Usually, I look at historical before and after photos to curse the name of Robert Moses (Why is the cross Bronx so ugly?!) but while some photos show the power of industrialization, others show how much doesn’t change.

There are depressing photos, like one showing the aftermath of wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii this past summer. On the more uplifting side, there are these amazing photos showing ancient artifacts and locales like Machu Pichu and the Parthenon that with historical restoration stand as if they have never aged.

Whether you feel the change is good or bad, these before and after pictures are affecting and a great way to start on a history rabbit hole. I am already two Wikipedia articles and three YouTube video essays deep on the industrialization of Bangkok, China.

Scroll down, history nerds!