Shibam, a town in Hadramawt, Yemen, is considered to have the world’s oldest skyscrapers. It has about 7,000 inhabitants and all of the town’s house are made out of mud bricks. Some of these structures rise 5 to 9 stories high.
This technique of building was implemented in order to protect residents from Bedouin attacks. While Shibam has existed for around 2,000 years, most of the city’s houses come mainly from the 16th century.
Shibam is often called “the Manhattan of the desert”.
Leon
Very interesting, I’d like to visit this someday.
May 28th, 2008
Jander
Wow, this is so cool…
Jun 6th, 2008
Anonymous
Yes perhaps these are the oldest ones existence, but not far from Hadramawt is an area that is known to have had the earliest skyscrapers in history. This is in the Ahqaf area, but God wiped them off and all traces of their existence when they disobeyed the prophet that was sent to them and asked the prophet Ad (peace be upon him) to bring forth the punnishment of God on them for not believing in God.
Jun 30th, 2008
MR
I hate to break it to you, but god like Santa clause isn’t real. Get over it. They made him up to make you feel better about dying.
Jul 1st, 2008
ruiner
live ur life dreaming of nothing after death god does exist u cant prove otherwise *stumbled onto this by the way*
Jul 2nd, 2008
Colleenmike
You can’t prove there isn’t a tea pot circling the Earth. But, that doesn’t mean it’s in orbit.
God is for children. Grow up.
Jul 2nd, 2008
Anon
no, forcing your opinion on other people is whats childish. people can believe whatever they want
Jul 2nd, 2008
jim
“no, forcing your opinion on other people is whats childish. people can believe whatever they want”
exactly, so quit telling me god is real.
Jul 2nd, 2008
Jack White
Hey hey! I am not a believer either, but it is the atheists in this page that are forcing their view. If the story goes that God wiped the place out, then that is the story. If you don’t believe it, don’t. But there is no need to be rude.
Jul 2nd, 2008
Anononon
@Anon
If I can chose to believe whatever I want than I chose to believe that there is no god and that it is my duty to tell you that.
God is what people use to make theme selves feel better about how little control an individual has in their life.
It should not be on Atheists to prove that their is no god, lets see some indisputable evidence that there is a god. And no the bible doesn’t count it’s like all those other books “based on actual events” the writers took liberties.
Jul 2nd, 2008
A Dude
Okay, children please, I don’t mean to start a religious discussion here, BUT, there is indisputable evidence on both sides of the fence…especially if you ignore Christianity and go with Judaism. So lets all calm our feathers and go on gawking in amazement at these works of wonder made in the 16th century!
Jul 2nd, 2008
vandalla
If you believe that there is no God, then for your sake I hope you are right. As for me I will pray for you and all non-believers to see the light.
Jul 2nd, 2008
BillinDetroit
I don’t think “Anononon” has clue one about the impact of God on humans. Nor do I think that he realizes that atheism is not a belief system … it excludes the concept of a conclusion based on faith. Atheism relies on hard evidence and he provides none. Nor can he.
I have to wonder what HE uses to make himself feel better about how little control he has in his life? He’s in a march against the clock … at death, it’s all over for him. Every minute spent surfing online is a minute taken from his puny legacy which will, in a generation or two, be all but forgotten in any case. Quick, name Todd Lincoln’s oldest child. Probably you’ll have to DAGS to determine if one even existed.
I don’t buy the Muslim approach to God … but atheism makes even less sense to me.
I can not look around me and regard this unique proposition in the universe as simply a ‘fluke’ that somehow violated the natural laws preventing life anywhere else in the immediate neighborhood (the nearest 20 light years, for instance) and it is difficult for me to embrace the idea that my life has no enduring meaning. But, if it ends at death, that is exactly correct. Moreover, I think that a belief in God imposes a sense of accountability that results in a far more sane world than otherwise would obtain. Yeah, false religion causes a lot of grief … but that is exactly what marks it as false. Think about that the next time your local religious leader urges you to take up arms against fellow human beings. The light that goes off in your head should be flashing bright red.
One thing I like about photos like this is that it makes us rethink our ideas about the relative sophistication of earlier ages. It takes some pretty good engineering to build structures like this … they face high winds and they actually invite attacks. Notice the defensive wall around it. That wall won’t stop and M1 Abrams, but it would sure slow down a guy on a camel.
There is a video at http://www.theforgottentechnology.com that is well worth viewing because it shows how the pyramids of Egypt might have been erected by a relatively small work force using simple technology that was definitely available to them. No spaceships, no levitation, no hoo-doo of any sort.
