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History is what defined our civilization and will do so hundreds of years later. Written stories and famous artifacts have done the most to keep the records of humanity alive. Since you can’t change historical facts, famous ancient artifacts are here to support them and resolve the disputed ones. For this reason, a lot of historic artifacts are, one way or another, irreplaceable. But what makes an artifact valuable enough that it becomes so famous?

The most renowned artifacts are the ones that left a mark on the history of humankind. There are a lot of ancient artifacts that date back thousands of years before the rise of modern society. Modern ones are more creativity-based. From paintings to bells, a lot of them are considered cultural artifacts due to their significance to the local populace. These artifacts define the history of the culture that created them and humanity. The more pristine the condition — the more fame they will garner.

So, if you are like Indiana Jones, looking for historical artifacts, not in some ancient archaeology sites, but on the internet, you can call off your search! We have created a list of the best examples of artifacts that are famous all around the world. Look at the list below and expand your historical knowledge. If an artifact piqued your interest and you have never heard about it, be sure to upvote it. If you’ve heard about the listed artifact and would like to share more — leave a comment below!

#1

The Oseberg Ship (Year 820)

The Oseberg Ship (Year 820)

The Oseberg ship is an ornate Viking vessel made of oak that could be sailed or rowed. It was constructed in Norway around 820 AD and was discovered in 1904 in a large burial mound at the Oseberg farm near tønsberg. It is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved Viking artifacts ever found.

Petter Ulleland Report

DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow....this would be amazing to see in person.

Trond Øien
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is. I highly recommend it if you're ever in Norway but the exhibition is closed at the moment as a new museum, Vikingtidsmuseet (The Museum of the Viking Age), is being built. It's scheduled to open in 2026. The 3D renderings of the new displays looks awesome. You can check it out here: https://www.vikingtidsmuseet.no/english/

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Stephen Smith
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From cutting down the tree to putting the last piece in place, no power tools used. Someone built that today with power tools, and you would say what a great craftsman they are. I can only worship the Viking that built this.

Trond Hermansen
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a recently built replica called Saga Oseberg. It was built using only period tools after laser scanning the original ship and "tightening up" the model on a computer.

Synsepalum
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The wind blows through my hair And fills our sails with hope and pride Caress these lines of Oak, wind Do not throw us all aside -- Forsberg Quorthon

Crybabyartist
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow he had great English for being a foreigner such a long time ago!

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Irina
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

reminds me of the ship in charlie and the chocolate factory!

Mimi La Souris
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and we persist in presenting them as a primitive culture of barbarians during the dark ages

Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever is calling the Vikings nothing more than primitive barbarians truly needs to do some historical research.

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Nothing_To_See_Here_Folks
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love to know where is this, if anyone knows

Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Oseberg Ship was originally on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, Norway. Unfortunately, the museum is temporarily closed and will reopen in 2026 as the "Museum of the Viking Age" if they places the boat in another museum while they are rebuilding: https://www.khm.uio.no/besok-oss/vikingskipshuset/index.html

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Jane W.
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw this in person. You can know nothing about boats, and still find this fascinating---I walked around and around it, and kept seeing new things.

Edda Kamphues
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen it and it's mind-blowing.

Trond Øien
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The exhibition is closed at the moment as a new museum, Vikingtidsmuseet (The Museum of the Viking Age), is being built. It's scheduled to open in 2026. The 3D renderings of the new displays looks awesome. You can check it out here: https://www.vikingtidsmuseet.no/english/

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Exploring artifacts that date thousands of years and learning about them feeds our natural curiosity but it is even more interesting to chat with people who are experts in the field. 

That is why Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Brian L. Hackett, an associate professor at Northern Kentucky University who has a special interest in museum exhibits and from 1992 to 2004 was responsible for the day-to-day management and development of historic sites as executive director of the Montgomery County (Ohio) Historical Society. 

RELATED:
    #2

    Terracotta Army (246 BC – 209 BC)

    Terracotta Army (246 BC – 209 BC)

    Unlike other historical artifacts, this funerary gift cannot be slipped into a sarcophagus or placed in the corner of a tomb — it consists of over 8000 statues of soldiers, statesmen, horses, and carriages. These clay soldiers were life-size and highly realistic, even holding functional weapons until curators replaced them for safety and preservation. Although only ten different facial models were used, each soldier appears to be unique.

    David Stanley Report

    K- THULU
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haven't been to China, unfortunately... ( a unfulfilled life long dream.) But viewed 5 examples from this site in the 1980s when they came to Australia. The skill that went into their creation is mindblowing!! The individual faces, and the details of the armour is incredible.... And the horses!! Wow, they were amazing!!!! I've seen a lot of archeological exhibitions in my time but the Chinese ones were the greatest of them all.... Led to a lifetime fascination with asian history....

    Adam Jeff
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'holding functional weapons until curators replaced them for safety' - were they worried the soldiers were going to come to life and start kicking a*s?

    Ottawa
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They had just watched The Mummy 😂

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    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The tragedy is that these models retained their incredible bright paintwork, but we just couldn't wait to unearth them and now all of those pigments are faded and lost. I they had just been left undisturbed for a few more decades then the technology would have been available to preserve them in their full glory.

    Dregvic
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They actually began the making and creating of the army at the beginning of the reign of the first emperor. He was 13 at the time. His actual tomb is about the size of a soccer field and still sealed as they're terrified to open it and kickstart the decay and deterioration of whatever is inside

    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So they have learned from their mistakes! Cool. Bet they are dying inside of curiosity. I know I would.

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    Ramirez rachael
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My grandma visited this tomb and said it was the most ornate and giant tomb she has ever seen! It was breathtakingly detailed!!!

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The thing that gets me about the Terracotta Army is that though many parts of their uniforms and weaponry is mass-produced in molds, every face and its hair are different.

    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This must be absolutely breathtaking to see in person. I've only see photographs, but cannot imagine the scale.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw some of them 30 years ago when they were exhibited in Edinburgh

    Lady of the Mountains
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I belive it was done with a technique called coiling- stacking up rings of clay of different sizes to get the silhouette, smoothing the together, and adding details. Even if they only had ten models, they could still mix and match features pretty easily to make lots of different options

    Agnieszka Oleszkowicz
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember that every each of them has unique hairstyle, the face expression and even their clothes are different based on research done.

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    #3

    Book Of Kells (9th Century)

    Book Of Kells (9th Century)

    This four-volume Gospel book from the ninth century is Ireland's most famous medieval European manuscript, thanks to its rich decorative illuminations and masterful calligraphy. Its pages are filled with beautiful illustrations of people, animals, mythical beasts, and Celtic knots.

    ajay_suresh Report

    Elizabeth Elliot
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The animated film "the Secret of Kells' is really good.

    Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah it is. The same production company as The Triplets of Belleville and Song of the Sea.

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    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On display at Trinity College in Dublin, fabulously hand painted and richly coloured

    Honu
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have kindly provided access to look at digital images of it as well. https://digitalcollections.tcd.ie/concern/works/hm50tr726?locale=en

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    Mimi La Souris
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the creators of his marvels of illustration must have worn out their eyes with so much finesse

    Honu
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The British Library have kindly provided access to look at some pages of it here: https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/lindisfarne-gospels

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    Patricia Stilwell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I saw the actual Book of Kells, I was astonished at how small it was. I expected a huge volume.

    Patsy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We used to get print outs of Book of Kells colouring book pages in school for art. They were my favourite, I loved (and still do) colouring in really detailed pictures.

    Colin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just received Berard Keehan's hardcover Book of Kells which covers the art, history and includes detailed pictures of the book. Fabulous addition to my library at home.

    Edda Kamphues
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dublin's Trinity College Library, if I remember correctly.

    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's actually a calligraphy exemplar. I don't know of any other calligraphers who don't have this font down pat.

    divj
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it just means that all of those existed at the time!

    Stephen Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So mythical beasts do exist, they told me I was mad, they have to believe me now :)

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    Scientists discover artifacts and share the joy of finding something new that uncovers a part in human history because they were once lost and are now the only link to a certain time and place. It always is a wonder how entire cities can be lost and we just built new ones on top just to dig up everything once again to find ruins or someone’s shoe.

    Dr. Brian L. Hackett gave us an idea how such artifacts get lost, “Sometimes they are lost just like if you were to lose your cell phone or your house keys. Other times, people deliberately hide things then forget about them or pass away before the items are recovered. There is a time in the life of an artifact where it goes from cherished and useful, to outdated and worthless, that is when objects get lost or discarded.”

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    #4

    Bust Of Queen Nefertiti (1345 BC)

    Bust Of Queen Nefertiti (1345 BC)

    The Nefertiti Bust is a sculpture of the ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti, the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled in the 14th century BC. It is easily one of the most recognizable ancient world artifacts. The artifact is shrouded in mystery, controversy, and celebrity. Some believe she was a foreign queen, while others believe she ruled as Pharaoh after her husband passed away or that they ruled together.

    Giovanni Pracucci Report

    Alexia
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This amazing artifact belongs to the Egyptian people, and it should be returned to them.

    Deidre Westover
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's arguable that they aren't the same people.

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    Susan Atkinson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What makes this bust especially important is the fact that Nefertiti's successor ordered all likenesses of Nefertiti to be destroyed or damaged beyond recognition. Send her back to Egypt and resurrect her lifetime accomplishments.

    Kirsten Kerkhof
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The thing is that when you see the bust in real life in the museum (if you are ever in Berlin, go see it) you don't even notice it. Which is weird since a missing eye is usually so obvious. Even in the souvenir versions they sell you can really tell, but in the real bust you somehow don't notice.

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    ADHD raptor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    omg, im in social studies right now and the topic we just went over was about Quees Nefertiti

    LeeAnne B
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everytime I see this bust, I always wonder about her origins. She has such a beautiful demeanor.

    nensi voj
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ...it Is in Germany, in Berlin national museum, ....those informations should be stated Here, in the following text...

    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Read The Search for Nefertiti by Dr Joann Fletcher. Awesome book, couldn't put it down!

    Edda Kamphues
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's currently at the "Neues Museum" inBerlin and just as breathtaking in real life as in the pictures.

