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Artifacts

There are undoubtedly millions of ancient artifacts from the past that have served to shed light on the lives of our ancestors from many millennia ago. But some ancient mystical artifacts stand out for their uniqueness, their intrigue, or their ability to expand our knowledge about previously unknown aspects of our history. Here we feature many such ancient history artifacts, from amazing examples of ancient technology, to artistic masterpieces, unexplained objects, ancient texts, and mysterious artifacts that shed light on the daily lives of our ancestors.

Gold inlaid teeth of the Bolinao Skull.  Source: National Museum of the Philippines

Unveiling the Secrets of the Bolinao Skull: A Journey into Ancient Human History

In the world of modern archaeology, the Bolinao Skull stands as an intriguing discovery, shrouded in mystery and absolute uniqueness. This enigmatic human skull, discovered in the idyllic coastal...
Ancient Egypt’s Book of the Dead. Source: Paolo Gallo / Adobe Stock.

Book of the Dead: Ancient Egypt’s Quest for Eternal Life (Video)

The Egyptian Book of the Dead , or "The Book of Coming Forth by Day," is an ancient religious text that played a significant role in Egyptian funerary practices around 1550 BC. It contains spells,...
Revolting ingredients for the manufacturing of luxurious ancient perfume. Source: creative_content/Adobe Stock

10 Most Revolting Ingredients Used in Ancient Perfumes

Who doesn’t enjoy a good perfume? Well, at least they are better than enduring some natural human odors! Today, perfumes are a commodity available to millions of people, coming in all sorts of scents...
Hammurabi (standing) receiving his royal insignia from the deity Shamash. Source: Hammurabi/CC BY 3.0

Hammurabi and his God Given Code of Laws

“At that time, the gods Anu and Enlil, for the enhancement of the well-being of the people, named me by my name: Hammurabi, the pious prince, who venerates the gods, to make justice prevail in the...
The tomb and treasures of King Tut. Source: Jaroslav Moravcik / Adobe Stock.

10 of the Biggest Treasure Discoveries In History (Video)

In the world of treasure hunting, incredible discoveries await. From ancient Egyptian tombs in Saqqara to the depths of the ocean, hidden riches have been unveiled throughout history. Colorful...
Doodles discovered in Henry VIII’s prayer book reveal Henry VIII, seen here in a portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, may have suffered from depression. Source: Public domain /CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 /CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Doodles in Henry VIII’s Prayer Book Reveal Anxiety and Depression

Best known for his six marriages and a notorious clash with the Pope over annulling his union with Catherine the Aragon , Henry VIII's reign was marked by tumultuous events, both historically and...
Left is the original photo of the Khafre statue; right is the photo cut in half and flipped.	Source: Author provided.

The Brilliance of ‘Pre-diluvian’ Sculpture - Cannot Be Hand Made!

I'm still digesting our recent tour to Egypt; the temple and the pyramids - just the atmosphere of the ancients was a lot to take in. Each time I visit, I’m stunned at the beauty, sophistication, and...
The Jain sculptures found at Moinabad, Hyderabad, India. Figures show a spiritual teacher of the dharma, seated in meditation and the top part adorned with Keerthimukhas. Source: E. Sivanagireddy/ The Hindu

1,000-Year-Old Sacred Sculptures of Jain Saviors Used for a Sluice

Almost exactly 2 years ago, two Jain sculptures from the 10th century AD were found in the southern Indian state of Telangana. Now history almost repeats itself, as two square pillars adorned with...
Teotihuacan, Mexico. Source: ARTURO / Adobe Stock.

Teotihuacán: The Ancient City Designed to Track Time (Video)

The enigmatic people of Teotihuacán in Mexico inhabited a city that prioritized timekeeping . This abandoned city, spanning 20 kilometers, offers insights into their unique approach to tracking time...
‘Pompeii pizza’ fresco shows a flatbread with items on top. Source: Parco Archeologico Pompeii

Archaeologists Excavating In Pompeii Find Ancestral Pizza Revealed in Fresco

Earlier this year, a team of archaeologists delved into some delicious secrets hidden within the volcanic tomb that is Pompeii. Guess what? They have uncovered a fresco showcasing what looks like an...
Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘satellite map’ of Imola. Source: Wallpaper Flare.

How Leonardo da Vinci Made a "Satellite" Map in 1502 (Video)

In 1502, while working as a military engineer for Cesare Borgia , Leonardo da Vinci undertook the task of creating a unique map of Imola. At the time, the prevailing maps were depicted in a birds eye...
The British Museum. Source: Sammy / Adobe Stock.