Ur, the ancient home of Abraham, had running water and indoor plumbing. Evaporative cooling was not unknown. Apparently there was also knowledge of batteries and that presumes that there was some use for them. Lighting? Medicine? Hydrogen fuels? Shock nightcrawlers to the surface? Who knows … the batteries survived but the devices / instructions haven’t been found (yet).
Anononon speaks from ignorance. I speak from experience. Religion is not a way to cope with a loss of control, it is a way to gain it. Before embracing religion I had as much control in this life as he does. Now I have more.
Jul 2nd, 2008
SYRIUS
Dang people just look at the picture religion has no effect on whether the picture is cool or not starting arguments really show maturity and help you get your point across much clearer than a sit down calm talk
Jul 2nd, 2008
mgwalk
I like the buildings btw!
Jul 2nd, 2008
wtf mate?
cool pictures….think they have like a little Wawa, or 7-Eleven store in there somewhere. I mean what in the world would they do without one?
They look close enough to jump from one building to the next, that would be so awesome. I might just do it if I was there. Why you may ask? Well I will tell you why. Because if I jumped all the buildings and made it, I would definitely be cool. If I failed I would finally put an end to this argument, but the secret would be mine for the keeping. As for you silly people arguing over something that has caused so many pointless wars, why don’t you just make another one……stupid stupid people will we ever learn from our past mistakes…
THE PICTURE IS AWESOMEEEEEE, the story is cool, and damn I wish I had a house made out of sand because then it wouldn’t cost me so much to buy one.
REPRESENT
Jul 2nd, 2008
Sebass
If there is a god, may he strike the internet DEAD!
Jul 2nd, 2008
Mandy
Quoted from above:
“Anononon
@Anon
If I can chose to believe whatever I want then I chose to believe that there is no god and that it is my duty to tell you that.”
Oh the irony! LOL.
Jul 2nd, 2008
Bob McKay
Besides….With Atheism you get no religious holidays….have fun
Jul 2nd, 2008
MC
Instead of arguing whether or not God exists, lets just all appreciate the beauty, and incredible fortitude it took to build this city. Maybe we all should stop arguing, and start learning, imagine the wonders that we could achieve! God Bless each and every one of you.
Jul 2nd, 2008
Konner
Agreed with MC there is no point to start a religious fight over a set of beautiful pictures that has nothing to even do with God really. enjoy the pictures and stumble on your ways….unless you like those pictures then keep looking in awe like i am. CALM DOWN and have a good 4th of july ;)
Jul 2nd, 2008
Mar
photoshopped.
Jul 3rd, 2008
paresh
interesting.
Jul 3rd, 2008
verynice
Shouldn’t Manhattan be called the Shibam of the urban desert and not other way around?
Jul 3rd, 2008
Alabaster Xnight
I do find this interesting, and while I find theological debate odd in this medium, and notice the tea pot between here and Mars is mentioned and not the pink invisible unicorn.
Stand on the shoulders of those more original than you, because despite your self-important patter.
Faith is a matter not of proof (reason is just a matter of mental force conforming to certain rules ie formalized mental violence), and only small dicked individuals are threatened by people believing differently than themselves. (That goes for the female of our species, as having a small dick isn’t good for anyone)
Jul 3rd, 2008
Pelagius
BillInDetroit appears to have swallowed the con that is religion hook line and sinker.
Guess what Bill? Nobody knows what happens after death. You could be living your entire life for a lie. You aren’t ever going to know until it’s too late…
Pictures are good, btw.
Jul 3rd, 2008
Happy Atheist
Hey BillinDetroit. Just because you can’t cope with the fact there is no life after death doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t.
Oh, and atheism doesn’t rely on hard evidence but on the absence of it for religious peoples’ bizarre beliefs.
Great photos by the way…!
Jul 3rd, 2008
God
I wish you guys would leave me out of this. You nonbelievers sure do spend a lot of time arguing over religion.
Who is more childish, the child or one who argues with a child?
Jul 3rd, 2008
str4nger
@Anonon:
“If I can chose to believe whatever I want than I chose to believe that there is no god and that it is my duty to tell you that.”
You don’t have to be a jerk about it like Dawkins.
Jul 3rd, 2008
Rich
It was “Anonymous” who came on and spouted his religious bullshit like it was fact that started this off. Keep all that jibberish for sunday and between yourselves.
Jul 3rd, 2008
Joshua
It was “Anonymous” who came on and spouted his religious bullshit like it was fact that started this off. Keep all that jibberish for sunday and between yourselves.
———————————
What difference does it make, Rich? If someone says something they believe why must you condescend them? Why is belief in God such an insult to atheist?
“Don’t mention God in my presence! I’m an intellectual one. I dare such people have an opinion of their own.”
Most atheist are so sure of themselves it could be mistaken for dogma. Speaking of childish behavior, the only ones I see cursing on here are atheists. Is that really the most effective way to make your point, guys?
