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
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Roman bath clog: The world's oldest shower shoes were found at a fort along Hadrian's WallAstonishing Artifacts The Romans were the first to wear clog-style footwear to the baths to protect their feet from the hot floor and to better navigate slippery surfaces.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Gessel gold hoard: A 3,300-year-old stash of gleaming treasures that's one of the largest Bronze Age hoards from EuropeAstonishing Artifacts The Gessel gold hoard is among the largest treasures ever discovered in prehistoric Europe but has only three pieces of jewelry in it.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Bead net funerary shroud: A 2,500-year-old beaded veil from Egypt depicting the deceased's transformation into OsirisAstonishing Artifacts This funerary shroud was made from thousands of multicolored beads and woven to represent a human face and a large scarab beetle.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
2 CommentsAstonishing Artifacts -
Daunian kyathos: A 2,700-year-old ceramic cup from Italy decorated with an exuberant-looking, bug-eyed fellowAstonishing Artifacts A pre-Roman ceramic cup or ladle that could inspire kitchenware today — this li'l dude is excited to mix!
By Kristina Killgrove Published
9 CommentsAstonishing Artifacts -
Lion's head pendant: An ancient Egyptian board game piece that was later repurposed into a magical religious object with baboonsAstonishing Artifacts An ancient Egyptian board game piece was repurposed centuries later in Sudan into a dazzling gold-and-amethyst pendant.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Athena bowl: A silver and gold vessel of the goddess and her owl, buried in a German forest 2,000 years agoAstonishing Artifacts The ornately decorated metal bowl was found as part of a hoard containing dozens of pieces of ancient Roman tableware.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
6 CommentsAstonishing Artifacts -
Miniature camelid effigy: A 600-year-old sculpture of a llama that may have been sacrificed in an Inca ritualAstonishing Artifacts Llamas were vital to the Inca Empire and were seen as both useful pack animals and sacred beings.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Idol of Pomos: A 5,000-year-old fertility figurine from Cyprus that wears a miniature version of herself on a necklaceAstonishing Artifacts The cross-shaped figurine has become a potent symbol of Cyprus' contribution to prehistory.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Beadnet dress: A 4,500-year-old ancient Egyptian funeral 'gown' that was in vogue during the Old KingdomAstonishing Artifacts This rare example of an ancient Egyptian beaded dress was likely crafted specifically for a woman's funeral.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
4 CommentsAstonishing Artifacts
