Monthly Archives: September 2023

Lerner Family Fight: Father’s Actions led to Bankruptcy, son Says – The Real Deal

Posted: September 28, 2023 at 5:17 am

Chicagos Lerner family fight is rippling deeper into local real estate development deals.

Michael Nathan Lerner is seeking bankruptcy protection from a foreclosure on a Wicker Park apartment building he owns, the latest event in a series of legal disputes among members of his prominent Chicago real estate family.

In a Chapter 11 filing earlier this month, Lerner said that although the 25-unit property he owns at 1741 North Western Avenue is cash-flow positive, he had to seek bankruptcy protection due to the actions of his father, longtime multifamily developer Michael J. Lerner.

The elder Lerner is the founder of Chicago-based MCZ Development, which has a portfolio of apartment complexes in Chicago, Kansas City, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere.

The younger Lerner states in the filing that he and his father have worked in real estate for more than a decade and had agreed to evenly share the proceeds and costs of certain investments that the son owned, including the North Western Avenue building.

The filing alleges that Lerners father stopped paying his share of expenses for the properties, which has added up to more than $2 million, including $600,000 related to the North Western Avenue property.

Lerner states that the assets lender, Heartland Bank and Trust Company, refused to refinance a $5 million loan secured by the property despite having done so before, which he suspects is due to the creditors close business relationship with his father.

After the maturity default, the lender turned over the rights and interest in the mortgage to AEB Services, an entity controlled by a close friend and longtime business partner of the elder Lerner, according to the suit.

In the suit, Lerner added that the ongoing blitz of litigation from his father, a trust controlled by his parents and AEB have made it challenging to facilitate refinancing the property to satisfy his obligations to the lender.

An attorney representing Michael J. Lerner and AEB did not respond to a request for comment. Heartland did not respond to a request for comment. MCZ Development did not return a request for comment.

Over the summer, a lawsuit brought by a trust controlled by Lerners mother, Jamie Lerner, claimed that the son closed real estate deals without getting her permission when he was legally required to and that Jamie Lerner was entitled to receive half the proceeds from but never did.

Months earlier, Lerner privately settled separate litigation brought by his father that sought to usurp the sons equity in a $35 million Fulton Market development site sale to Miami-based developer Crescent Heights, which plans a 52-story, 587-unit apartment tower on the property at 420 North May Street.

A hearing in the sons bankruptcy case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday next week, court records show.

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Lerner Family Fight: Father's Actions led to Bankruptcy, son Says - The Real Deal

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Mercy Foundation asks court to clarify its role in bankruptcy – The Gazette

Posted: at 5:17 am

Mercy Iowa City is shown Aug. 7 in Iowa City. The hospital has asked its separate nonprofit foundation for $4 million to fund operating expenses, prompting the foundation to ask the bankruptcy court to clarify its power and obligations. , (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY Mercy Iowa City this month asked its separate nonprofit foundation for $4 million to help fund day-to-day operating expenses through its bankruptcy proceedings, and the foundation said no even as creditors without access to foundation resources insist the hospital should tap the foundation funds first, before draining the cash it could use to repay them.

In a court filing, the Mercy Hospital Foundation on Wednesday sought to have a bankruptcy judge clarify its powers and obligations.

The foundation noted in the filing that a committee of unsecured creditors along with secured bondholders which Mercy owes more than $62 million have asserted the foundation has violated or will violate the foundations bylaws if the foundation does not fund (Mercys) operational needs, or if the foundation does not assist in paying (Mercys) creditors.

The bondholders said in court Sept. 13 they had evidence of (Mercys) sole and absolute control over the foundation, according to the foundations complaint. In contrast, the foundation vehemently asserts that there is no control by (Mercy) over the foundation, the foundations assets are totally separate and distinct from (Mercys) assets, and the foundations assets may not be commingled with or included in (Mercys) estate.

During hearings both last week and this week, attorneys representing Preston Hollow Community Capital Mercys largest bondholder said the hospital is burning through resources available to pay back creditors who have both secured and non-secured claims.

Arguing against a two-week delay to discuss whether Mercy should be allowed to keep using the cash for daily operations that it could use to pay back his clients, attorney Nathan Coco said costs associated with postponement are steep.