Jul 3rd, 2008
Cedric
Hello all. Nice pictures !
About God, I’d like to say that I’m French and I’m an atheist, even if I’m a christian, I just don’t believe.
However, I really like mythical stories like in the Bible or in ancient Greece. IMHO it’s purely fiction but the fans got a bit carried away. ;-)
Jul 3rd, 2008
Joshua
Thanks for being respectable, Cedric. And not even one curse word either. I love being wrong about people.
Wait… you’re a Christian and an atheist? That’s new to me. But nothing really surprises me anymore.
Jul 3rd, 2008
Rich
Well Joshua the point is he was spouting his bible story as historical fact. You can say what you believe all you want in my presence. I just find the presentation of a mythical story as historical fact as distasteful and short sighted.
Again not the belief in God that is the insult its the presentation of his beliefs as fact.
Thats the point you’re mssing
Jul 3rd, 2008
goldman
when people with religion state opinion as fact:
“This is in the Ahqaf area, but God wiped them off and all traces of their existence when they disobeyed the prophet that was sent to them and asked the prophet Ad (peace be upon him) to bring forth the punnishment of God on them for not believing in God.”
it just annoys atheists and they need to speak up. My opinion is (rather than me saying ‘the fact is’) that Religion is a vice, a way of feeling better about yourselves. As intelligence increases so does the likelyhood of being athesist. Look it up.
Me, personally, i’m Agnostic - I still believe there’s a supreme power out there, but all of the religions have it seriously wrong.
I think i’m just in denial that there isn’t anything. I’m starting to lean towards becoming Atheist.
Jul 3rd, 2008
goldman
And GREAT pictures, by the way.
Jul 3rd, 2008
al
Wow, so much passion! The thing I find so funny is that this post (in a nutshell) is the reason why we haven’t figured out why were floating around on a rock in the middle of nothing! If people could for a second stop arguing about whose suposed God is real, we might find some really cool things out, like WTF are we all doing here! It doesn’t matter who put us here or how we evolved from gas and lightning (no joke people, do your research). If we stop spending money on M1 Abrams’, Oil Sands, Angelina Jolie, and 50 Cent, we might actually live l;ong enough(as a species) to figure some of it out.
Jul 3rd, 2008
al
Sorry, just a quick one. Does anyone else find it awesome that the holy site of Mecca, visited by countless numbers, contains the Kabaa, or holy black stone, which is actually a meteorite?!? I’m telling you, i’m going to start the Church of the Telescope. Time for some answers instead of meaningless rhetoric.
Jul 3rd, 2008
William blake
Why are you talking about god at all? This is a website depicting some interesting buildings with a unique history. Get over yourselves.
Jul 3rd, 2008
Seriously.
They are fantastic buildings. Absolutely incredible.
Anonymous was simply telling a story of the area. That whole region of the world is steeped in religious “history.”
There is nothing wrong with being an atheist at all. Absolutely nothing. While I subscribe to a different set of beliefs there is nothing wrong with yours. However the fact remains that a lot of the generally accepted history for that region is what is listed in several religious texts. Not just the Bible, the Torah and the Koran but also the Gilgamesh text. It’s actually quite fascinating.
In any case none of that is what this thread is about.
Those are some kick-ass buildings.
:-D
Jul 3rd, 2008
me.
I’m with William Blake.
Jul 3rd, 2008
CryptSphin
Astounding buildings, given their age.
Despite the fact that
they appear aesthetically simplistic I imagine they’re akin to architectural pornography.
Jul 3rd, 2008
weelibin
i completley agree with cryptsphin(- the x?)
absolutley incredible
ARCHITECTURAL PORN
Jul 3rd, 2008
God
Stop this blasphemy!
Jul 4th, 2008
BLABLABLA
Ya’ll are stupid. Some one call Tom Cruise to moderate this battle of god vs no god just to make it even more pointless to discuss. Nice pics btw
Jul 4th, 2008
XTIAAN
I love fairy tales and the bible is one of the best. I honestly envy people who can believe stuff like that just to make themselves feel better about dying.
Im fine with death, its just the people Ive lost along the way that i could use a toothfairy or god to make me feel better about loosing them
how many shopping days left till xmas btw?, he KNOWS if youve been naughty or nice,
hey that sounds just like god doesnt it…
Jul 4th, 2008
XTIAAN
and Im so getting an apartment here, Im thinking the chances are as good as something rent controlled in new york. Beautiful, these are skyscrapers that are still HUMAN.
if only i had a deity on my side who could perform lease and rent miracles…
Jul 4th, 2008
yuqing china
.
.
