Amethyst carved as a head covered with a gold keffiyeh, believed to be Arsinoë II, Queen of Ptolemaic Egypt and King (no mistype) of upper and lower Egypt, effectively making her a Pharaoh; 300 BCE [3000×2998]March 12, 2025
Hittite-language proclamation of King Anitta (r. c. 1740–25 BCE) of lost city Kuššara: Oldest known writing in any Indo-European language, Hittite belonging to the Anatolian branch thought to have split before the consequential Yamnaya culture spread late Proto-Indo-European far and wide [1477×1239]March 12, 2025
A time capsule inscription on a rock, 4th-3rd centuries BC, uncovered in Hebei, China, at the time part of the Kingdom of Zhongshan, written by two people to be read in the future. Translation in comments. [768×1024]March 12, 2025
Bronze Age skull from Jericho, Palestine, 2200-2000. Although this skull shows four separate holes made by the ancient surgical process of trephination, they had clearly begun to heal. Wellcome Collection [1363×2048]March 12, 2025
Egyptian aragonite slab with seven holes for cosmetic ointments. Each hollow is labelled with the name of the cosmetic ointment in hieroglyphics, now partially worn away. The wearing on the slab suggests the equipment was extensively used by a right-handed person. Wellcome Collection [2560×1703]March 12, 2025
A spell to protect a woman from uterine disorders. In the Greco-Roman world, the uterus was considered to have a life of its own. The amulet could have been used to prevent early labor or convulsive attacks in pregnant women (eclampsia). 5th century AD Beyrouth, Lebanon. BnF Museum [1373×2060]March 12, 2025
Pair of graduated chain ornaments with embossed disc pendants. Jama Coaque culture, Ecuador, ca. 200 BC – 800 AD. Gold or gold alloy. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston collection [3056×3056] [OC]March 12, 2025
Fragment of a cape painted with sea snail blood. Peru, Paracas culture, 5th-3rd century BC [4400×3150]March 12, 2025
Bronze garment hooks with gold and silver patterns. China, Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC [4400×4200]March 12, 2025
Stupa at Wat Phra Ram temple. Thailand, Kingdom of Ayutthaya, 14th-15th century [3880×3100]March 12, 2025
Spring Fresco, Akrotiri, Thera (Santorini), Greece, 1600 BC. The fresco depicts the brightly colored rocky landscape of the volcanic island dotted with blossoming lilies and flying swallows. It might be, some say, the first time an artist created art from the surrounding landscape…[1920×1080] [OC]March 12, 2025