The British Museum is Full of Stolen Artifacts (Video)

The British Museum , the world's largest world history museum, houses over 8 million cultural and historical artifacts from around the world. However, nearly half of the highlighted pieces face...
Dong Ho Vietnamese art is an aesthetic symbol in Vietnamese culture.  This painting is titled, ‘Good luck wish’: Lợn âm dương (Yin-yang pig). Source: Public Domain

From Block to Beauty: The Intricate Art of Vietnamese Dong Ho Painting

The rich and fascinating history of Dong Ho painting spans centuries and reflects several cultural and political changes in Vietnam. This art form, born in the Red River Delta region in the 17th...
The oldest crown in the world, found in the Nahal Mishmar Hoard. Source: Hanay/CC BY-SA 3.0

Ancient Majesty: The Oldest Crown Ever Found

The oldest known crown in the world, which was famously discovered in 1961 as part of the Nahal Mishmar Hoard, along with numerous other treasured artifacts, was publicly revealed in 2020 in New York...
Holy couple. Source: Paolo Gallo / Adobe Stock.

The Kama Sutra: It’s Not Just About Sex (Video)

The Kama Sutra , known for its acrobatic sex positions, is often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, it lacks explicit pictures and covers more than just sex . Translated from Sanskrit , it...
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...
D-stretch image of the Australian rock art in which Moluccan warships have been identified.  Source: Darrell Lewis / CC BY 4.0

17th-Century Moluccan Warships Identified in Australian Rock Art

Archaeologists from Flinders University in Adelaide have finally identified the exotic watercraft featured in indigenous rock art found 50 years ago in a small cave in Arnhem Land in the Northern...
A samurai warrior with sword. Source: ImagineDesign / Adobe Stock.

Deadly Weapons of the Ancients: Unleashing History's Fury (Video)

Across the sands of time, the echoes of ancient warfare resound, revealing a captivating glimpse into the evolution of human conflict. In the realm of battle, the ingenuity of our ancestors gave...
The heart-breaking theft of some artifacts in history: The Crown Jewels and an illustration of Thomas Blood. The Mona Lisa.  Dublin Police notice of theft of crown jewels. Hans Memling's Last Judgement. Elgin Marbles. Rosetta stele. Solomon's Temple. Source: Historic Royal Palaces, Public Domain, Public Domain, Public Domain, Justin Norris/CC BY 2.0, Trustees of the British Museum/ CC BY NC SA 4.0, Public Domain

Stealing History: 10 of the Most Tragic Artifact Thefts in History

Throughout history, the theft of valuable artifacts has captivated the public's imagination, revealing the audacity and cunning of those who sought to possess pieces of our shared heritage. These...
Legendary sword. Source:  Dianne / Adobe Stock.

15 of History’s Most Legendary Historic Swords (Video)

In the annals of history, certain swords have become legendary symbols of power, heroism, and the mastery of craftsmanship. These revered blades were wielded by prominent historical figures and...
The fragment of pottery with the Virgil quote overlaid. Source: Iván González Tobar/Labex Archimède; University of Córdoba

1800-Year-Old Roman Amphora of Olive Oil Contains Quote from the Legendary Virgil

A fragment of an amphora of olive oil, dated to the Roman period in southern Spain 1,800 years ago, has astounded the archaeological community at large. Plucked from the earth during prospecting...
Egyptian Symbols Found in the U.S. Source: YouTube Screenshot / History.

Unearthing Ancient Egyptian Glyphs in America (Video)

An extraordinary discovery has left experts perplexed—a 500-pound rock slab adorned with an ancient Egyptian symbol found in the U.S. desert. For two years, researchers have been grappling with its...
Charles Hanson, the owner of Hansons Auctioneers, holding the 600-year-old medieval hand cannon. 	Source: Hansons Auctioneers

Garden Rockery Decorative Piece Turns Out to Be Rare 600-Year-Old Hand Cannon!

A seemingly ordinary cannon purchased for a mere £20 ($25) from a flea market in Hertfordshire, England, and repurposed as a decorative piece for a garden rockery has turned out to be a valuable...
Four of the Tucson Artifacts  Source: The Tucson Artifacts / Photographs by Robert C. Hyde. © Donald N. Yates, 2013. All rights reserved. Used by special permission.

Mystery of the Latin Inscribed Artifacts Found in Arizona (Video)

Charles Manier's serendipitous discovery in 1924 led to the unearthing of 32 lead artifacts inscribed with Latin text near Tucson, Arizona . Dating back to the 9th century A.D., the Tucson artifacts...

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