All  

Store Banner Mobile

Store Banner Mobile

Other Artifacts

Other Artifacts covers many items which have been recovered from the past and give us insights into ancient human worlds. From loaded Roman dice to the Shroud of Turin, these items help tell the stories of the varied culture and everyday lives of our ancestors. 

Top image: The Emperor's Carpet. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain
10 October, 2023 - 01:59 Robbie Mitchell

Reinvigorating an Emperor's Persian Carpet – A Three Year Journey (Video)

Standing before The Emperor's Carpet, a masterpiece of Persian artistry from the 16th century, we unveil its remarkable history. This exquisite creation likely emerged during the reign of Shah...
The horse bridle was made up of both a bit and leather straps which were once fastened to the horse’s head, which makes it possible to date it. Source: Espen Finstad / Secrets of The Ice / Innlandet County Municipality
9 October, 2023 - 22:58 ashley cowie

Ancient Horse Bridle Emerges from Melting Ice Along Viking Trade Route

A rare Viking Age artifact has melted from its icy-mountain tomb after 1,200 years. Discovered at 2,000 meters above sea level, this timeworn horse bridle whispers of ancient high-altitude traders...
The lid of a canopic jar depicting an Egyptian queen. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
7 October, 2023 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

Who Did This Majestic Egyptian Canopic Jar Belong To? (Video)

From the depths of Egypt's Valley of the Kings comes a discovery shrouded in mystery. An ancient canopic jar , uncovered in 1907 from an uninscribed tomb, beckons our curiosity. This exquisite...
Childs gown found in the Cave of Letters, Israel. Source: Israel Antiquities Authority
6 October, 2023 - 22:56 ashley cowie

1,900-year-old Knot-Frilled Child’s Gown Discovered in Israel's Cave of Letters

The Cave of Letters in Israel has yielded many artifacts from the famous Bar Kokhba revolt, offering deep insights into Jewish history. Recently, a 1,900-year-old child's nightgown with intriguing "...
The King Arthur Tapestry. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
6 October, 2023 - 17:04 Robbie Mitchell

Watch the Restoration of the 500-Year-Old King Arthur Tapestry (Video)

Experts at The Met recently took on the task of revitalizing the King Arthur tapestry . Part of the “Nine Heroes Tapestries”, the King Arthur piece hadn’t been touched since it joined the Met’s...
Erechtheion with Original Paintwork Reconstruction. Source: Mark Cartwright / CC by NC-SA.
4 October, 2023 - 16:59 Robbie Mitchell

Why Ancient Marble Statues Aren’t Meant to Be Seen As “White” (Video)

In the world of classical art, a recent discussion emerged that thrust classicist Sarah Bond into unexpected controversy. Her focus? Ancient statues and the concept of "polychromy." Unlike the serene...
Lapis lazuli cult image of the God Ptah. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
2 October, 2023 - 16:57 Robbie Mitchell

This Egyptian Statue Was Created to Hold the Spirit of a God (Video)

In ancient Egypt, amid the grandeur of pyramids , obelisks, and temples , there exists a small yet captivating marvel—an exquisite lapis lazuli statue designed not for burial but for divine...
Limestone bust from a Palmyrene funerary relief; double bust of man and his wife; she is veiled with the fillet; wears drop ear-rings and two long curls of hair; holds in left hand distaff and spindle; he wears a toga and holds a strip of writing material in his right hand; inscription; 2 ll. Inscription: OYIPIA ( ) OIBH () AIOCOYIIOC () KIMOC - Viria Phoebe and Gaius Vurus. Left: Bust of a noblewoman nicknamed "Beauty of Palmyra” Copenhagen, Denmark. Source: Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany/CC BY-SA
1 October, 2023 - 14:57 Aleksa Vučković

Palmyra Busts - A Window into the Ancient Palmyra’s Customs

Throughout history, many ethnicities and civilizations were often distinguished by their funerary beliefs and burial customs. From the Egyptian pyramids to the Neolithic Passage tombs, burial always...
The perfectly preserved bronze mirror found in a shallow grave alongside the Hellenistic escort. Source: Yoli Schwartz / Israel Antiquities Authority
29 September, 2023 - 14:51 ashley cowie

High-Class Hellenistic Escort Remains Found At Roadside

The body of a Greek Hellenistic woman has been discovered in a shallow grave beside the highway to Jerusalem. Laid to rest with a rare box mirror, this was no ordinary female, as she was a highly-...
Goa Stone in Gold Case. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
28 September, 2023 - 01:57 Robbie Mitchell

Why is This Gallstone in Such an Extravagant Case? (Video)

This ornate casing, currently held by the New York Met, holds a mysterious secret, a captivating enigma in the world of art. Crafted from solid 22-karat gold , it exudes opulence with its intricate...
Head of Tutankhamun. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
27 September, 2023 - 02:00 Robbie Mitchell