    Synsepalum
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If anyone is looking for a great, quick read, check out Akhenaten, Dweller in Truth by Naguib Mahfouz. It's amazing.

    Jane W.
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Almost doesn't matter who she was---it's a wonderful work of art.

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    #5

    Rosetta Stone (196 BC)

    Rosetta Stone (196 BC)

    During Napoleon's Egypt campaign in the early 1700s, a group of French soldiers discovered a large, inscribed stone slab at Rosetta. Egyptologists quickly got to work on understanding the inscriptions. The slab and its accompanying text, which originally belonged to a temple, can be traced back to Ptolemy V's reign. The Rosetta Stone's discovery was most notable for its potential for reading Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

    Hans Hillewaert Report

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact, the Rosetta Stone is just one of the -possibly many- copies of the stone that existed at the time, but as of know the only exemplary known of that specific text. It's named "Rosetta" after the anglicization of the name of the city where it was discovered, Rashid: the stone was preserved only because it was reused as construction material for the ancient city walls. The text is a royal decree, and it was supposed to be posted in many major temples and cities to let people know about the latest political news (in this case, the Memphis priests accepting king Ptolemy V as the legitimate Pharaoh).

    Jihana
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you for this infos. Much appreciated!

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    Annik Perrot
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And that's how Hyeroglyphs were first deciphered, by French scientist Champollion, because the same text was written in three langages, one of them ancient Greek, that he could easily read.

    Mimi La Souris
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "don't walk on the grass" - "no camines por el césped" - "ne marchez pas sur la pelouse" - "Gehen Sie nicht auf den Rasen" - "la tamshi ealaa aleushb" - "Bùyào zǒu zài cǎodì shàng"

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The same text appears in 2 languages and three scripts. As scholars could read the Greek, they were able to figure out the other two - Ancient Egyptian demotic, and ancient Egyptian heiroglyphics

    Peter Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Deciphering hieroglyphs took many years of work and the Rosetta stone did help but superb scholarly work was the main way it was achieved. There is currently an exhibition at the British Museum about unlocking hieroglyphs with a great many exhibits including the Rosetta Stone and many of Champollion’s original records.

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    Kris92
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is just a funny thought, and there might be an intentional reason for it, but seeing the hieroglyphs becoming smaller and smaller makes me think that the person making this, suddenly realised that they were running our of stone. ("S**t s**t s*****t!!!")

    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s the exact reason. This is not a « beautiful » text (poem, psalm, prayer…) that would require some embellishment. This was a « technical » text that took more room than anticipated but that did not justify to start over.

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    Dubsτep🅱️lade NS
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve read Kane Chronicles. You can’t stop me or my knowledge.

    Mulberry Juice
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rick Riordan was what got me interested in ancient mythologies and civilisations

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    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, this is the stone that has the same text in 3(?) different languages written on it, making it possible for modern humans to understand said languages, isn‘t it? As a kid I wanted to be an Archiologist or Historian, because of things like this.

    Fred L.
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now if we could have another one to decipher Linear A please ...

    Irish Lassie
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And here I thought it was only used for learning different languages 🫣 (yes…showing myself out now)

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    #6

    Mask Of Tutankhamun (1323 BC)

    Mask Of Tutankhamun (1323 BC)

    Possibly the most famous ancient artifact from the Egyptian world, the funeral mask of King Tutankhamun is a stunning fragment of both history and art. While the burial site was discovered in 1922, it took three more years to open the sarcophagus of the young ruler and transport it to the museum. The sculptor also used different materials when producing the piece, ranging from lapis lazuli to amazonite.

    Roland Unger Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The craftsmanship alone leaves me in awe.

    JEON CENA
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right?! Doing that only by hands, tools and your mind. While I can't even draw a nice tree on Paint

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    Mabelbabel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On Tutankhamen's breastplate, there is a huge yellow-green gemstone in the centre. Howard Carter, the archaeologist who found the tomb, thought it was chalcedony. But it was tested a few years ago and it's glass. It was found in Libya, and the theory is that this Libyan desert silica glass was formed aeons ago when a meteor hit the desert. In the heat of the explosion, the sand melted and vitrified, forming yellow gem-like stones.

    Stephen Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen this many years ago when it was on show in the museum in London, it was worth the trip.

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw it at the Egyption Museum in Cairo about 15 years ago. Almost unbelieveable.

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    LapCat
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I took my 13-yo daughter to Egypt this summer to visit our relatives, and we went to the museum this is kept in. It’s a dark, separate exhibit isolated from the main corridor of the museum. Several of Tutankhamen’s artifacts including his mask are in there. And no cameras allowed in there.

    Patricia
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw this IRL on the last day of 1979 at the Art Gallery of Ontario, along with loads of other beautiful golden things from Tut's tomb. Unforgettable!

    Shark Lady
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some experts believe that it was originally being made for someone else but it was hurriedly changed for King Tutankhamun when he died unexpectedly.

    Doctor Strange
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact! The mask no longer travels with the exhibit because the gold was so finely polished the protective wrappings were actually marring the finish.

    Greg Stewart
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How long must they be dead for it to go from "Grave Robbing" to " Archeology"??

    Helen Bala
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just saw this beauty in person! Amazing ♥️♥️♥️

    MotherofGuineaPigs
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw it in the 70s as a kid when it was on a tour of museums - it's awe and beauty does not diminish.

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    But to us those things hold huge value as they tell us the story of how our ancestors lived, what their values were and what a long way we went from there. There were lots of important discoveries made such as finding Tutankhamun’s burial site, the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Terracotta Army that had huge cultural and historical meaning but that doesn’t mean that it’s the end.

    Just as we know that only 5 percent of the ocean’s floor is explored, Dr. Hackett is convinced that humans barely touched the surface of the evidence left behind by our predecessors and adds that you don’t need to go to a historical sight to uncover something, “Incredible discoveries are always being made not just in tombs, forgotten caves and deep forests, but also in attics, basements and even museum collections. Lost artifacts are all around us, you just need to be aware of the possibilities!”

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    #7

    Aztec Sun Stone (15th Century AD)

    Aztec Sun Stone (15th Century AD)

    The Aztec Sun Stone, also known as the Aztec calendar, is a 24-ton sculpture carved in the 15th century to honor the Sun god Tonatiuh. It is now housed at Mexico's National Museum of Anthropology and has appeared on a lot of modern products. The five successive Suns from Aztec mythology are depicted on the Aztec Sun Stone.

    Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Glad to know it's in Mexico's museum...not someone else.

    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On the other hand, the Spaniards destroyed almost every written book that they found in North, Central and South American. Maybe five books remain of hundreds of thousands of written texts and drawing created by the the civilizations of the Americas. As bad as what the USA did to its indigenous people, it pales in comparison to the evils of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires, aided and abetted by the Catholic Church.

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    Cathy Jo Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is an item worth visiting. The entire anthropology museum is an fabulous place to visit, but if you're short on time, definitely go see this.

    Mike Fitzpatrick
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    24 tons, it would take a helluva nail to hang THAT puppy on the wall.

    N G
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the original jammy dodger

    Daniel Gómez
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not Aztec, it's Mexica... Aztecs were the nomadic predecesors of the Mexicas, becoming so when they settled on lake Texcoco and built Tenochtitlan. Aztecs were nomads, Mexicas were not, and this artifact was made by the latter.

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The National Museum of Archeology is like the Smithsonian in that there's too much to see in a single visit. I went three times and could have gone a fourth but the exhibits I didn't get to see were on loan to another museum.

    DubMaccaT
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also for sale in Luthen’s Gallery on Coruscant. Not sure of the price.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it was taken from Tenochtitlan (sp?), the Aztec capital, where the pyramid of the sun is the largest structure

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    #8

    Lucy, Addis Ababa (Lived 3.2 Million Years Ago)

    Lucy, Addis Ababa (Lived 3.2 Million Years Ago)

    Nothing says old like a three million-year-old artifact. Happily named Lucy, she supports evolutionary theory and significantly contributes to our understanding of human origins. Lucy's skull and bone fragments represent 40% of a female hominid who lived 3.2 million years ago. Lucy set the stereotypes of women from three million years ago.

    Ji-Elle Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lucy, we learned so much about her at uni. When we went on field trips to the forest to collect biological samples we'd joke and say we're gonna look for Lucy. Lol

    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The bones here are casts of the originals. The originals are safely locked away in a vault in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

    Kate Haslam
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They go on tour. I met her at the Bower Museum several years ago.

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    Marco Marques
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact: it was named Lucy because at the time of it´s discovery, Beatle´s song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was playing in the radio!

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She was called Lucy because the radio was on when the Leakey's found her - playing the Beatles "Lucy in the sky with diamonds". I saw her in Addis Ababa, she is tiny.

    madeline tansey bryson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do religious people think about things like this when they believe we have only been around for 2023 years

    VikingAbroad
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'religious people' is a bit of a wide category here. I'm religious, I'm Christian, and yes, I recognise that evolution was and is happening.

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    Doctor Strange
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun Fact: Lucy was most likely an alligator or crocodile kill, which is why so much was preserved. They like to drag their prey under and 'cache' them for later. If it never came back for her and the silt covered her, she'd have been fossilized in near complete condition.

    Colin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    3.2 million years old...definitely the apex cougar at the bar today lol

    Cindy Brick
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't a fair amount of this skeleton 'rebuilt?' (i.e., guessed at)

    jevais
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So woman are built like Chimpanzees? This skeleton is definitely not human.apes would be by now so sort human like.. Apes haven't evolved into humans as far as I know.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had I put any thought into it, I’d have thought bones are biodegradable and yet we keep finding bones that are millions of years old. Does anyone know why they don’t break down? They seem to last longer than plastics!

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    #9

    Antikythera Mechanism (205 BC – 100 BC)

    Antikythera Mechanism (205 BC – 100 BC)

    The Antikythera Mechanism is an enigmatic artifact. Archaeologists only realized the significance of the artifact two years after its discovery. Based on the ancient Egyptian calendar and the familiar zodiac system, the mechanism consists of multiple gears that, when rotated, reveal specific details about the date and the positions of the Sun and Moon.

    Marsyas Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It always amazes me how people made these things and how they mapped and followed the position of the Sun and Moon. It must have been so amazing to see them do this.

