied abbeys of France provide a fascinating insight into the history of this country following the fall of the Roman Empire. Besides evocative ruins and interesting architecture in quite stunning settings, many of these religious houses also have exquisite art, from illuminated manuscripts to delicately decorated architectural features. > Read more

No other ancient civilisation has held the attention of the West as much as ancient Egypt. Europe’s fascination with Egypt is almost as old as antiquity itself, and dates back to the ancient Greeks and Alexander’s conquering of Egypt. For centuries now Egyptian artefacts have been sold to private collectors and museums. Consequently, today there are numerous collections of Egyptian antiquities all over Europe. > Read more