Mind Blown

Oxford University is older than the Aztec civilisation.

What we know of the ancient Aztec civilisation of Central Mexico is fascinating. The discovery of its ruins, deep in the jungle, by Indiana Jones-type archaeologists adds to its mystique. Visitors to museums displayingAztec exhibits are awestruck by the relics of the Aztecs' past, which include intricate calendar stones and representations of the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl.

The city of Tenochtitlán was founded by the Mexica people at Lake Texcoco in 1325. Tenochtitlán was captured by Spanish conquerors in 1521, a mere 196 years later.

While this civilisation is most definitely old, it hasn't got as many candles on its birthday cake as one of the oldest learning institutions in the world Oxford University in England.

Take a walk around Oxford University and the signs of its longevity are everywhere. As the first university in the English-speaking world, Oxford is a unique and venerable institution.

There's no clear date of foundation, but some form of teaching existed at oxford from as early as 1096. Some of its current professors even look like they were teaching back then, too...

By 1249, Oxford had grown into a fully-fledged university, complete with student housing. Its three original halls of residence were University, Balliol and Merton colleges.

Today it has produced 58 Nobel Prize winners and 27 prime ministers and is often cited as the best university on the planet.