This article is about the structure in Age of Empires. For objects in Age of Mythology, see Statue.
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Ancient structures built by now-lost cultures. Ruins can be a victory condition or increase your score.
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—In-game description in the Definitive Edition
Ruins are megalithic structures in Age of Empires that can only be acquired when they appear within the Line of Sight of a unit. The color of a civilization corresponds to the color of the owner of a specific ruin.
A random map may contain five Ruins or none. Once all of the ruins are acquired by a certain team or player, the countdown to victory starts with 2,000 years (which is five minutes in the real world). If an opposing team or civilization does not acquire a ruin within the time frame, the player or team with all ruins wins the game. Control of Ruins counts toward the player's score.
Ruins are ancient structures resembling Stonehenge that were built by now-lost cultures and bring prestige to the civilization that controls them. Ruins cannot be moved.
Although the in-game stats reveal the hit points to be 1, they are actually indestructible.
Any unit that approaches unclaimed ruins automatically convert it to the player's color once it appears in the unit's line of sight. Consequently, units do not have to be right next to the ruins in order to claim them.
If a player maintains the ownership of ruins, other players have to approach it in close range regardless of the line of sight in order for the ruins to change their ownership.
House · 
Temple · 
Government Center · 
Wonder
Town Center · 
Dock · 
Storage Pit · 
Granary · 
Market · 
Farm
Aqueduct · 
Army Tent · 
Barricade · 
Chain · 
Colosseum · 
Granary · 
Great Pyramid · 
Hut · 
Ruins · 
Trade Workshop · 
Yurt
Barracks · 
Archery Range · 
Stable · 
Siege Workshop · 
Academy
Watch Tower · 
Sentry Tower · 
Guard Tower · 
Small Wall · 
Medium Wall · 
Fortified Wall · 
Small Gate · 
Medium Gate · 
Fortified Gate
Zenobia's Tower