A continuation of the final hearing for two weeks is a million dollars a week, which is a pretty steep price from our perspective with respect to our cash collateral, Coco said, urging the hospital use foundation dollars instead.

Attorney Megan Preusker, also representing the bondholders during a discussion this week about Mercys request to keep paying hefty sums for interim management services, noted, This is a case where the burn rate for estate professionals is averaging approximately $483,000 per week.

We have a proposed sale of substantially all (Mercys) assets for $20 million, yet the outstanding secured debt is in excess of $62 million and then there are pension and other liabilities as the court is aware, Preusker said. These are factors to take into account in assessing the reasonableness of a proposed compensation arrangement.

A bankruptcy judge agreed to both delay the discussion about Mercys use of cash collateral and allow Mercy to keep using ToneyKorf Partners for interim management, given some amendments to its compensation deal.

But bondholders and unsecured creditors have maintained their insistence Mercys nonprofit foundation has resources the hospital could and should be using.

In summarizing the debate, attorney Dan Simon representing Mercy noted that while the foundation is a separate entity unencumbered by Mercy Iowa Citys debt, with a separate board and separate attorneys, Mercy Hospital is the foundations sole member and as such has certain rights.

And the committee (of unsecured creditors) and Preston Hollow allege that (Mercys) fiduciary duties demand that they effectively empty the coffers of the foundation, Simon said. And even if the board of the foundation denies their request to do so, the hospital board should replace that board all made up of volunteer board members and override the decision of the foundation and then empty the coffers.

In seeking a court declaration on its rights, powers, and remedies, the foundation asked whether and under what circumstances and for what purpose it must respond to funding requests from Mercy Iowa City and the entities and individuals to which it owes tens of millions.

And it argued its mission directs it to help Mercy solely for charitable purposes.

While (Mercy) may seek funding from the foundation, the foundation has sole discretion in approving or disapproving (Mercys) requests and, in any event, the foundation is only able to partially fund some of (Mercys) capital needs from time to time and only for charitable purposes, but not to fund (Mercys) operational needs, not to make distributions that may result in private inurement, and not to pay (Mercys) creditors, such as the bondholders, the foundation argued in its court filings.

The foundation therefore posits it may, pursuant to its current bylaws, properly and legally deny (Mercys) request to fund (Mercys) operational needs.

Even so, the foundation in its complaint noted, Mercy has more liabilities than assets and its creditors will not receive full payment in (Mercys) Chapter 11 proceeding.

The foundation which, as of March, reported assets totaling $17.7 million, including $9.7 million without restrictions did not guarantee or co-sign on any of Mercys debts.

The bondholders do not have any guarantor or co-debtor claim against the foundation, according to that entitys court filing.

In summarizing the complaint in an email to employees on Thursday, Mercy President and CEO Tom Clancy and Chief Restructuring Officer Mark Toney said the foundation is seeking only legal clarity on its rights and the rights of the other parties.

The bondholders and the unsecured creditors committee have asserted in the bankruptcy case that the foundation should either willingly give up, or Mercy Hospital should force the foundation to release a significant portion of its assets to fund the bankruptcy and pay creditors, the administrators wrote. The foundation believes it has its responsibilities, and we recognize and respect its decision to seek legal guidance.

Despite productive discussions that, on some points, have resulted in consensual compromise, Mercy attorney Simon last week said there has been backroom discord serving as another reason to delay discussion on using foundation dollars vs. Mercys cash collateral.

There's been significant acrimony behind the scenes, he said. We want to bring the temperatures down I think it's time to put down our swords for a short period to redouble the efforts on a settlement.

With the deadline to submit bids on the Mercy assets moved to Oct. 2, and a hearing on how Mercy funds its operations on an interim basis moved to Oct. 3, hospital executives on Thursday told employees that prospective bidders other than the University of Iowa have signed nondisclosure agreements, are performing their due diligence, and have scheduled tours.

We are bound by confidentiality agreements not to disclose the names of any interested parties at this time, Clancy and Toney wrote. However, after the bid deadline passes, we can share the additional parties with you.

The executives also noted that senior leadership next week will host Mercys annual Medical Staff and New Physician Reception and meeting.

