Uncover the Best Ancient Ruins and Monuments Across the U.S.

When you think of American history, you might be forgetting that the continent has a huge, rich history that predates the United States by hundreds, thousands, and in some cases, millions of years! There are many great sites to explore, from colonial era findings to shipwrecks that are only a few hundred years old. Did you know some sites are more than a thousand years old, and even some with dinosaur fossils? Come with us and explore the best ancient ruins and monuments across the U.S.

The Great Serpent Mound (Peebles, Ohio)

The U.S. is home to many large earthworks created by ancient indigenous people. Several are serpent-shaped, and the one in Peebles is the largest, at 1,348 feet. The mound was likely built around 300 B.C.E. Today, the mound is home to a lovely natural park that is a joy to visit and explore.

Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado & Utah)

More than 800 paleontological sites make up the Dinosaur Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. You can see fossils and skeletons of Allosaurus, Abydosaurus, and many other well-known dinosaurs. It is an International Dark Sky Park where you can easily study the night sky. Dinosaur National Park is the place to be if you want to study natural history.

Navajo National Monument (Shonto, Arizona)

Canyons in Arizona were inhabited by Indigenous people for thousands of years, and the ruins of their civilizations can still be found there. The Navajo National Monument is made up of three exceptional cliff dwellings: the Inscription House, Betatakin, and Keet Seel. When you visit, there is a museum, a visitor center, trails, and special overnight guided hikes to Keet Seel.

Miami Circle (Miami, Florida)

The Miami Circle wasn’t discovered until 1998, but it is believed to be around 2,000 years old. The holes that make up the 38-foot perfect circle are believed to have been supports for a cone-shaped building of the time. These buildings were not uncommon in the eastern US, but this circle predates all others that have been found. You can see artifacts taken from the circle at HistoryMiami Museum.