Face of the Boy King: The Deeply Human Story Behind Tutankhamun's Head (Video)

This exquisite limestone sculpture, currently an exhibit at the New York Met, captures the youthful innocence of Tutankhamun , the boy king, at the tender age of six. Crafted with meticulous detail,...
Costume armor of German mercenary infantry troops. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
26 September, 2023 - 20:54 Robbie Mitchell

The Armor That Broke Away from All Established Standards (Video)

This exceptional piece of armor at the New York Met defies conventional expectations. Rather than a tool for battle, it takes on the role of ceremonial attire, drawing inspiration from the fashion...
Filippo Negroli helmet. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
26 September, 2023 - 02:01 Robbie Mitchell

What Makes This Helmet a Masterpiece of Renaissance Metalwork? (Video)

This Renaissance helmet , currently an exhibit at the New York Met, serves as an intriguing example of metal craftsmanship. In the refined circles of the Renaissance, connoisseurs examined such...
Relief carving of Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (r. ca. 883-859 BC). Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
25 September, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

Realism in Ancient Mesopotamian Relief Carvings (Video)

In the domain of ancient Mesopotamian art, the reliefs from Ashurnasirpal II's palace reign supreme. These monumental creations , though dispersed far and wide by Henry Austen Layard, possess a...
Obelisk at Amun Temple, Karnak, Luxor. Source: Andrej / Adobe Stock.
24 September, 2023 - 14:55 Jacinto De La R...

How Did They Do it? New Insights on the Ancient Obelisk Transportation Mystery

In the golden sands of ancient Egypt, behemoth stone structures known as obelisks have stood the test of time, narrating tales of a civilization's grandeur and prowess. These magnificent structures...
Marble capital and finial in the form of a sphinx. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
23 September, 2023 - 19:14 Robbie Mitchell

Why is the Sphinx Considered a Guardian Figure? (Video)

The Sphinx , an intriguing creature with the body of a lioness, avian wings, and a serpentine tail, is most commonly associated with the Egyptians but could also be found in Greek mythology . In fact...
Tibetan horse saddle. Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
23 September, 2023 - 02:00 Robbie Mitchell

How This Ornate Saddle Reflects Traditional Tibetan Culture (Video)

This intricate saddle serves as a remarkable embodiment of traditional Tibetan culture , transcending the Western stereotype of Tibet as solely defined by Buddhism . Rooted in a rich historical...
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cotswold District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Health and Emma Stuart, Corinium Museum Director. Proudly exhibiting the Roman swords recently found during a detectorist rally. Source: Cotswold district Council
21 September, 2023 - 14:51 ashley cowie

Two Out of Place Roman Swords Dug Up By Cotswolds Detectorist

A treasure hunter participating in a metal detectorist rally in England’s Cotswolds District unearthed not one, but two ancient Roman swords. These two weapons are unlike most Roman swords discovered...
Celestial globe with clockwork, 1579 (Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain)
20 September, 2023 - 23:00 Robbie Mitchell

This Globe Features Mythology, Science, and Technology (Video)

Crafted in the 16th century by Gerhard Emmoser for Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, the “ Celestial Globe with Clockwork” stands as a remarkable fusion of art, science, and engineering. It incorporates...
The Belles Herues of Jean de France, duc de Berry. The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
20 September, 2023 - 01:57 Robbie Mitchell

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...
Egyptian statue of two men and a boy that served as a domestic icon. Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
19 September, 2023 - 21:00 Robbie Mitchell

This Egyptian Statue Is Reminiscent of a Family Photo (Video)

This Egyptian statue , an exhibit at the New York MET, hails from around 1340 BC during the Amarna period and exudes a magnetic charm. These three male figures capture a profound naturalism, evident...
The Olmec mask in The Met Collection. Public Domain.
18 September, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

Uncovering the Met’s 3,000-Year-Old Olmec Mask (Video)

This ancient Olmec face, on display at the Met, stands as a remarkable exhibit that underscores the enduring power of art and the intriguing craftsmanship of the Olmec culture. While commonly labeled...
Assyrian relief carving, circa 883 to 859 BC, which includes a representation which looks surprisingly similar to modern-day handbags. Source: Public domain
17 September, 2023 - 23:00 Kerry Sullivan

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...
A Gothic boxwood miniature prayer bead. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.
15 September, 2023 - 20:51 Robbie Mitchell

The Intricate Carvings of Gothic Boxwood Miniature Prayer Beads (Video)

Unlocking centuries-old mysteries, Gothic Boxwood Miniature Prayer Beads have long baffled experts with their intricate scenes delicately carved into walnut-sized spheres during the 1400s and 1500s...

Pages