We will update our medical staff on the current situation and encourage them to continue to support Mercy Iowa City during these times, they wrote. This will be an opportunity for our medical staff (new and old) to meet, renew and build referral relationships for our future.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com

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Hot Ticket: What do bell bottoms, shrimp and ’90s rock all have in … – Galveston County Daily News

Posted: September 25, 2023 at 7:40 pm

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Hotspurs and Optimists make most of extra fixture in Boston indoor bows league – Yahoo Eurosport UK

Posted: at 7:40 pm

Victorious Hotspurs rink of Ted Woods, skip Mike Long & Yvonne Smith after winning 29-15 (Photo: Submitted)

Two teams taking ten points out of a possible twelve were Hotspurs and the new outfit, Optimists.

Hotspurs won 6-0 against Shipmates with two impressive displays, winning 29-15 on Mike Longs rink, supported by Yvonne Smith and Ted Woods, and 27-6 on Mike Nelsons, playing with Phil Exton and Rob Druce.

Mike Long and Ted Woods, this time with Trevor Higgs, were again very good against Vikings, winning 37-9 this time. Over both matches, Mike Long notched up 7 scores of 5 or more shots in a devastating run of form. Vikings skip Keith Posey won the second rink, a more balanced contest, by 21-14.

Optimists had a good week, taking all the points off Kingfishers and beating Phantoms 4-2 to score their first points. Ron Coaten, Marilyn Read with skip Stewart Reynolds won 16-10 and were always ahead a real boost to their confidence. The other rink, 9-11 down after 11 ends, won 25-11 with a run of 16 shots for Stan Lawrence, Judith Richmond and skip Andrew Reeson.

Against Phantoms, Andrew Reesons rink won again, 19-12. Roy Stanley managed his Phantoms rink to win 17-11. The extras for shot aggregate went to Optimists by a single shot.

Central still head the table after collecting eight points this week. They beat Amateurs 6-0, Fred Epton winning 27-10 convincingly and Rita Epton grabbing the win 16-13 with 6 shots scored over the final two ends.

They took two points from their match against Vectors, as Sandra Copeland controlled the game to win 18-10. Vectors skip Kevin Rockall had a good win on the other rink, 17-6, which also allowed Vectors to get the shot aggregate.

Desperados, second in the table, took 8 points from two 4-2 wins. Colin Louth, Dean Harris and John Melless won 27-8 against Phantoms, the other rink going to Graham Taylor, Phantoms skip, 17-12.

Colin Louth was skip as they won well again, 25-13, against Kingfishers. A tight battle on the second rink saw John Fell take 2 points for Kingfishers by winning 12-8 by virtue of a good closing run.

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Woodpeckers also had a brace of 4-2 wins by beating Amateurs and Vectors. Keith Motley skipped both their winning rinks, 18-14 against Amateurs and 19-8 against Vectors.

Mick Greet gave Amateurs a 12-10 win to provide some solace after a disappointing start to the season, and Colin Heppenstall saw Vectors home 17-11.

One round of matches in the Orchard Health Group First Division saw Holland Fen in commanding form as they took all the points against A40, winning Chris Gills rink 32-7 and Les Fearys 20-13.

Invaders and Strollers ended 4-2, largely as a result of Scott Whyers 30-17 win for Invaders. Andy Warne won the other rink 17-9 for Strollers.

Breakaways also won 4-2 against Dynamics, Mark Browns rink winning 21-14, Ken Burr taking the other for Dynamics, a close game, 15-14.

Jim Gott and Richard Allam skipped their IBC rinks to win 16-8 and 15-13 against Nomads.

Golfers and Parthians were closely matched to end 2-4, Graham Scarboro winning 13-10 and Keith Nix 14-10.

Royal Mail were too good for Burtons on the night, winning 32-7 and 16-9, for 6 points.

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Win Tickets to Journey’s Freedom Tour – WROR

Posted: at 7:40 pm

New England, Journeys Freedom Tour 2024 is coming to Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI and we cant wait to rock out with you!

Following the success of the 2023 Freedom Tour, legendary rock band, Journey has announced a new round of shows for their 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour 2024, featuring very special guest, Toto.

Grab your tickets HERE this Friday at 10:00 AM and get ready to rock all night on February 21st!