    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you search for the channel Clickspring on youtube, you can watch a man make a copy of the Antikythera Mechanism using period-correct techniques.

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    Purple Gurl
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And yet-we dare call these societies less advanced

    तुझी आई
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kinda looks like the vault doors from Fortnite

    Lee Henderson
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why have they never found a second (or more) Mechanism?

    HARRY KOPPERS
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And feast days, and it was good for 6 years before it needed to be reset. If you're a mechanical geek, youtube it.

    Cafesinner
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The reconstructions and X-rays on Google are cool!!

    Zina Monceaux
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was no social media, TV, Cable or even top 100 bestsellers to read. They worked from scratch. There was no one who did this & wrote opinions or “rules” about how these things should be done. I don’t question them. I wonder about now & how things are discovered & explained

    jevais
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So women are built like Chimpanzees? This skeleton is definitely not human, apes would be by now some sort human like.. Apes haven't evolved into humans as far as I know.

    Deborah Rubin
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Science channel did a nice piece on this.

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    Also, many of those great discoveries are accidents and while sometimes historians and archeologists have something on their mind of what they want to find and can look for clues, “many discoveries are by chance. You might be looking for one thing and end up finding something unexpected. It's times like this that make the work exciting.”

    In that case any of us can be discoverers and researchers playing Indiana Jones. Dr. Hackett actually encourages it, “The stuff of history is all around us, one just needs to look. The Holy Grail can be found anywhere. Just be open to the idea that things are meant to be discovered and the best is yet to come.”

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    #10

    Sutton Hoo, England (6th - 7th Centuries AD)

    Sutton Hoo, England (6th - 7th Centuries AD)

    Sutton Hoo, in the east of England, is the location of several early medieval cemeteries, including an Anglo-Saxon ship burial, one of the most remarkable archaeological finds ever discovered in the United Kingdom. Archeologist Basil Brown discovered the remains of an 86-foot-long (27 m) ship loaded with treasures inside the mound and the skeleton of a long-dead Anglo-Saxon leader.

    Ziko-C Report

    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Watch The Dig, on Netflix. Sweet movie.

    Tony James
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Alternatively, watch Detectorists - the mask gets a cameo in a discussion about sheds that will hit you right square in the Feels.

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    Mulberry Juice
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In England, we have a hill whose name literally translates to hill hill hill hill. We aren’t good at naming things. Like the Boaty McBoatface incident

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    Bill Marsano
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Brown was an amateur and, in the English class system, a nobody. For decades the credit for his find was attributed to upper crust, university-educated experts. All is explained in the movie 'The Dig,' with Ralph Fiennes (as Brown) and Carey Mulligan as the melancholy war (and terminally ill) widow who hired him to excavate ancient mounds on her property, encouraged him and protected him and his finds from the 'official' archeologists who considered him a hapless bimpkin..

    Jennifer Brown
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen this is person and it is unreal!

    Tyler
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it even has a built-in moustache

    Greg Stewart
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ....and don't forget to give me a mustache on my mask....

    Peter Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes this is a reconstruction. The original is in the British Museum and although not as impressive there is no doubt it did look like that when first made.

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    Michael Mckeon
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a cool helmet I bet all his buddy's were jelly

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    #11

    Venus Of Willendorf (24,000 BC – 22,000 BC)

    Venus Of Willendorf (24,000 BC – 22,000 BC)

    Venus of Willendorf is the female icon of the Ice Age. The four-inch-tall figurine has prominent private parts but no feet or facial features. Braids, or perhaps a knit cap, cover her head, and pigment spots indicate that the tan limestone artifact was once red. The figurine was discovered in 1908, about a week into excavations at Willendorf II, an Austrian site along the Danube River about 50 miles from Vienna.

    MatthiasKabel Report

    OnAFreakingRollercoaster
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey! Who gave them permission to make a sculpture of me ?! /S

    Ansi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's the curse of being the beauty of the ice age era.

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    Sora
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Dag nabbit, children! How come every time you come in here, you gotta be asking me questions that I shouldn't be answering?! 'Chef, what's a clitoris?' 'What's a lesbian, Chef?' 'How come they call it a rim job, Chef?' For once, can't you just come in here and say 'Hi, Chef. Nice day, isn't it?'” — Chef, South Park, Season 4: Fat Camp

    Mariele Scherzinger
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw this at the Natural History Museum in Vienna. First of all, it's a very small statue which would fit into my cupped hand. Also, you can still see traces of red clay in its recesses.

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It does give a sense of intellectual vertigo to see it though. And I sometimes torment myself with the question, should it be in the natural history museum or the art history museum?

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    Belle Miles
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally. A realistic perception of Woman.

    Jean
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, they say these are fertility icons. I bet one of these days they will find they were just an iceman version of a centerfold.

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    Allison Riley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These figures are believed by some to represent pregnant bodies. The name Venus was also used derogatorily.https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.art-critique.com/en/2020/12/venus-figurines-shaped-by-climate-to-help-women-survive-pregnancy/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwir7pXjr738AhW5mGoFHVSoAwUQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw2i22l5mndlr82b1kgZ64-z

    Allison Riley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/what-did-the-venus-of-willendorf-originally-represent

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    Lady of the Mountains
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So this is a fertility symbol. They found lots of similar ones. It was one of the earliest full round sculptures (meaning it was a 3D figure) and also designed to be portable, perhaps for luck with having children. You may notice the little holes, the most prominent one being the navel, but those were not entirely intentional. They are from a material that was in the limestone and fell out when it was being carved. The fact that one of them was conveniently at the navel shows that the sculpter planned ahead with this project, showing intention and skill, which hints at the possibility that this may have been a career, and thus demonstrating early economy.

    Batwench
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, I have a body of a goddess.

    Katy McMouse
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just realized that this reminds me of an ancient Cartman.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have found several other female figures from the European ice age, if I remember correctly only one has a face

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    There is so much potential to find something and there are so many mysteries to solve but the expert wouldn’t dare to guess what the next big find could be. Although based on previous discoveries he believes “it will be in the least likely place. Some kid will find it while hiking with his dog, or some archivist will discover a new letter she overlooked before.”

    Such crazy stories truly happened before, “Someone finds an original copy of the Gettysburg Address inside an old book, a Picasso on the wall of a rented apartment in Chicago, or an early photograph of Edgar Allen Poe at a garage sale.”

    #12

    The Divje Babe Flute (50,000 BC)

    The Divje Babe Flute (50,000 BC)

    The Divje Babe flute is a piece of a cave bear's femur, perforated with spaced holes, and is approximately 50,000 years old. As people's perceptions of Neanderthals shift from barbaric, uncivilized brutes to more educated individuals, there is widespread agreement that the Divje Babe flute is a musical instrument. Discovered in a cave in Slovenia in 1995, the Divje Babe flute might be the oldest musical instrument.

    Petar Milošević Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not quite. It's the oldest *discovered* musical instrument.

    Red
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, might be the oldest manufactured instrument, but the actual oldest music instrument is the voice. It's hard to date and study how the voice began to be used as a musical instrument, since ancient vocal chords aren't preserved, but studies show that humans used to imitate animal sounds, which is considered the most primitive form of singing. That imitation, which is made up and unnatural to the human larynx, made new sounds possible and might have served as an evolutionary tool.

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So it wasn't just us 4th graders....apparently everyone has been plagued with learning the recorder.

    anon panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Legally she shouldn't. But she probably physically could.

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    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry, but it's far more profound than "As people's perceptions of Neanderthals shift from barbaric, uncivilized brutes to more educated individuals". What do they even mean by "educated". Is the writer claiming that paleontologists believe that Neanderthals have libraries and written histories? The Neanderthals never had anything that was similar to "civilization" in the modern sense, but then again, when they went extinct, neither did sapiens. The shift is in realizing that Neanderthals were similar to sapiens in having culture.

    RedMarbles
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, "intellectual" may have been a better word based on definitions.

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    Tony James
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tried this. It was completely useless at picking up babes, although when I went outside there were a whole lot of really p*ssed-off bears.

    Claire Baire
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if they sounded as good as the kids in the 70's

    Elaine Dodge
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you want to know what it sounds like when played: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZCWFcyxUhQ&t=16s

    Elaine Dodge
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #13

    Galileo's Telescopes (In Year 1609)

    Galileo's Telescopes (In Year 1609)

    Everything Galileo Galilei touched is famous in some way. He changed the understanding of the solar system and contributed a lot to the founding of modern astronomy. He did that using mainly his telescopes. Galileo's telescopes are some of the most famous artifacts there are.

    Zde Report

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The original wood and leather telescope preserved in Florence has a magnification of 22X. As a comparison, today you can buy a kid's telescope for 20$ that can be capable of 40x or even 60x, and hobby telescopes can go up to 600x for less than 100$.

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Interestingly, the upper telescope shown in the image was the second telescope ever built, but the first practical projector and the first helioscope. In 1610 Galileo modified his telescope with a lens that allowed the telescope pointed to the sun to project the image on a white paper placed about 1 meter / three feet away. He then took observations of sunspots and flares from the projected image.

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    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For his discoveries he was castigated by religious fanatics and imprisoned. Sure glad we live in enlightened times where that doesn't happen anymore, right? Right?

    BG
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like overkill just to see a little silhouetto of a man.

    ImATotalTina
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or to get your head on the block for looking up the truth (different song)

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    Dinah Brand
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like they should be displayed more grandly. This pic makes it look like they're hung on plastic hooks, on peg board.

    2WheelTravlr
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are in the Galileo museum in Florence, one of my all-time favorite museums! Everything is displayed very well for the best possible views without potential damage to these extremely rare artifacts. If you're not able to visit, their app is amazing and includes more information, videos, and close-up photos of most of the displays.

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    While major discoveries might happen by accident, historians and archeologists will still conduct research and choose somewhere to start from, “There are many hot fields of research right now.  In my particular area of study, much history has been ignored, such as African American History, Native American History and other neglected subjects. This offers a world of history to be discovered.”

    If you don’t hear about new knowledge about our past being discovered, it doesn’t mean that historians and archeologists are vacationing, “We are discovering the stories and related artifacts on subjects like the Underground Railroad, Slavery and the private lives of individuals. In other fields discoveries have been made in Egypt, Central America and Eastern Europe.”  

