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.
Explore more amazing artifacts
—30 incredible treasures discovered in King Tut's tomb
—32 haunting shipwrecks from the ancient world
—32 stunning centuries-old hoards unearthed by metal detectorists
Latest about astonishing artifacts
Nabta Playa: A mysterious stone circle that may be the world's oldest astronomical observatory
By Tom Metcalfe published
Nabta Playa in Egypt is an ancient stone circle that researchers suspect was used to determine the summer solstice, which signaled rain was on the way.
Scythian on horseback: A 2,400-year-old gold sculpture of a warrior heading into battle
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The Scythians were a nomadic group known for creating elaborate gilded artworks.
Cave of Swimmers: 9,000-year-old rock art of people swimming in what's now the arid Sahara
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
This series of paintings, found inside a cave in the Sahara, shows a pair of swimmers.
Jade burial suit: 2,000-year-old 'immortality' armor worn by Chinese royalty
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The jade burial suit was made using thousands of pieces of jade held together with gold thread.
Babylonian Map of the World: The oldest known map of the ancient world
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The ancient map offers a glimpse of how the Babylonians viewed the world thousands of years ago.
Ancient Egyptian head cones: Mysterious headgear that could be related to sensuality and fertility rituals
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Archaeologists remain uncertain about the purpose of these head cones, but it appears that ancient Egyptians associated them with "sensuality, sexuality and related notions."
Bison Licking Insect Bite: A 14,000-year-old lifelike figure carved from a weapon
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The small carving was made 14,000 years ago by a group of hunters.
Arthur's Stone: A 5,700-year-old monument in England linked to the legend of King Arthur
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The large stone table is considered one of the most recognizable Neolithic monuments in England.
Buddhas of Bamiyan: The colossal twin statues that stood sentinel over Afghanistan — until the Taliban destroyed them
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The twin Buddha statues stood sentinel over a valley in Afghanistan until being destroyed by the Taliban. Now all that's left are two cavities.
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