View contest rules

For the ' Win Tickets to Journey's Freedom Tour' Contest, enter between 11:00am on Monday, September 25, 2023 and 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, by visiting http://www.wror.com and completing the online entry form. Station will randomly select one (1) winner on Thursday, February 15, 2023 and upon verification, prize winner will receive a pair of tickets to Journey on February 21, 2024 at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, MA. The Approximate Retail Value (ARV) is $150.00. Up to one (1) prize winner will be selected as described. Courtesy of WROR-FM and Bowery Presents.

WROR-FMs General Contest Rules apply and are available by clicking HERE

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Win Tickets to Journey's Freedom Tour - WROR

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Super Group From The 80s Set To Play In ND In Early 2024 – US 103.3

Posted: at 7:40 pm

What an explosive year we have experienced in concerts all around North Dakota

Sure has been spectacular, hasn't it? All around our State people were traveling to catch an awesome show, heck from the North Dakota State Fair back in July - Five Finger Death Punch rocked the crowd. As always traditional outdoor Fairs, like the one in Fargo - Red River Valley Fair brought in Lynyrd Skynyrd and Shinedown. Bismarck and Mandan rock lovers are all set to head to the Bismarck Event Center and see Theory Of A Dead Man and Skillet on November 8th and don't forget when the Fargodome in Fargo blasted out the "World Tour" last month - Motley Crue, AND Def Leppard AND Mr. Alice Cooper. Wow. All I can say is "Get ready for early 2024 because a SUPER GROUP ( a couple of them actually ) will be performing in ND!

I'm still looking at this and thinking how HUGE this is going to be, check it out - early this morning ( Monday the 25th of September ) the Alerus Center Facebook Page put out this announcement:

JUST ANNOUNCED Journeys Freedom Tour 2024 is coming to Alerus Center and we cant wait to rock out with you! Grab your tickets this Friday at 10 AM and get ready to rock all night on Saturday, March 2nd!

For what seems like forever you have driven down the road and sung along to a Journey song on the radio ( it's okay to admit it ) - here is YOUR chance to see them live! Don't miss out!

How well do you know the logos of 50 of the world's most famous companies? Keep scrolling to see if you can guess which icon belongs to which brand.

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Super Group From The 80s Set To Play In ND In Early 2024 - US 103.3

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Rolling Stone issues statement on Jann Wenner controversy – NME

Posted: at 7:40 pm

Rolling Stone magazine has issued a statement following the recent controversial comments made by its founder Jann Wenner.

The founder faced a wave of backlash last week after an interview for his new book titled The Masters saw him conduct discussions with seven philosophers of rock, all of whom were white and male.

These included Bono, Bob Dylan, the late Jerry Garcia, Mick Jagger, the late John Lennon, Bruce Springsteenand Pete Townshend, and when interviewed by David Marchese of The New York Times, Wenner stated:

Joni [Mitchell] was not a philosopher of rocknroll. She didnt, in my mind, meet that test. Not by her work, not by other interviews she did. The people I interviewed were the kind of philosophers of rock.

He continued: Of Black artists you know, Stevie Wonder, genius, right? I suppose when you use a word as broad as masters, the fault is using that word. Maybe Marvin Gayeor Curtis Mayfield? I mean, they just didnt articulate at that level.

The comments soon sparked widespread criticism and led to Wenners removal from the board of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, which he co-founded.

Now, Rolling Stone, which Wenner stopped working for in 2019, has issued a public statement following the comments. It also confirmed that his personal views do not reflect those of the company.

Jann Wenners recent statements to the New York Times do not represent the values and practices of todays Rolling Stone, the statement on X read.

Jann Wenner has not been directly involved in our operations since 2019. Our purpose, especially since his departure, has been to tell stories that reflect the diversity of voices and experiences that shape our world, it added. At Rolling Stones core is the understanding that music above all can bring us together, not divide us.

Following his removal from the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, it was also reported that Wenner issued an apology for his comments during the interview with Marchese.

In my interview with The New York Times I made comments that diminished the contributions, genius and impact of Black and women artists and I apologise wholeheartedly for those remarks, he said.

The Masters is a collection of interviews Ive done over the years that seemed to me to best represent an idea of rocknrolls impact on my world; they were not meant to represent the whole of music and its diverse and important originators but to reflect the high points of my career and interviews I felt illustrated the breadth and experience in that career.