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    Actually there is so much action going on that the historian thinks “we are on the edge of a new age in discovery!”

    #14

    Dead Sea Scrolls (300 BC – 100 BC)

    Dead Sea Scrolls (300 BC – 100 BC)

    The Dead Sea Scrolls are an ancient manuscript collection discovered in the Qumran Caves near the West Bank. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which consist of 981 pieces of textual evidence in total, are among the most famous ancient artifacts of all time. The manuscripts were stored in fortified clay jars and were preserved by the dry Qumran climate.

    Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) Report

    David H
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Read Dr. Lawrence Schiffman on this, he is the greatest living expert on the dead sea scroll and an expert on ancient Judean history

    Jacob B.
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was "assumed" (and I won't get into the debate too much) it was texts preserved by the Essence sect. Some are now saying that theory was a bit premature. And have to consider the possibility that they may very well be from the Jerusalem Library.

    crazy_stupid
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also includes the tetragrammaton - the actual personal name of God

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    Jane Hower
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the Catholic church, who has them, as YET to let the rest of the world know what's written in them. They don't want us to know about reincarnation. Those parts were removed by Constantine in order to better control the people. But a few versus slipped by his editing - like when Jesus asked his decuples "who do men say that I am?" and they said Elijah or Elias - now why would he ask that and why would they give those answers if they DID NOT believe in reincarnation, as did the Essenes of the Jewish faith.

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    #15

    Machu Picchu (1420–1530 AD)

    Machu Picchu (1420–1530 AD)

    Machu Picchu, one of the most visited archaeological sites on the planet, is a 15th-century Inca site perched high on a mountainside in Peru. In 1911, the late Hiram Bingham III, a Yale University professor, rediscovered the site. Until then, the ancient ruins had escaped the notice of Spanish conquistadors and settlers. Many archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was once the royal estate of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, an Inca ruler from the 14th century.

    Zielonamapa.pl Report

    Chunkapp the Squirrel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Replying so you guys can see the image (which is a very neat image indeed)

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    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is on my ever growing list of amazing historical, cultural, and environmental sites that I need to visit.

    Vicky Reptile
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's one of the most stunning places I've ever been. Try to catch the sunrise there whenever you go, it's magical.

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    Xenia Harley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is hard to see from this photo, but some believe the 3 "worlds" of the Peruvian cosmology are represented at Machu Picchu. The Condor with outstretched wings is easy enough to see, almost central in this photo. It represents the upper world. The mountain in the background, to the right, looks like a crouching puma, or the middle world, while the building in front of the condor is taped like a caiman, the lower world. The condor is pulling the caiman, or the lower world, into the middle, bringing all levels together. We dwell in the middle world.

    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I found a place like this I'd immediately become an old man. "Hey you kids, get the hell off my significant archaeological discovery!"

    Cathy Jo Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I haven't been here yet; my Peruvian fiancé and I are hoping to visit this coming summer, if the situation in Peru has calmed down. However, even if we can't get to Machu Picchu, I would certainly return to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. There are many, many interesting places to visit in the Sacred Valley, plus Cusco is a delightful city.

    Vicky Reptile
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the food! Peruvian food it's AMAZING 😍

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    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The guy did not « rediscovered » the site. It was abandoned but perfectly known to the locals who knew precisely where and what it was, and even went there sometimes. He was just the guy who made it public - and took all the credit, how surprising.

    Gareth Williams
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been there, no photos ever do it justice.

    Israel Martinez
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is believed that there are small statues of creatures there that, when struck by electricity or lightning, come to life ... they're called Munchies ...

    Jesse
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it's only still there because the colonisers couldn't take it away /s edit: added tone tag

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    So while we wait for new announcements about lost cities, important people’s tombs and ancient secrets being discovered, let’s remember what we already know. Which of the artifacts in this list you found the most fascinating and surprisingly well preserved? Are there any other artifacts that weren’t on this list but are no less impressive? Let us know in the comments!

    #16

    Lycurgus Cup (4th Century AD)

    Lycurgus Cup (4th Century AD)

    The Lycurgus cup is a mythical Roman cage cup depicting King Lycurgus. Its color changes depending on the light that shines on it. It is the only complete Roman object made of this glass type. It was built in the fourth century AD around 1800 AD, a gilt bronze rim and foot were added, and in the middle of the 19th century, the Rothschild family purchased it. In 1957, the British Museum purchased the cup.

    Marie-Lan Nguyen Report

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The real relevance of this artifact is the glass it's made of. It's dichroic glass, a type of glass that has silver and gold particles mixed in the paste. Lycurgus cup is the oldest example and one of the few remaining to testify the Romans knew this manufacturing process, which was lost for centuries until the Venetians reinvented it while creating the Avventurina glass. The technology stayed in the art realm for five centuries, until it was perfected for use in the US Space Program (mostly for the suit face visor and satellite equipment), and is nowadays very common for optics and lamps production.

    Mani Lacao
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for all your interesting comments, very instructive

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    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    … the fourth century AD; around 1800 …

    Stephen Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes a very confusing statement. I looked it up, it is 4th century, so about 1600 years old, not 200 years old (1800 AD).

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    Bunny
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like he's in hell.

    Wendy
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Breathtaking!

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    #17

    Cave Of Altamira (14,000-18,500 Years Ago)

    Cave Of Altamira (14,000-18,500 Years Ago)

    An amateur archaeologist and his young daughter discovered the prehistoric paintings that adorn the walls of the Cave of Altamira in Spain in 1879. The Paleolithic drawings, created with charcoal and natural Earth pigments, depict bison, aurochs (a type of extinct wild cattle), horses, deer, and the outlines of human hands. Scientists believe these drawings were made just as humans began to settle down in northern Europe.

    Museo de Altamira y D. Rodríguez Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That would have been so amazing to discover.

    Ugh_What_Now
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "extra" lines you're seeing aren't mistakes, or blurs from their methods either. When exposed to flickering light, such as a fire, these paintings look like they're moving. Basically, ancient animation.

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True. I visited Lascaux 2, which is a perfect copy, and it was lit by electric candle light, utterly mesmerising.

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    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And, they recently discovered that there are dots next to the animals which seem to correlate with a lunar calendar.

    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read that as well. It is also interesting to note that the dots corresponding to the lunar month of that animal's mating (or calving) season was proposed by a non-professional researcher!

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    fair_weather_rose
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I have a really cool book about this! It's a kids book, but it rells the story from the perspective of the girl! I don't remember the name, though.

    gerard julien
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Lascaux is a network of caves near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne in southwestern France. Over 600 parietal wall paintings cover the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. The cave contains nearly 6,000 figures, which can be grouped into three main categories: animals, human figures, and abstract signs. The age of the paintings is now usually estimated at around 17,000 years (early Magdalenian). Lascaux was inducted into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. The original caves have been closed to the public since 1963, as their condition was deteriorating, but there are now a number of replicas." lascaux-63...5d8656.jpg lascaux-63bfc205d8656.jpg

    Sophroniel
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They've used them to understand what species of bison/buffalo/auroch existed at that time and what sorts of features were most important, and they now think some were drawn in a way that they look like they're moving in candle light, as well as have the parts to target with a spear/the animal's weak points most emphasised, possibly as a teaching tool for children and young people.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are amazing, I was there a few years ago

    Jane Hower
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But they don't like to show us the drawings of dinosaurs because they were supposedly all gong before man arrived. hmmmm

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    #18

    The Pyramidion Of The Black Pyramid Of Dashur (1820 BC)

    The Pyramidion Of The Black Pyramid Of Dashur (1820 BC)

    Pyramidions were created to be the capstones of ancient Egyptian pyramids, and few have survived into the present day. This one was discovered in the rubble near the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Dashur. The Pyramidion Of The Black Pyramid Of Dashur is in relatively good condition, with legible inscriptions on all four sides.

    Jon Bodsworth Report

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    #19

    The Voynich Manuscript (15th Century AD)

    The Voynich Manuscript (15th Century AD)

    This 15th-century codex, dubbed "the world's most mysterious book," is written in an unknown script by an unknown author. The purpose of the book, as well as a translation of the text, has eluded investigators to this day. The manuscript contains "lively" illustrations that appear to encompass several scientific topics. The manuscript's origins are still unknown, with some claiming it's a hoax and others claiming it's the work of aliens.

    en.wikipedia.org Report

    Blada DeBlejd
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Manuscript comes from Prague, Charles university, now belongs to Yale University.

    Historyharlot93
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or it might be the creative ramblings of a schizophrenic author. Some schizophrenics are known to make up their own languages and make fantastical drawings. We think of all mentally ill people in the past as being chained into dungeons (it happened sometimes). But they were real people with families that loved them and wanted them to be safe. So perhaps they gave their son this blank book to keep him safely occupied?

    Laura Gillette
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The mystery was solved several years ago. It's a guide to women's health, mostly plagiarized from various other popular health books of the time. It wasn't written in code, it was written in a type of shorthand that would have been easy for anyone of the time to understand, but that style of shorthand fell out of fashion and people forgot how to translate it. Kind of like the way people today write in LOLspeak and emojis, but hundreds of years from now, it will be something else. Link: https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/09/the-mysterious-voynich-manuscript-has-finally-been-decoded/

    Tina Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Laura Gillette - Thank you for the link and information. I read about the manuscript years ago, but didn't know it had been deciphered. TIL...

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    Emptycaketin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine if it was a joke book that some dude made back then, deciding it would be hilarious to make weird pictures and sentences into a book that made no sense just so someone could puzzle over it centuries later.

    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or some monks got high and made a bet that they couldn't create a book that looked real and was entirely nonsense. In the 14th century, opiates + wine were considered a good way to prevent death from the Bubonic plague, so...

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    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tried reading a passage from this last year. My brother has been a frog ever since.

    Domi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You know, scientists were and are always different.😀

    Thomas Ewing
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A bored scholar with a LOT of time on his hands made this to keep others guessing. An historical prank.

    Deb Smith
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why does that sound like a "Far Side" sketch?

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    ImATotalTina
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was little, if I was trying to write words I couldn’t spell, it would all be scribbles and I’d make it up on the spot when I read it to people. In the future, when archeologists find my letters, will they be the second most mysterious books?

