Astonishing artifacts: A glimpse into how people lived in the past
Artifacts offer a window into the past, giving us information about people and cultures that existed centuries to millennia ago. From hoards of gold coins found hidden beneath floorboards to handmade pottery buried in caves, these intriguing objects are often the only physical evidence that remains. In some cases, the purpose or meaning of an artifact is lost to time, but its presence still reveals hints of what cultures valued or ritualized.
Each week, we showcase a different astonishing artifact that gives us new insight into how our ancestors lived.
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Latest about astonishing artifacts

Pazuzu figurine: An ancient statue of the Mesopotamian 'demon' god who inspired 'The Exorcist'
By Kristina Killgrove published
Statues of the Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu are often found at archaeological sites, and his cultural relevance is seen in recent comparisons to creepy-looking Labubu dolls.

Sabu Disk: A mysterious 5,000-year-old Egyptian stone sculpture that looks like a hubcap
By Kristina Killgrove published
This unique disk-shaped bowl, found in a 5,000-year-old Egyptian tomb, has puzzled archaeologists for nearly a century.

Hornelund Brooches: Viking age gold ornaments mysteriously buried in Denmark 1,000 years ago
By Kristina Killgrove published
Two brooches from Denmark are unique examples of Viking Age goldwork that includes Christian and Norse designs.

Meskalamdug's Helmet: One of the world's oldest helmets depicts a Mesopotamian prince's man bun
By Kristina Killgrove published
This 15-karat gold helmet was discovered in a royal tomb at Ur, but it may only have been worn for ceremonial purposes.

Vounous Bowl: A 4,000-year-old basin holding 4 miniature cows and 18 people — that was buried for mysterious reasons in a Bronze Age tomb in Cyprus
By Kristina Killgrove published
Experts have debated the meaning of this tomb offering for decades but generally agree it depicts some sort of ceremony or ritual.

Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries
By Kristina Killgrove published
There are more than 50 theories for the function of this 12-sided, pentagonal-faced bronze object — but archaeologists have never quite figured it out.

Penguin Vessel: 1,600-year-old Nazca depiction of a cold-water Humboldt penguin that lives in tropical Peru
By Kristina Killgrove published
A rare penguin-shaped pot reveals the Nazca's interest in depicting the wildlife around them.

Monomachos Crown: The 1,000-year-old crown honoring 'the one who fights alone' found by a farmer in a field
By Kristina Killgrove published
One of only three surviving Byzantine crowns, it depicts a man and two sisters who jointly ruled the empire in the 11th century.
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