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O’Shea Jackson Jr. Talks The Time His Dad Ice Cube Pulled From … – CinemaBlend

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Think back to who your biggest hero was at the age of 12 for a moment. Now imagine what it would have been like to not only have lunch with that person, but to leave school early to do so. Thats what happened to actor OShea Jackson Jr. in his childhood, as his dad, Ice Cube, once set up a lunch between them and none other than Dwayne The Rock Johnson. While it can be cool to be a celebritys kid at times, Jackson admitted to being quite starstruck during that big encounter with his idol.

In an interview with The Kelly Clarkson Show, OShea started his story with learning he was being mysteriously pulled out of school early. The Cocaine Bear star eventually revealed that after wondering if he was in trouble for something so massive that his dad had to pick him up, he learned that they were having lunch with Mr. Johnson. That led to the big moment, as described by OShea Jackson:

So we go to this restaurant, we sit down [at a] big table. Here comes The Rock, all six foot-four of him, and he sits down, and I cant say a word. You have to prepare a child for when theyre about to meet their hero. I had nothing lined up! Im just staring at this man talking to my dad, and my dads nudging me like, Say something! And I just couldnt.

Thats probably how any 12 year old would react to having a moment with someone they idolize in the world of entertainment. This is also before some of Dwayne Johnsons best movies had even been made, as this lunchs presumed 2003 timeframe would have seen Johnson debuting The Rundown. Picture a contemporary 12 year old trying to speak with The Rock while eating a cheeseburger, and the result might still be something very similar to what was shared above.

Though OShea Jackson Jr. did happen to make a smooth move during his lunch with Dwayne Johnson. Despite freezing up in conversation, the young man was moved to snag himself a keepsake from this auspicious day, revealed in this further comment during that same interview:

When he paid for his meal, and the lady came and brought his change, I took a quarter. I took The Rocks quarter. I have it in a sandwich bag to this day.

Being the star that he is now, it wouldnt be all that surprising if some other celebritys kid had lunch with OShea Jackson Jr. and found themselves freezing up as he had so long ago. Though in this often cashless world we live in, one would have to get extra creative when it came to the souvenir theyd bring home. Its all just a firm reminder that no matter how close you are to fame in this business, people can still be star struck in the right circumstances.

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You can catch OShea Jackson Jr. in his recent performance for Elizabeth Banks Cocaine Bear, as the film is currently streaming for those with a Prime Video subscription. Plus, the 2024 movie schedule has even more fun for fans, as Jacksons return for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is slated to debut at some point in the year to come.

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Emma Watson just combined two of autumn’s biggest trends – Yahoo News UK

Posted: at 7:40 pm

Emma Watson combines two of autumn's big trendsGetty Images

When it comes to celebrities who prefer to stay out of the spotlight, Emma Watson is one name that springs to mind. We totally respect her wish for privacy, but it does mean that when she does make an appearance, all eyes are on her. Even more so because she always looks super chic.

That was certainly the case when Emma attended the Soho House Awards in New York earlier this month. Putting an elegant twist on the naked dress trend, the actress stunned in a subtly see-through Christian Dior dress that featured a crochet bodice and sheer pleated maxi skirt.

'Naked' dressing has been big news this year, but for her latest look Emma instead opted to channel two other trending aesthetics: preppy chic and stealth wealth. It's a timelessly sophisticated style that we're definitely hoping to emulate this season.

Spotted in Milan during the city's fashion week with her beloved dog Sofia in tow, Emma's monochromatic Prada ensemble consisted of a crisp white button-down shirt and a navy blue mini skirt with large gold buttons decorating its front. A white ribbed knit was draped around her shoulders.

As for accessories, Emma wore white patent kitten heel slingbacks on her feet and carried the Prada Bianco Arqu Leather Shoulder bag.

The office-ready, school uniform-esque outfit perfectly tapped into preppy chic, especially in the way Emma had styled her jumper as opposed to wearing it properly. Similarly, the muted colour palette and luxurious fabrics (come on, she's wearing Prada) nailed the stealth wealth, quiet luxury look as championed on Succession.

Her choice of a white bag and shoes further emphasised the latter point. It's not the first time we've seen Emma rock all-white accessories. In fact, none other than the Princess of Wales uses the same styling trick, using white accessories to give her outfit a polished and elevated finish.

Fancy imitating Emma's preppy chic/quiet luxury style this autumn? Here are some of the mini skirts we're shopping now to help us do just that...