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    #20

    Rapa Nui (11th - 17th Centuries AD)

    Rapa Nui (11th - 17th Centuries AD)

    Rapa Nui, Easter Island, is best known for its 1,000 giant "head" statues — moai. They were carved and erected between the 11th and 17th centuries AD. The figures, oversized heads atop long torsos, range in height from 6 ft (2 m) to more than 30 ft (9 m), with one unfinished moai on the island standing more than 65 feet (20 meters). The moai were built by a group of Eastern Polynesian settlers who arrived on the island around the first century AD.

    Bradenfox Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe it was used to scare away colonizers. They'd see it in their telescopes...which wouldn't be HD quality and think....damn those are some giant people. Then again...knowing some history they might actually think....damn those are some giant people, we need one for a circus back home. Sigh.

    Vic
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup! * Looks thought telescope *.. * orgasms in British *

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    Ugh_What_Now
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonder if it was some sort of right of passage. 🤔 Choose a stone, carve yourself, and once complete you're an adult/warrior/protector etc. After all, while similar each one varies in height and features. (Also, I'm aware of what archeologists suggest their meaning is... but that remains hypothesis to this day)

    JEON CENA
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if one day we would know their true meaning

    Thatkamloopsguy
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I look at the short statues I always think of Big Ed from 90 day fiance.

    Mr. Cinder
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What if they are like the Terra Cotta army and are protecting a Polynesian King.

    crazy_stupid
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Easter Island's world cup squad 2022

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    #21

    Pompeii (7th – 6th Century BC)

    Pompeii (7th – 6th Century BC)

    In 79 A.D., an erupting Mount Vesuvius engulfed the Roman city of Pompeii in a cloud of volcanic gases and debris. The city and its inhabitants were buried beneath a layer of pumice stone and ash 19 to 23 ft (6 to 7 m) deep. Pompeii remained undisturbed for over a thousand years until an architect named Domenico Fontana came across the ancient Pompeii residence while working on a construction project.

    Qfl247 Report

    Almostfoxlike
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Its actually been buried several times as locals would think the volcano dormant and rebuild. Also, fun fact, there are male members EVERYWHERE. Pompeii had to be the h******t city ever.

    Ugh_What_Now
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah, sexuality hadn't been Christanized yet in the area... so to speak. People were open minded about it, their bodies, and many other things. We just get to see some dyucks in Pompeii because the volcano stopped the city from being torn down and built up. But otherwise, the entire society from coast to coast... enjoyed themselves.

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    Nothing_To_See_Here_Folks
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ive been there, feels unreal, the statues of the victims were so disturbing yet fascinating to me

    Guinevere89
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an archaeologist it was the most horrifying and amazing sight I've ever seen. The tourist trap it's become was heart breaking. Much prefer to visit Herculaneum

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    Mariele Scherzinger
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was there, I was suprised to see all those homeless dogs roaming through the ruins.

    Guinevere89
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And if you followed the penises on the road slabs, they would point you to the brothel :)

    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am fascinated by it too, but I have seen moor corpses as a young teen during a school excursion and it traumatised me, so I don‘t think volcanic corpses would be a thing I should go and have a look at.

    C Lawson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where was the school excursion to? Reason I ask is because in a high school biology class we went to the anatomy lab at the University of Kentucky and saw some in different stages of autopsy/teaching purposes (these were cadavers of individuals that wished to be donated).

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    #22

    King Tut's Tomb (1332 BC)

    King Tut's Tomb (1332 BC)

    A team of archaeologists led by British Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the Egyptian pharaoh's lavish burial chamber in 1922. Tutankhamun rose to power at nine in 1332 BC and passed away nine years later. His untimely demise could explain why the pharaoh's tomb appears rushed. Microbes discovered on the tomb's walls suggest that the wall paint was not even dry when the tomb was closed.

    EditorfromMars Report

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tutankhamun's importance is only from his tomb, one of the few -and by far the most relevant- to be found unopened and untouched by grave robbers. The pharaoh himself was unassuming and died very young, so his tomb was rushed and the next pharaoh used the tomb's grounds to build his far more magnificent and large pyramid, incorporating Tut's tomb basically in the cellars. For this reason the tomb was overlooked by grave diggers and found with all the original furniture.

    Smogul
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What are you on about? Tutankhamun’s tomb is in the Valley of the Kings near Luxor, aka no pyramids 😂 wrong time and wrong part of Egypt… it wasn’t found because it was so close to another tomb.

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    ADHD raptor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i cant wait for cleopatras tomb to uncovered, maybye our children will be able to see it in theyre life time! (IF PEOPLE WOULD STOP KILLING THE EARTH)

    Lady of the Mountains
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It wasn't even entirely his, it was originally a high ranking officials tomb who agreed to give it up to be finished for king tut. The particular archeologist who found the tomb also stole some times from it outside of his agreement with the Egyptian government. They are still tracking down artifacts from the tomb that have been turned into other jewelry peices.

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was reading about the wife of the guy who bankrolled the expedition and was on the team that found the tomb. He had told Howard Carter he was done 9due to bad health) and Carter convinced him to do one more year.

    Bill Marsano
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Carter's sponsor cand partner was the 5th Earl of Carvavon of Highclere Castle (the great house used as the setting of Downton Abbey). Last, the release of Highclere Castle gin celebrated the centennial of the Earl/Carter partnership (quite appropriately, as the Earl was a notable drinker).

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    #23

    Ur Ram (2500 BC)

    Ur Ram (2500 BC)

    One of the most famous artifacts from the ancient world is the Ram in a Thicket — two figurines depicting a ram perched up over a bush. They were discovered in 1928 at the Royal Cemetery of Ur, an important archaeological site in modern-day Iraq. Ram in a Thicket denotes advanced crafting ability for its time. They were made from such materials as gold, lapis lazuli, copper, and wood.

    Benjamin82877 Report

    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder whether this connects to the later myth of Abraham being told to sacrifice Isaac. After God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, God showed Abraham a ram with its horns caught in a thicket.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how much of Ur remains after so many years of conflict

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought it was a huge insect about to crawl up something. Had to zoom in to see the horns and beard. Creepy!

    Belle Miles
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like pickled baby corn and paper mache'

    Khall Khall
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if it was a 'fertility' symbol. There's some...allusions there that seem curious.

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    #24

    Nebra Sky Disc (1600 BC – 1000 BC)

    Nebra Sky Disc (1600 BC – 1000 BC)

    Found on accident by amateur treasure hunters, the Nebra Sky Disc's significance was soon revealed by professional reviewers. The disc has golden dots behind two larger plates shaped in circular and crescent forms. This scene depicts the sky with a sun, moon, and stars. Later in the artifact's life, a few more plates symbolizing the solstice were added, indicating that the disc was used to learn about astronomy.

    Frank Vincentz Report

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "amateur treasure hunters" were looters operating illegally, who damaged and sold the artefact on the black market. It took years of research and legal proceedings to recover the artifact and make it available to the public. Another onslaught of legal issues came when the state claimed copyright on this 3500 years old work of art on flimsy basis.

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where & when was it discovered? What state (assuming you mean a government)?

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    Phil Green
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    FFS! "Found BY accident..." What does "on accident" even mean? This is a beautiful artifact, one I had never heard of before.

    Stephen Smith
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Back in 1000BC if you wanted to take a patent out, you had to do a mock up of what you had to patent. So Mr Thictyous Emojious made this to take to the patent office. Since then we have named them after the inventers name, so we now call them a Emoji.

    basil (as in razzle dazzle)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the oldest surviving astronomical chart in Europe

    Jrog
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not only in Europe. at 3500-4000 years old, it's the oldest surviving representation of astronomical phenomena in the world.

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    G'ma B
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was found by accident, by amateur treasure hunters … ,

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    #25

    Sydney Rock Engravings (+3000 BC)

    Sydney Rock Engravings (+3000 BC)

    Aboriginal Australians were known to have created detailed designs on rock faces, which have since become some of the most famous ancient relics, and had been living in the area as far back as 28000 BC. It's hard to say when these works of art were made, but most historians agree that they originated between 3000 and 4000 BC, during the late Neolithic period.

    Sardaka Report

    Domi
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Talent, since I can't even draw a fish on paper. They carved it in stone.

    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It might be possible that they traced an actual fish before starting the engraving process?

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    Michael Mckeon
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The way they're done is by placing the fish on the rock, then peck out dots around the fish, remove fish for dinner, connect the dots. Some have spears pointing in the direction the fish was caught. You can photograph these but some sacred sites can't be just visited by anyone. I live right near these carvings and teach cultural education in a behavioural school, I'm a Proud Dunghutti man.

    Rigor Moreno
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They caught a fish and traced it on the rocks... Maybe? :D

    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    28000BC … is that number right?

    Michael Mckeon
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The ones petroglyphs around the Sydney area are about 40,000yrs old. The further north you go the older they get the artwork in NT is 60,000+ yrs old. The sandstone around Sydney is unique in how soft and easily it can be carved. These type of carvings are littered throughout the bush areas around Sydney, Illawarra and the Central Coast. I often take students out and teach them about them.

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    Hobby Hopper
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aren't you not supposed to photograph aboriginal art?

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    #26

    Babylonian Map Of The World (900 BC – 700 BC)

    Babylonian Map Of The World (900 BC – 700 BC)

    This famous ancient artifact is an early depiction of the world, as known by the Babylonians around 900 BC. It is typical of old-world maps in that it centers on local features, such as the Euphrates, and then expands outwards. The Babylonian Map covers neighboring cities with accompanying labels, followed by an ocean and several landmasses beyond it.

    Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) Report

    El Dee
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We still do that. Whatever country you live in will be in the centre of the depiction of the worls shown to you at school etc..

    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am the centre of the universe. From my own perspective.

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    Tyranamar Seuss
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not seeing all that in this little thing. Are we sure we've got the right picture?

    Sophroniel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They didn't make it true to life as it wasn't meant to represent place and the world in the way we think of maps in the modern era. It was a conceptual drawing to enable the viewer to place locations and places of importance in space reliative to one another, not specific distances or anything tho.

