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The Yungang Grottoes are a UNESCO World heritage site in Datong, Shanxi province, China. Source: mijun/Adobe Stock

The Magnificent Yungang Grottoes Are a Testament of China’s Buddhist History

The history of Ancient China is full of different ethnicities, cultures, and religions. But Buddhism in China has deep and far-reaching roots. Throughout the centuries, it has left many famous and...
Top image:  Moche pottery depicting copulation.  Museo Larco – Lima, Perú

Sexuality and Nudity in Ancient Mesoamerica

The ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica left behind a rich artistic legacy that continues to captivate and intrigue modern scholars and enthusiasts. Among the myriad of themes that Mesoamerican art...
The Belles Herues of Jean de France, duc de Berry. The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.

The Teen Prodigies Behind This 15th Century French Picture Book (Video)

Within the realm of 15th-century French artistry , the Belles Heures emerges as a striking showcase of the Limbourg Brothers' talents. This exquisitely crafted manuscript, commissioned by Jean de...
Assyrian relief carving, circa 883 to 859 BC, which includes a representation which looks surprisingly similar to modern-day handbags. Source: Public domain

Why Are Mysterious Handbags Prevalent in Ancient Carvings Worldwide?

One of the more mysterious symbols that has been found in carvings from the ancient world is an image that looks uncannily like a modern-day handbag. The shape appears in depictions made by the...
Fresco depicting the Virgin Mary holding Baby Jesus. Source: Giorgio G / Adobe Stock.

Why Do Babies in Medieval Art Look Like Creepy Middle-Aged Men? (Video)

In medieval art, depictions of babies are far from the cherubic, innocent infants we imagine today. Instead, they appear as miniature adults, complete with mature features that can be quite...
Turkish artist Garip Ay producing ebru water art. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Great Big Story)

The Ancient Turkish Art of Painting on Water (Video)

We’ve all heard of watercolor painting but what about painting on water? Few artworks are as unique as those produced by the Turkish artist Garip Ay who masterfully resurrects the ancient technique...
Vietnam water puppets. Source: Kalyakan / Adobe Stock.

Tourism Keeps Vietnam's Ancient Water Puppets Afloat (Video)

Vietnam's water puppet tradition is a captivating art form that has been cherished for centuries. Originating in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta, this unique cultural expression dates back to...
Statue of Venus de Milo. Source: ssrbuzz / Adobe Stock.

Venus de Milo's Controversial Journey (Video)

The Venus de Milo, an armless ancient statue , has an intriguing story that spans centuries and involves a possible cover-up. Discovered by a Greek farmer in 1820 and sold to the French, the statue's...
Remarkable Kville petroglyphs found in Sweden. Source: Foundation for Documentation of Bohuslän's Rock Carvings

Stunning 2,700-Year-Old Petroglyphs Found Hidden Under Moss in Sweden

Researchers combing through the countryside near the municipality of Tanum in the province of Bohuslän along Sweden’s western coastline were shocked to discover a set of approximately 40 petroglyphs...
The faces of a Neanderthal family. Source: Rawf8 / Adobe Stock.

The Art of Reconstructing the Faces of Ancient Humans (Video)

Imagine being able to step back in time and witness the early ancestors of the human race. While a time machine may not yet exist, art has the power to transport us to different eras and provide a...
Malangan carvings, now world-famous, are the wooden carvings which are created for use in malangan ceremonies. Traditionally these were burnt at the conclusion of the event; in modern times most are now retained.      Source: Rita Willaert/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Honoring and Negating the Dead through Malangan in Papua New Guinea

The term “malangan” has a dual meaning. It can either represent the elaborate memorial festivals held in New Ireland (Papua New Guinea) in honor of deceased members of a clan, or it can refer to the...
The statue of Ebih-Il in prayer in the Louvre, Paris. Source: Left; Louvre Museum/CC BY-SA 2.0, Right; Public Domain

The Exquisite Statue of Ebih-Il, an Important Heirloom of Ancient Mari

The ancient realm of Mesopotamia is still very much clouded in enigma. It existed so far back in time, that our knowledge about its cities and civilizations will never be 100% clear. Still,...
Lady making traditional decorated eggs in the Bukovina Region of Romania. Source: Matthew / Adobe Stock.

