A bronze statuette of Perdicas: he was apparently a Greek youth studying in Athens, who neglected to sacrifice to Aphrodite; the goddess punished him so he fell in love with his own mother, wasted away and died. 1st century BC. [3024×4032] Dumbarton Oaks collection.December 8, 2025
Carved rock crystal cylinder seal featuring an image of a seated figure made somewhere in Mesopotamia, c. 2115-2006 BCE. [1291×2100]December 8, 2025
A 7th century CE pillow made of blue and green glass beads woven with silver wire, found in Abuyama Kofun in Japan, under the head of the mummified remains of a man, whose body also appeared to have been wrapped in brocade, with many gold threads scattered from the chest to the head [4800×6044]December 8, 2025
Marble head of a Ptolemaic queen Arsinoe II acquired in Egypt by George Baldwin, circa 270–250 BCE [1200×900]December 8, 2025
The Amman Citadel, in Jordan, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Neolithic period (around 7000 BCE). The major remains at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace [958×1245]December 8, 2025
This stone found in North Carolina, and allegedly from Eleanor White Dare in 1591, tells a grim story of the Lost Colony’s fate: colonists moved inland, suffered war and sickness, and all but 7 colonists were killed by the natives, including Eleanor’s husband and daughter Virginia Dare [1656×1080]December 8, 2025
An Anglo-Saxon agate finger-ring engraved with a runic inscription around the outside. 8th-10th century CE, now housed at the British Museum [1649×1566]December 7, 2025
An Achaemenid plaque, the only surviving artifact bearing the emblem of the Empire’s flag. Dating to 550–330 BC, it was discovered in Persepolis and is housed at the National Museum of Iran. [3523×1679]December 7, 2025
Box incorporating ancient bamboo arrow shafts by Sakaguchi Sōunsai, Japan, ca. 1938. Ancient arrow shafts, mōsō, yadake, rattan. Loaned to the Japan Society [4000×2252] [OC]December 7, 2025