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    #27

    Nazca Lines (500 BC)

    Nazca Lines (500 BC)

    The Nazca Lines are geoglyphs (large designs produced on the ground) located on the coastal plateau of Peru. Most of them were created by the ancient Nazca people between 500 BC and AD 500. The mysterious lines were never "discovered," as they are visible from nearby foothills and were likely observed by people before they were brought to the general public's attention.

    Diego Delso Report

    Salam Payne
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spider-Man.. I know your handwriting .

    Panda Kicki
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only to have one of the most prominent lines destroyed by Greenpeace... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/10/peru-legal-action-greenpeace-stunt-nazca-lines

    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where is the claim "it's aliens"? PS. the claims that "it's aliens" are mostly based on basic racism. Any amazing achievement by non-Europeans before European contact is always attributed to "aliens".

    Mingo Contraventum
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A fertility god, maybe. Rather a well-developed s*****m.

    Chewie Baron
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have the hummingbird tattooed on my right arm.

    Mady Rada
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many documentaries have tried to explain them, people managed to recreate some and they know their functions

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The figurative geoglyphs are what is usually shown in images of Nazca but until I took an airplane tour over them I was unaware of the scores (hundreds?) of straight lines leading in all directions.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The curious thing about them is that they are so large, their form can 9nly be seen from above. This leads us to wonder how they were created so accurately, and why - and to the claims that they were made by aliens.

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    #28

    Akrotiri, Thera (1500 BC)

    Akrotiri, Thera (1500 BC)

    Around 1500 B.C., the Greek island of Thera (now known as Santorini) suffered the same fate as Pompeii. A powerful eruption of the Thera volcano covered all traces of the thriving metropolis in several meters of volcanic debris when the Bronze Age settlement was at its peak. The city was not fully excavated until 1967, under the direction of Greek archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos.

    Joyofmuseums Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder why it is not as well known as Pompeii. Less appeal for tourists?

    Marta Szczygieł
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From Wikipedia: "Only a single gold object has been found, hidden beneath flooring, and no uninterred human skeletal remains have been found. This indicates that an orderly evacuation was performed with little or no loss of life." Whereas Pompeii is much more dramatic. There's also the fact that Pompeii is 25km from Naples and 250km from Rome, easily reached by car, and Akrotiri is on a small island that is not that easy to reach.

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    Sophroniel
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The difference is that they think there was a significant earthquake 20 to 40 years prior, and that there was another series of earthquakes prior to the erruption that enabled the whole or majority of the population to evacuate, with enough notice to bring most of their possessions with them too.This is concluded as they found almost no human remains and residences seemed empty of normal finds like everday stools, pots, spoons etc, and no boats were found anywhere. Certain temples seemed to have been purposely burned, even.

    G'ma B
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Greek island of Santorini is one of the worlds most beautiful vacation hideaways, very desirable and high-end exclusive … not as commonly known as DisneyLand as a family tourist destination.

    #29

    Trundholm Sun Chariot (1400 BC)

    Trundholm Sun Chariot (1400 BC)

    The Trundholm Sun Chariot has left archaeologists with more questions than answers since it was found alone, without any other historical artifacts nearby. The disc is gilded on one side and adorned with highly decorative concentric rings. Many believe that the Trundholm Sun Chariot symbolizes the rise and setting of the Sun since it travels from east to west.

    Stig Nygaard Report

    Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could it have been a child's toy? You know when your toddler forgets his GI Joes out in the back yard? 😆

    fair_weather_rose
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me a little of Norse mythology. The sun and moon are pulled around the sky in chariots by horses, chased by wolves who are actually Jötunn (giants).

    Torben Møller-Nielsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Made of bronze and gold and being quite big, this is not a toy but a religious artefact. https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/denmark/prehistoric-period-until-1050-ad/the-bronze-age/the-sun-chariot/

    LynzCatastrophe
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somewhere out there, there's definitely a spirit of a child yelling "ITS A TOY I LEFT OUTSIDE! IT HAS NO HIDDEN MEANING!" Because honestly, while I love that archeologists and historians and everyone of the like dive into their passions, sometimes things really had no real meaning. A child's toy, a home decorative vase, a dinner plate.

    dec
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we have no info on size or scale, or where/how it was found, that would help inform our views

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    #30

    Sword Of Goujian (771 BC – 403 BC)

    Sword Of Goujian (771 BC – 403 BC)

    Despite being over 2,500 years old, this Chinese dagger has a razor-sharp edge. It was discovered in a tomb in Hubei, China, and is thought to date from 771 to 403 BC. The Metropolitan Museum of Art notes that the eight characters engraved on the blade are ancient writing called "bird-worm seal script," which reads, "King of Yue... made this sword for [his] personal use."

    Siyuwj Report

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    #31

    Nok Terracotta Sculptures (1500 BC – 500 AD)

    Nok Terracotta Sculptures (1500 BC – 500 AD)

    Despite being widely scattered across the southern Sahara, the Nok Terracotta Sculptures are some of the most famous ancient artifacts and earliest examples of ironwork from the African continent. Because erosion has reduced many sculptures to fragments, complete heads are highly valued. While the function of these terracotta heads is unknown, their craftsmanship is impressive.

    snl.no Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Original The Thinker. Sorry, Mr Rodan.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Terracotta isn't iron, which hadn't been discovered in the bronze age

    SeaLouse
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a cartoon character

    dec
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    huh. why does the description say "ironwork"?

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    #32

    Staffordshire Hoard (650–675 AD)

    Staffordshire Hoard (650–675 AD)

    In 2009, a man in Staffordshire, England, struck gold while strolling through the countryside. The man was using a metal detector in a newly plowed field when he discovered the largest Anglo-Saxon treasure hoard. Archaeologists excavated the site and recovered over 3,500 pieces of gold, silver, and other metals. Most of the artifacts had something to do with warfare — none of them were household items such as cups or silverware.

    David Rowan, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Report

    GFSTaylor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen part of the hoard in the Stoke City museum. It's stunningly beautiful and so well crafted. Quite a few of the pieces are gold inlaid with garnets, and just lovely.

    KLackajis
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live about a mile away from where it was discovered. Played in that field as a child!

    ibyishimo
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe the series "The Detectorists" was based on this - I don't know, but it's one of the best.

    C L
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can guarantee if he was metal detecting in a plowed field he was nor strollong - stumbling maybe!

    #33

    Royal Game Of Ur (2600 BC – 2400 BC)

    Royal Game Of Ur (2600 BC – 2400 BC)

    Thousands of years ago, the Royal Game of Ur was a popular pastime for the people of Mediterranean and Middle East regions. As Irving Finkel, assistant keeper in the Department of the Middle East at London's British Museum, explains, "For such a long time, there were no forms of entertainment. Games had an excellent stronghold in that environment. They were unrivaled."

    BabelStone Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No forms of entertainment? There was music, dancing, singing, storytelling and art. People were far from bored!

    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But there were no smartphones, so what did they do?!

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    Purple Gurl
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Random game, really old, no real instructions-you want Jumanji? This is how you get Jumanji!

    Mrs. EW
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love to know how to play that now.

    ali lilley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can get it on the app store. There is also a YouTube video of Irving teaching someone how to play it. Very easy.

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    Khall Khall
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No but watch mr finkel on YT. He's amazing. If all professors were as great as him college would be much more fun.

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    #34

    The Grave Of Richard III (25 August 1485)

    The Grave Of Richard III (25 August 1485)

    Archaeologists from the University of Leicester in England discovered King Richard III's grave in 2012. The king passed away in battle in 1485, and rather than a state funeral, Richard's body was reportedly held at the Grey Friars Church in Leicester. Archaeologists found the former church and recovered the late king's bones using historical records. Richard III was reburied in Leicester Cathedral in a marble tomb in 2015.

    Chris Tweed Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What was amazing was that he was under a parking lot and just beneath a painted letter R.

    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The identity of the skeleton was confirmed with DNA. A direct descendant of Richard (I believe the late Prince Philip of England) donated DNA for the testing.

    mcborge1
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So did Benedict Cumberbatch as he was also a descendant. He also spoke at King richard III's reinterment at Leicester cathedral.

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    a penguin
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people get really defensive about Richard III even though he sucked. Watch the documentary of them scanning the skeleton and making the model that proved he had a hunchback. This woman who is part of some Richard III organization that is determined to put him in a good light, she’s literally in tears because it confirmed what all the “haters” wrote about him and it was just “so hard to see him like this.” Girl, it’s an old skeleton. Edit to add that they burried him in an unmarked grave for a reason. No one liked him.

    RedPepper
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    History is always written by the winners. The reason why Richard III has a bad reputation is that the Tudors gave him a bad reputation. Historians have studied his reign since and taken a more balanced view of his deeds. His body was buried without ceremony because his supporters were killed at Bosworth or on the run.

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    Linda Riebel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Correction: The excavation was inspired by a woman filmmaker, but U. of L always gets the credit.

    Elaine Everett-Klimas
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were awful to her, dismissed her, then took the credit. Without her dedication and perseverance he would still be under that council carpark!

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    Nitka Tsar
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmmm…. So…. An ancient King of England is found and they reburry him. But when they find an ancient king of.. say… Egypt, they display him in a Museum. Interesting

    Chewie Baron
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tutankhamen was discovered in 1920, Richard III in 2012, obviously things are different now.

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    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    passed away - killed in battle against the so-called Earl of Richmond

    Chewie Baron
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He fought against Henry Tudor.

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    #35

    The Alfred Jewel (9th Century AD)

    The Alfred Jewel (9th Century AD)

    This royal relic, discovered in a field in Somerset, England, in 1693, dates to the reign of King Alfred the Great (871-899 AD) and bears the inscription "AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN," which translates as "Alfred ordered me to be made." The jewel was originally part of an aestel, or pointer, a device used to follow the text in manuscripts, according to the Ashmolean Museum. The aestel, a "significant" piece of Anglo-Saxon goldsmithing, was crafted around a slice of rock crystal.

    Michael Kooiman Report

    Phil Green
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This jewel had a profound effect on me as a child. I visited the Ashmolean in 1969 and I was entranced by this. I have been back several times over the years and the effect is always the same. It is a remarkable and beautiful piece.

    KLackajis
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like Shaggy out of Scooby Doo...

