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
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—32 stunning centuries-old hoards unearthed by metal detectorists
Latest about astonishing artifacts

Sandals of Tutankhamun: 3,300-year-old footwear that let King Tut walk all over his enemies
By Kristina Killgrove published
Among the sandals discovered in Tut's tomb is a pair whose insoles were decorated with images of the boy king's enemies.

Ribchester Helmet: A rare 'face mask' helmet worn by a Roman cavalry officer 1,900 years ago
By Kristina Killgrove published
The helmet has been a powerful symbol of Roman Britain since it was discovered over 200 years ago.

Varna Gold: Humanity's first gold jewelry was found in a cemetery with a gold 'penis sheath'
By Kristina Killgrove published
Archaeologists found hundreds of burials in the Copper Age cemetery in Varna, Bulgaria, some of which were littered with gold artifacts.

Nebra Sky Disc: The world's oldest depiction of astronomical phenomena — and it may depict the Pleiades
By Kristina Killgrove published
The unique bronze-and-gold Nebra Sky Disc appears to represent what the night sky looked like more than three millennia ago.

Tumba Madžari Great Mother: A boxy goddess figurine from North Macedonia designed to protect Stone Age houses 7,800 years ago
By Kristina Killgrove published
Stone Age people in Macedonia created goddess figurines whose bottom half was a house.

The Alfred Jewel: A 1,100-year-old treasure from England's first king that proclaims 'Alfred ordered me to be made'
By Kristina Killgrove published
This gold-encrusted jewel has an inscription revealing who made it.

Lchashen wagon: A 3,500-year-old covered wagon that transported a deceased chief to the next world
By Kristina Killgrove published
This 3,500-year-old covered wagon is the best-preserved example in the world of this ancient form of wheeled transport.

Magdala stone: 2,000-year-old carving from Jerusalem is world's oldest known depiction of a menorah
By Kristina Killgrove published
A pilgrim who visited the Second Temple in Jerusalem may have carved their memories into a limestone block for another synagogue.
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