Eggsquisite Art: Romania’s Stunning Traditional Craft of Egg Painting

The small village of Ciocăneşti in Romania is known for its elaborate motifs that adorn its buildings, and these designs are reflected in the decorated eggs. The art of egg painting has elevated the...
Scene with King David (Adrian Chlebowski/Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw)

Hidden Medieval Rooms Found in Sudan Contain Rare Nubian Christian Art

Archaeologists have uncovered a spectacular discovery in Dongola , Sudan – a series of hidden rooms beneath a medieval monastery featuring stunning Christian art unlike anything seen before in Nubian...
Some of the 313 manillas (brass rings) excavated by the Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi from a Flemish trader lost in 1524 off Getaria in Basque Country, northern Spain which prove the source of the Benin Bronze metal. Source: Ana Maria Benito-Dominguez/CC-BY 4.0/PLoS ONE

Study Shows Benin Bronzes Are Made from German Metal

A new study of famous 16th-19th century works of art found in abundance in West Africa has revealed something surprising about their composition. According to the results of a comprehensive and...
Carved mother-of-pearl Thai art. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Insider Business.

Thai Artist Carves Snail Shells into Ancient Art That Costs Thousands (Video)

Jukkit Suksawa is a Thai artist who has been creating traditional mother-of-pearl inlay, a 700-year-old tradition, for the past 30 years. Suksawa's dedication to preserving ancient Thai art forms and...
Ajrak block-printing in Pakistan. Source: fahadee / Adobe Stock

Small Town Keeps 5,000-Year-Old Ajrak Tradition Alive in Pakistan (Video)

Ajrak is a unique and traditional form of block-printed shawl or scarf that is indigenous to the Sindh region of Pakistan and parts of India. The art of Ajrak has been practiced for over 5,000 years...
The panel of prehistoric engravings found in Cova de la Vila, Catalonia, Spain. Source: Arnau Pascual Monells / Departament de Cultura

“Exceptional” Prehistoric Engravings Found in Lost Spanish Cave

Lost for over 50 years, a Spanish cave has revealed over 100 "exceptional" prehistoric artworks that have astonished archaeologists. The Cova de la Vila cave, located in the Tarragona province of...
A bronze sculpture, representational. Source: DivineWorld / Adobe Stock

How Metal Artists In India Are Keeping A 4,500-Year-Old Craft Alive (Video)

Despite the challenges, metal artists in India are working to keep the ancient craft of Dhokra art alive. This traditional craft involves the use of a non-ferrous metal, often brass or bronze, to...
Creation of Adam, fresco painted by Michelangelo (1475-1564), Sistine Chapel Ceiling (1508-1512) Rome, Vatican (Jörg Bittner Unna / CC by SA 3.0)

10 Great Mysteries Hidden in Famous Paintings (Video)

Art has always been a fascinating form of expression, not just for its aesthetic beauty but also for the hidden messages and secrets it holds. From the ghostly silhouette behind the man in The Old...
The Japanese Waseda he-gassen handscroll depicted farts so powerful they could uproot trees. Source: Public domain

Fart Battles of the He-gassen Handscrolls Brought Toilet Humor to Life

Japanese art is full of surprises, including rowdy depictions of phallic contests, intercourse tournaments, and the unforgettable he-gassen fart battles. Bawdy, boisterous and downright delightful,...
The Cairn of Barnenez in Brittany, France. Source: Eve / Adobe Stock

Timeless Beauty at Cairn de Barnenez – The Prehistoric Parthenon

For those looking to step back in time, the Cairn de Barnenez located in France’s Brittany is ideal. As one of the world’s oldest standing structures in the world, the Cairn de Barnenez is a marvel...
Ancient cave paintings in Patagonia, southern Argentina. Source: elnavegante/Adobe Stock

The Oldest Art in the World Wasn’t Made By Homo sapiens

By Paul Pettitt / The Conversation One of the most hotly debated questions in the history of Neanderthal research has been whether they created art. In the past few years, the consensus has become...
Avian artwork reproduced in facsimile painting from the Green Room found at Amarna’s North Palace. Source: Public domain

Exquisite Avian Artwork Created Sensory Relaxation Chamber for Egyptian Queen

Back in the 1920s, archaeologists working at Amarna’s North Palace in Egypt uncovered a “masterpiece of ancient Egyptian art.” This was the palace of Meritaten, the daughter of Pharaoh Akhenaten and...

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