Ait Benhaddou
Aït Benhaddou is a historic ighrem or ksar along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in Morocco. Considered a great example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture, Ait Benhaddou has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo is an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos-speaking Native American tribe of Puebloan people. It lies about 1 mile north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico. The pueblos are considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States.
Sanaa’s historic mud-brick buildings
Beehive Houses Harran, Turkey
Made entirely of mud or clay bricks, these buildings are designed to fence off searing heat and retain cool air. The dome-like structure topped with an opening is also functional, as hot air collects in the upper part of these houses and escapes through the aperture. The beehive shape of these abodes allows them to withstand earthquakes, violent wind storms, and seasonal heavy rains, which explains why they are still in use these days, thousands of years later.
Labe Khandagh Ecological Resort, Meybod, Yazd Province, Iran
A’arif Fort in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
Built with mud and clay around 1840, the A’arif Fort guarded the city of Hail in case of a possible enemy attack. Today, the fort is a landmark as well as the oldest historical building in Hail. People also observed the moon at the fort during Ramadan and fired a cannon to signal the breaking of the fast.