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WOW, this really makes people surprised at the culture, I liked it,
It coordinates the Google earth in this: 15 ° 55′36 .22 “N48 ° 37′34 .64″ E
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Jul 4th, 2008
Seed of the Earth
The universe is vast and filled with many wonders. As we are on the outer rim of the expanding universe there are certainly older and probably more advanced life forms towards the center but that doesn’t mean they are gods. When we create AI’s or even biological life forms (however rudimentary) do we consider ourselves gods? Would we demand that they fight and die for us? Would we consider ourselves responsible for giving them new life after they expire?
Jul 4th, 2008
Gaspar
I love this photograph. Why are the buildings in varied shades? Is that the color of aged mud bricks? Are there any close up shots or more detailed information on this city?
Jul 4th, 2008
Cindy
Great pictures! Awesome buildings… but sorry, I want to just say something:
I think anyone can say whatever they want, as long as they aren’t condescending (like a lot of people up there) or looking down at people with differing opinions.
Everyone’s entitled to their own belief system, their own opinions, and to talk to others with other beliefs with such disregard to respect and a sense of superiority is just disgusting. I suggest that even if you are atheist and don’t believe in anything, respect the fact that many people aren’t.
Most atheists hate it when Christians try to convert them, but isn’t this what atheists always do? They always try to force their beliefs on Christians and people of other religions, making it seem like it’s their duty to tell all people who have a belief to tell them that it’s not true.
All I really want to say it, RESPECT everyone around you, keep it clean, polite, and remember everyone can have their own opinion.
Jul 4th, 2008
Ta Mere
If you want to comment on god go to god.com (they accept donations too).
Taht city is amazing, props to the people of Hadramawt, Yemen
peace
Jul 5th, 2008
Atlantis
If god exists it has to be proven by repeatable observation, that is the way scientific fact becomes fact. It is a fact that god does not exist, there is many observations to verify this, therefore it the burden of believers/scientist to discredit this fact, if it possible to do so, by a repeatable observation.
Much like “Colleenmike” stated you can believe that a teapot circles the earth but that doesn’t make it true, in other words you would have to observe it and be able to prove it to others.
Jul 6th, 2008
Tiago
Get over it dudes, some believe there is a god some don’t. Get over it. When we all die we’ll see who’s right. In the meantime why not just appreciate these wonderful pictures?
Jul 6th, 2008
Anonymous
YAY!!!I LOVE THE INTERWEB!!!
Jul 6th, 2008
hozr
Everyone has the right to believe whatever they are compelled to believe. NO ONE has the right to belittle or attack ANYONE else in any fashion. You want proof of the existence of the divine? Fine. This work for both my wife (a rampaging atheist prior) and I.
The day our first daughter was born the surgical nurse place the wiggling little ball of bloody goo in my arms wrapped in a blanket. My baby stopped crying INSTANTLY and looked at me. She blinked twice and promptly stuck her tongue out at me.
There. See? BTW I am not joking on any account. The events happened and it really did prompt a spark of faith in both my wife and I. Proof that the divine exists. Just exactly what deity that is I can not say. For me and mine faith is personal and religion is a sin.
Stop fighting about belief. A beneficent creator would be outraged. A maleficent one wouldn’t care either way.
Jul 10th, 2008
cthulhu
hozr said, “Everyone has the right to believe whatever they are compelled to believe. NO ONE has the right to belittle or attack ANYONE else in any fashion.”
But, aren’t you attacking those who belittle and attack others, and telling them they have no right to believe they must do so? But you just said you didn’t have the right to do that!
:-/
Jul 18th, 2008
bob the mob
Arguing on the internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you’re still retarded. God doesn’t exist, and you’re stupid for arguing one way or the other.
Aug 18th, 2008
Sara
I am in love with these pictures. I live in NYC, so I can almost imagine what it’s like to live in such a crowded environment. However, the buildings of Shibam convey a beautiful, calm feeling as opposed to the hectic Manhattan building design.
Sep 11th, 2008
Lector
All hail Aten the one true god, or however you call the presence, be it Jehovah or Allah or numerous others they are all the same.
Do not try to look upon the presence as your eyes will be blinded by the light.
But you must believe as it flies above us each day of east to west, it never fails. It brings our light, our warmth, our food. It chases the evil nasty things that lurk in the dark away to their hide-e-holes where they cower in it’s glory.
This is our God, never forget and have faith that tomorrow he will shine on us again.
Sep 14th, 2008
Willis
This is why these “comment” things shouldn’t even exist. You aren’t even talking about the picture! You’re arguing with strangers a few words at a time! All of you, get a life!
Nov 16th, 2008
friedlinx
Mar is right…photoshopped…u can tell. So is god.
Nov 17th, 2008