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Can You Dig It? Discover 13 Archaeological Sites Off the Beaten Path – ARTnews

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September 21, 2023 3:04pm

There are many incredible archaeological sites around the world that offer records of the ways of life and beliefs of past civilizations. While a lot of them have become tourist meccas, such as Stonehenge, Pompeii, and Machu Picchu, others are more obscureand yet, the wealth of information they have to offer is not any less important or fascinating. Below are highlights of a bakers dozen of incredible sites that havent quite gotten their due.

The Domus Aurea, or the Golden House in Latin, was an ancient complex built by the Roman emperor Nero after the great fire of 64 CE destroyed a large section of the city, replacing Neros first palace, the Domus Transitoria. One of the most extravagant builds in Roman history, the complex boasted more than 300 rooms on three floors and occupied an area 25 times that of the Colosseum. The Domus Aurea includes numerous luxurious featuresincluding a huge golden dome, ceilings inlaid with semiprecious stones and ivory, mosaics, frescoes, and rooms lined in white marble. Ostensibly used as a pleasure palace to host Neros parties, the Domus Aurea came complete with its own pools, fountains, artificial lake, vineyards, cornfields, and forests. Unfortunately, funding Neros lavish lifestyle came at the cost of Roman citizens. It was later seen by his successors as both a moral failure and an utter embarrassment and was gradually built over; after more than 20 years of on-and-off restoration, the Domus Aurea is open to the public.

The Nazca Lines, in southern Peru, are geoglyphs, or large-scale drawings etched into the landscape using natural materials. These geoglyphs depict more than 1,000 straight lines, geometric figures, animals, and plants and are believed to have been created by the prehistoric Nazca people between 200 BCE and 600 CE. They can be viewed from high above by airplane, where one might see drawings of a monkey, hummingbird, lizard, and orca. There are several theories about the Nazca geoglyphsthat they depict deities, are a form of irrigation, or are a calendar with astrological alignmentsbut their original purpose is ultimately unclear.

Tdai-ji temple (Great Eastern Temple) was the largest building ever completed in Japan when it was erected under Emperor Shmu in the 740s. Its construction, which signaled the arrival of Buddhism in Japan from India, brought together some of the most skilled craftspeople in the country and was intended to show the power and prestige of the imperial house. A special tax that funded the structure, however, was not popular among the people. The temple was rebuilt in the 12th century and is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. In its main hall sits a massive bronze Buddha statuea 17th-century remake of the 282-foot-tall originalthe largest of its kind in the world today.

One of the largest excavated sites in the Americas, the ancient Mayan city of Tikal is nestled among the trees of the Guatemalan rainforest and covers at least 47 square miles. The city flourished from around 300 to 800 CE and was inhabited by 60,000 to 100,000 people. Most of the buildings unearthed at Tikal were constructed during the eighth century CE. Notable structures include a ceremonial center with step-pyramid temples, palaces, public squares, and ball courts. Though Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts marched past the area in 1525, the citys ruins remained concealed beneath natural vegetation and werent rediscovered until the Guatemalan government sent out an expedition in 1848. It remains unclear what ultimately caused Tikals decline.

Leptis Magna was a prominent city in the Carthaginian and Roman empires, situated in present-day Libya. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the seventh century BCE and was later subsumed by the Carthaginian Empire around 650 BCE. When Rome conquered the Carthaginians during the Punic Wars (264146 BCE), the city became a colony of the Roman Empire. In the second and third centuries CE, Roman emperor Septimius Severus, who was born in the city, expanded it and spent lavishly on such structures as the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Severan Basilica. Rivaling Carthage and Alexandria in Egypt, Leptis Magna became one of the greatest cities in North Africa. Later, however after a tsunami and several invasions, the city fell into decline, and by 1000 CE it had been absorbed by the city of Al-Khums.

Ggantija, or giantess in Maltese, is a megalithic temple complex located on the island of Gozo in present-day Malta. Local legend says that these freestanding limestone structures, some of which are more that 20 feet tall, were built by giants. Estimated to be approximately 5,500 years old, the complex would have been constructed using only the basic stone tools and techniques of the Neolithic period. Archaeologists believe the temples may have been used by an ancient fertility cult. Among the oldest freestanding monuments in the worldyes, even older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramidsthey are UNESCO protected.