    C Lawson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dammn I knew it was reminding me of something but I just couldn't pull that out of the cobwebs in my memory, haha. Thanks for me not stewing over it and suddenly wake at 4am and shout "Shaggy! It was Shaggy!"

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    Markus Holstein
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone got any idea how you use the thing to follow the text in manuscripts?

    Greg Stewart
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pretty nice piece for Batman's butler to have....

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    #36

    Olmec Colossal Heads (1500 BC – 400 BC)

    Olmec Colossal Heads (1500 BC – 400 BC)

    The Olmec Colossal Heads are seventeen monumental figures depicting human heads that are historical artifacts from the Olmec civilization, which was the first to settle in Mesoamerica. All the sculptures depict males, with detailed headdresses of cloth and feathers, either with faces smiling, neutral, or threatening.

    Arian Zwegers Report

    SeaLouse
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One was used as target practice by some idiots with guns during a war.

    Synsepalum
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mr. Burns gave one to Bart after Bart donated blood to Mr. Burns, saving his life. It was supposed to be the representation of Xtapolapocetl, the Olmec god of war. Season 2, Episode 22

    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the Mexican Museum of Anthropology you can eat lunch next to one of them.

    Cathy Jo Baker
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also at the anthropology museum in Mexico City! You can see more than one. I'm not sure if all of them are real, though. If you like the Olmec heads, a fabulous fiction book by David Westheimer (he wrote Von Ryan's Express) is called "The Olmec Head" that deals with a police officer trying to catch smugglers sneaking an Olmec head out of Mexico. Great read!

    #37

    Bronze Bells (2,000-3,600 Years Old)

    Bronze Bells (2,000-3,600 Years Old)

    Bells — love them, or hate them — contributed a lot to our history. The bells, discovered in 1978 in the tomb of Marquis Yi in the 4th century BC, represent the pinnacle of early music and bronze casting. Sixty-five bronze bells of various sizes were arranged in three rows on a wood-and-copper frame to create beautiful sounds.

    YouTable Report

    Stephanie A Mutti
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't know that hating bells was a thing... not like clowns.

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Try living near a church where there is an active bellringer group. They practice for an hour at a time, sometimes more. The bells also ring for every church service, and throughout the warmer months for weddings. They carry for miles and they're relentless. Lots of people complain about them.

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    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "They're not tubular, so I'll pass." - Mike Oldfield

    Thomas Ewing
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What does their musical scale sound like...not Do-Re-Mi I suppose?

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A Chinese burial hoard, I hadn't heard about these before. The biggest bell weighs 2500kg! http://en.hubei.gov.cn/culture/heritage/201305/t20130521_450100.shtml

    K- THULU
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seen some of these too, awesome!!! ( though they're from the tomb of the Maquis of Tsai.. According to the catalogue..)

    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maquis of Tsai sounds more reasonable if they’re from China.

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    #38

    Mask Of Agamemnon (1550 BC -1500 BC)

    Mask Of Agamemnon (1550 BC -1500 BC)

    In 1876, the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered several golden masks among gravesites at Mycenae, Greece, excavating on behalf of the Greek Archaeological Society. There were five funeral masks of men, women, and children. Schliemann believed he had discovered the body of King Agamemnon from Homer's Iliad because of the status associated with this practice and the gold found in the tomb.

    DieBuche Report

    Andrew McLoughlin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just to confirm, Schliemann was a terrible archaeologist even by the standards of the time. No gold funerary masks of any kind have ever been found in any other Mycenean contexts, the level of preservation is highly implausible, and Schliemann's brother in law was a goldsmith. These are /undoubtedly/ fakes, but the Greek cultural authorities have refused to allow them to be tested (because the conceit that they might be authentic is good for business.)

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even a cursory glance at this thing and it looked wrong to me.

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    Olli Glx
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mask_of_Agamemnon

    Alexander Krodiras
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How interesting! Thank you! "Modern archaeological research suggests that the mask is genuine but pre-dates the period of the Trojan War by 300–400 years.[9][10] Others date the contents of the find even earlier, to approximately 2500 BC"

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    Mady Rada
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If i recall, this mask looks a lot like Schliemann himself. Agamemnon was killed by his wife to avange their daughter 's death and don't think he had a male heir so this theory seems busted in my opinion

    Deborah Rubin
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    According to the Science Channel, this i real.

    Bill Marsano
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Schliemann was a terrible archaeologist even by the standards of the time." seems a little unfair to other archeologists. While there were many who hardly deserved the term, there were also many other--British, French and German--who were broinging professionalism to the field around Schliemann's time.

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    #39

    Palace Of Knossos, Crete (1950 BC)

    Palace Of Knossos, Crete (1950 BC)

    The Palace of Knossos is a Bronze Age structure built by the Minoan civilization around 1950 BC on the Greek island of Crete. Knossos is best known for its vibrant frescoes, depicting mythological creatures, marine wildlife, and ceremonial scenes. The site also produced a wide range of Minoan pottery, many of which are now on display at the nearby Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

    Theofanis Ampatzidis Report

    Andrew McLoughlin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Note that what you see here is an imaginative reconstruction of the original, based largely on Evans' (Arthur, archeologist from the turn of the 20th century) Victorian understanding of palaces and royalty. What he calls a "throne room" for instance was originally nothing of the sort--- Evans just twisted the ruins into that shape because, in his mind, a palace ought to have one. There is also no real evidence that "palace" is even an appropriate term for the original structure.

    Alexander Krodiras
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now I am intrigued. Indeed this is an reconstruction but to know the thoughts, plans and intentions of both Schliemann (previous post) and Evans...I wonder. A really and honest question, how do you know all these? Because of your profession or some official source? I truly want to know.

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I visited as a child. I remember the red columns. I also remember it being very hot!

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fascinating place to visit, but get your timing right - it gets extremely hot and extremely busy

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    #40

    Phaistos Disc (1850 BC – 1400 BC)

    Phaistos Disc (1850 BC – 1400 BC)

    Luigi Pernier, an Italian archaeologist, discovered a small disc in the ruins of a palace in the Phaistos region of Crete in 1908. Even though an earthquake destroyed much of the palace and the historical artifacts inside, the Phaistos Disc was safe.

    C messier Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "I would like to talk to you about your chariots extended warranty"

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    Thomas Ewing
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Obey this disc or a Centipede will eat your face while you sleep." They never found part two. lol

    #41

    Ancient Roman Tourniquets (199 BC – 500 AD)

    Ancient Roman Tourniquets (199 BC – 500 AD)

    Tourniquets were reported to be used by the ancient Romans to control bleeding, particularly during the amputation of body parts. Most of them were designed with a body part in mind — some focused on the legs, others on the arms. One of the most preserved Roman tourniquet artifacts is the one used on the thigh from the Hamonic collection. It's easy to see how similar the old tourniquets are to more modern ones.

    wellcomecollection.org Report

    Crybabyartist
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    More like, how similar the Modern ones are to the early ones since they were first after all.

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    #42

    Gobekli Tepe (11,000 Years Ago)

    Gobekli Tepe (11,000 Years Ago)

    Göbekli Tepe is an archaeological site in southern Turkey near the modern-day city of Urfa that dates back more than 11,000 years. Only a portion of the site has been excavated since its discovery in 1963, but researchers believe the discovered structures were part of a prehistoric temple. The T-shaped limestone blocks that line the site's stone rings are one of Göbekli Tepe's most notable features. 

    Zhengan Report

    MargyB
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gobleki Tepe is 5000 years older than Stone Henge. Mind blowing!!!!

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    #43

    Oldowan Choppers (1.7 Million Years Ago)

    Oldowan Choppers (1.7 Million Years Ago)

    Oldowan "chopper" tools were created 2.5 to 1.2 million years ago by Homo habilis, an ancestor of Homo sapiens, and were used for "cutting, chopping, and scraping" plants and animals. The first of these tools was discovered in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, but similar artifacts were scattered in eastern, central, and southern Africa.

    Didier Descouens Report

    a penguin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m assuming there was more evidence with these to provide context? Because those literally just look like every other rock in existence, how did they know these were used as tools?

    Allison Riley
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One way to tell us the shape they have relatively straight lines from where they were beaten to form edges for use. Some of the apparent wear and tear from use can only be seen microscopically and some evidence I presume comes from watching other tool making ape species such as chimps( my honest speculation/ if I find a good article from a reputable source I'll go back and add it for you)

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    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was looking for love in Oldowan places

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    #44

    Troy (3,000 BC – 500 AD)

    Troy (3,000 BC – 500 AD)

    Few archaeological sites are as contentious as Troy, the ancient city described in Homer's Iliad as the site of the Trojan War between the kingdoms of Troy and Mycenaean Greece. Scholars disagree on whether this legendary war occurred and whether it occurred where people now identify as the ancient city of Troy. It is thought to have stood on a site known as Hisarlik on Turkey's northwest coast.

    CherryX Report

    Andrew McLoughlin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Schliemann, the guy who faked the gold masks a few entries earlier, is also note-worthy for having utterly demolished (and dynamited) the site in a hurried attempt to dig down to the famous Homeric Troy from the Bronze Age (the city had continued to be inhabited and built on, like Rome, for thousands of years afterward). In an ironic twist, Schliemann went too far. He blew up the layer he was actually looking for, to accidentally reveal an even earlier construction.

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What kind of idiot dynamites the very thing they're seeking?!

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    #45

    The Pesse Canoe (8000 BC)

    The Pesse Canoe (8000 BC)

    The Pesse canoe, thought to be the oldest-known boat in the world and certainly the oldest canoe in history, was discovered during the construction of a highway in Pesse, a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe. Carbon dating has placed the canoe to the Mesolithic period, between 8040 BC and 7510 BC.

    commons.wikimedia.org Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They also just found 2 canoes in Lake Mendota in Madison, WI that were hand dug and over 3,000 years old! Obviously not as old as this but it was a recent discovery.

    Insono
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would be super interesting to see what the area looked like back then because nowadays there's no water anywhere near there!