This partially excavated burial mound in northern Syria may be the worlds oldest war memorial, dating back to the third millennium BCE. Tell Banat stands at 72 feet tall and is known as the White Monument because the material it is composed of, gypsum, glistens in the sun. While it was originally thought to contain enemy remains, later research showed that a portion of the burial site may have been designed to honor the Mesopotamians own fallen warriors. The bodies of the deceased were placed directly into the earth and were organized according to each persons military rank.

Anyone interested in Pompeiithe ancient Roman city enveloped and preserved in volcanic ash following the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuviuswill be rewarded by a visit to its neighbor just 11 miles to the northwest, nestled between present-day Naples and Sorrento, Italy. A smaller, wealthier version of Pompeii, Herculaneum was a residential city at the base of Vesuvius that was home to roughly 4,0005,000 elite citizens from Rome and Naples. While it suffered the same fate as Pompeii, the ruins of this costal retreat are better preserved, with rich frescoes, furniture, intact upper floors, and original wooden balconies. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This more than 1,000-year-old ancestral Puebloan site sits hundreds of feet above the valley floor in San Juan National Forest in Colorado. With more than 200 homes and ceremonial dwellings, it once housed several thousand Chacoan people and boasts incredible views. The architecture was laid out to align with the sun and moon. A great kiva, a pit house, a multifamily dwelling, and a Chacoan-style great house pueblo are among the sites most notable man-made structures, overlooked by the landmark Chimney Rock itself and the smaller Companion Rock. All lie within the Chimney Rock National Monument created by President Obama in 2012.

Immortalized in Homers epic poem The Iliad, which chronicles the end of the Trojan War, the archaeological site and former city of Troy in present-day Turkey boasts more than 4,000 years of history. Located on the coast of the Aegean Sea and close to the Dardanelles Strait, its remains serve as evidence of the first contact between the Anatolian and Mediterranean civilizations. Twenty-four excavations conducted over the past 140 years have revealed numerous notable features from different periods in the citys history, dating as far back as the Bronze Age, including 23 sections of defensive walls around the citadel, 11 gates, a paved stone ramp, and the lower sections of five defensive bastions.Other highlights include prehistoric settlements and cemeteries, the temple of Athena, a Roman agora and concert hall, Hellenistic burial mounds, Roman and Ottoman bridges, and monuments from the Battle of Gallipoli.It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1998.

The ancient Greco-Roman city, located in what is now Jordan, is one of the 10 Decapolis cities where Western culture mixed with Semitic and Persian civilizations. In 63 BCE the Romans took over (though they allowed the city substantial self-rule), after which time the city rapidly expanded in size, significance, and wealth. It continued to flourish even during changes of powerfor example, when the Persians took over in 614 CE. When a massive earthquake hit Gerasa in 749 CE, however, the city was partially abandoned, which contributed to its decline. Less than 50 miles from Jordans current capital, Amman, it is today one of the largest and best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Highlights include Hadrians Arch, the Temple of Artemis, and the forum.

This former capital city in Peru, named after the civilization that built it, contains the adobe ruins of two temples dedicated to the moon and sun:Huaca de la LunaandHuaca del Sol. The complex boasts decorated walls and striking multicolored friezes. TheMoche civilization flourished between 100 and 700 CE at the foot ofCerro Blanco (white hill)near present-day Trujillo. Though the ruins have sustained damage, first from Spanish conquistadors and then by local tomb raiders, you can still view elaborate frescoes and architecture. The Moche unfortunately died out around 500700 CEhastened, it is believed, by extreme weather conditions including earthquakes, drought, and flooding.

On the island of Santorini in Greece, Akrotiri was an ancient Minoan settlement roughly 50 acres in size, established during the late Bronze Age. Not unlike Pompeii and Herculaneum, the village was wiped out and preserved in ash following a volcanic eruption in 1628 BCE. Its citizens were luckier, though: Akrortiri had been evacuated ahead of the eruption. The site boasts many features such as an elaborate municipal drain system, multistory buildings decorated with wall paintings, furniture, and ceramic vessels. Excavations began at the site in connection with the construction of the Suez Canal in 1867 and were taken up again in 1967. Today the excavated areas are enclosed in a climate-controlled structure.

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Can You Dig It? Discover 13 Archaeological Sites Off the Beaten Path - ARTnews

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