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    #46

    A Jade Cong From The Liangzhu Culture (3300-2200 BC)

    A Jade Cong From The Liangzhu Culture (3300-2200 BC)

    The Neolithic Liangzhu culture, which lived in China's Jiangsu province in the third millennium BC, created items out of jade, ceramic, and stone that are still in use today. Khan Academy describes these objects as "among the most impressive yet enigmatic of all ancient Chinese jade artifacts." Also, they "were difficult and time-consuming to manufacture. Because jade cannot be split, it must be worked with hard abrasive sand."

    Editor at Large Report

    K- THULU
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In 1977, I went with my parents to view " The Chinese Exhibition", the first exhibition of chinese artifacts to be shown in Australia.... Absolutely amazing, and the jades were incredible!! I suggest anyone interested to look up the Jade suit of Tou Wan, a burial shroud from 113 BC.... It was constructed from 2,160 jade plates sewn with 700 grams of gold thread.... Absolutely mind blowing!!!

    basil (as in razzle dazzle)
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are found in a lot of burial sites, so their function is most likely funerary. If you look closely, the carvings in the corners resemble a face

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't know that about jade - there is some exquisite work, mostly from china I think, so time consuming to make

    C L
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow! https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/696308. *Dou

    D. Pitbull
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jade this, jade that... rrrghhh... I have this love-hate relationship with the stuff... as a child being lectured on its properties (and not measurable, empirical data... just 'you feel it, you know it!' stuff)... EVERY time we were anywhere with a possible jewelry store... and how I am apparently 100% useless at determining a "nice" piece of jade.

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the ways of telling real jade from fakes is that jade is harder than steel, so cannot be scratched with a knife or a pin. Of course, you should only ever do this with items that you personally own or with permission of the owner, and on a part that is not normally visible.

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    #47

    Alabaster Relief From Palace Of Nimrud (9th Century BC)

    Alabaster Relief From Palace Of Nimrud (9th Century BC)

    This relief of King Ashurnasirpal II, now housed at the Louvre, is from the palace of Nimrud in Assyria, where it covered part of an unbaked brick wall. In the ninth century BC, Assyria adopted this style of architecture. A characteristic truncated cone with a smaller cone emerging from the middle and a long "streamer" dangling from its back serves as the king's unmistakable trademark.

    Ashley Van Haeften Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such detailed work; the muscles of the arms are visible.

    Andrew McLoughlin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Now housed at the louvre" is a polite way of saying it was stolen.

    David Andrews
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In this case, better in the Louvre than destroyed. In recent years the palace at Nimrud has been purposely demolished by groups like Islamic State using diggers and explosives, while at the same time looting anything movable they find to sell on the black market

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    steward_m
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why do they appear to be wearing wrist watches?

    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they were given to them by the gods from outer space, as von daniken tells us. obviously. /s

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    dec
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and wristwatches too. :-)

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    #48

    The First Gutenberg Bible To Arrive In The United States (15th Century AD)

    The First Gutenberg Bible To Arrive In The United States (15th Century AD)

    The Gutenberg Bible, one of the first mass-printed books, is a watershed moment in the history of humanity — and literacy in general. James Lenox purchased the Bible, which is now on display at the New York Public Library, in 1847.

    NYC Wanderer Report

    Sasha Kuleshov
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How do they put the golden stuff on? :O

    #49

    Madaba Map (560 And 565 AD)

    Madaba Map (560 And 565 AD)

    The Madaba map is the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land (particularly Jerusalem). While the mosaic map originally depicted a large swath of the Middle East, from southern Syria to central Egypt, much of it was destroyed by the time it was discovered. The portion of the map depicting Jerusalem has been preserved and includes an oval-shaped walled city with six gates, 21 towers, and several buildings and structures.

    Danny Report

    Max Fox
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Cardo, or central street, bordered by pillars was part of the city in Byzantine times. Much of it has been excavated. While the column depicted at one side is long gone, the gate where it stood is still called, in Arabic, "Bāb al-ʿĀmūd", the Gate of the Column(AKA "the Damascus Gate")

    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Been there last year, Madaba is a city full of exraordinary mosaics

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    #50

    Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Mona Lisa' (1503 - 1517)

    Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Mona Lisa' (1503 - 1517)

    Everyone knows the masterpiece of the Mona Lisa, a painting that Leonardo Da Vinci worked on from 1503-06 to 1517. The artifact is housed in the Louvre in France and is a big tourist attraction. About 6 million visitors each year come and see the painting. Valued at $800 million, the Mona Lisa has the highest insurance value of any painting in history.

    wikipedia.org Report

    Andrew McLoughlin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Outside of a very small group of art afficionados in paris in the late 19th century, the painting wasn't widely known until it was stolen in 1911, causing a media frenzy. The theft wasn't even noticed for a full day and a half. At the time, it wasn't even the most famous painting in that particular gallery, let alone the Louvre.

    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That’s completely untrue, a myth repeated again and again by ignorants (sorry..) The English version of its Wikipedia article does not help, it’s ridiculously inexact (to the name of the painting that’s wrong!) Read the French or Italian version for accurate information. The painting has always been considered the masterpiece of Da Vinci, one of the most brilliant artist ever. The painting was so much praised even at the time it was done that it was one of the main reasons the king of France commissioned Da Vinci and asked him to come to Chambord. La Gioconda / Joconde (its actual name) has been an inspiration for artists since its creation. Its theft played a minor role in its fame. It just happened coincidentally when the general public became interested in art, at the beginning of the 20th century.

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    a penguin
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really need someone to explain this to me. I have never understood the appeal.

    Tyranamar Seuss
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't get it either. And it's really small in person.

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    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    « the Mona Lisa has the highest insurance value of any painting in history » That makes absolutely no sense since La Joconde is uninsured.

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Visiting it can be disappointing - it is quite small, behind a barrier, and surrounded by hoards of people with their phone cameras. There are much more interesting pieces in the Louvre

    Harlan Sarvis
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    also, more people came to see the empty bit of wall where the Mona Lisa was than before it was stolen.

    Jesse
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the language used back then, the painting was originally titled Monna Lisa. Monna was used as a shortened form of Madonna, which meant "madam" or "lady". So the painting's actual title is Lady Lisa.

    Donkeywheel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. Da Vinci himself called the painting « La Gioconda » that became « La Joconde » when the French king bought it and hired Da Vinci. That’s it’s official name, the only one for the Frenchs and Italians. But for some reason Brits and Americans called it Mona Lisa. This name is understandable by everyone but it’s wrong nevertheless.

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    #51

    Hand Of Glory (18th Century Ad)

    Hand Of Glory (18th Century Ad)

    A Hand of Glory was allegedly the carefully prepared and preserved right hand of a felon, used by burglars to send sleepers in a house into a state of deep unconsciousness from which they couldn't awaken. The clenched hand is used as a candle holder for a candle made of human fat in one version, but in another (consistent with Whitby's hand), the outstretched hand has its own fingers lit.

    badobadop Report

    RoanTheMad
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooh a local artifact in my local museum. Furthermore, if one of the fingers did not light, it was a sign someone was still awake. The light can then only be extinguished with blood or skimmed milk, or so the tale goes.

    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So why is this historically significant?

    ali lilley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #52

    The Ubaid Lizards (5,000 BC)

    The Ubaid Lizards (5,000 BC)

    Excavators in Iraq discovered something strange — several relics that depict humanlike figures with lizard characteristics such as almond-shaped eyes, stretched heads, long, slender faces, and a reptile nose. Some appear to be wearing helmets with shoulder pads. Other figures with staffs were found, presumably as a symbol of law and authority.

    Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) Report

    #53

    Gerzeh Beads (3200 BC – 3000 BC)

    Gerzeh Beads (3200 BC – 3000 BC)

    The Gerzeh Beads, regarded as the first relic of antiquity, were found in a North Egyptian tomb in 1911. These nine beads are part of a necklace that includes agate, lapis lazuli, gold, and other precious stones. After examining the iron's chemical makeup in the early 2010s, researchers concluded that the iron utilized to manufacture these beads came from a meteorite.

    Dependability Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine the awe and prestige of jewelry that came from the sky!

    M O'Connell
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would have been enormous. Prior to the iron age, nearly all objects made of iron had meteoric origins. Notably a large iron meteor that fell in Greenland was used as a source of material for harpoon and spear points for thousands of years. Tutankhamun had several artifacts in his tomb also made from iron meteorite. Various spear points, axes, and decorative items made of meteor iron have been found worldwide.

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    #54

    Lydenburg Heads (400 AD – 500 AD)

    Lydenburg Heads (400 AD – 500 AD)

    While playing as a child on his father's farm in Mpumalanga, South Africa, Karl-Ludwig von Benzig came across a collection of historical artifacts that would alter the course of his life. After officially extracting the Lydenburg Heads as a teenager in the 1960s, he received widespread acclaim. The two sculptures can be worn as masks and house animal figurines. This evidence, combined with detailed necklaces, suggests that the heads were likely made for rulers or elites.

    Mike Peel Report

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    #55

    The Dagger Of Bush Barrow (2,000 BC)

    The Dagger Of Bush Barrow (2,000 BC)

    The Bush Barrow dagger is one of England's most spectacular Bronze Age artifacts. Although the blade is made of bronze, the handle is adorned with tiny gold studs in a zig-zag pattern. Because it required such delicate work, this artifact was most likely created by children. The artifact was adorned with approximately 140,000 small gold studs.

    Pasicles Report

    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I question whether it was created by children. “Delicate work” requires a steady and experienced hand.

    Becky Samuel
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Untrue. Until mechanisation much of the most intricate work was done by children because of their greater dexterity and better eyesight. Soldering the heads onto pins is a good example of this.

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    #56

    Caral Quipu (3000 BC)

    Caral Quipu (3000 BC)

    The ancient Caral-Supe civilization thrived on the coast of modern-day Peru between 4000 and 2000 BC, before the rise of the Olmec and Incan dynasties. Caral, the first city in the Americas, was built while they were there. Caral had over 3000 residents in the third century BC. Archaeologist Ruth Shady discovered a quipu that recorded the history of the town.

    Håkan Svensson Xauxa Report

    Stephanie Did It
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quipu: noun. an ancient Inca device for recording information, consisting of variously colored threads knotted in different ways. The Inca used this means instead of writing glyphs or symbols.

    PattyK
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is a quipu? An engraved tablet?