Gold in antiquity: Did you mean...?

This is the upper surface of the earring. Note how the cuneiform signs were carved and distributed and their distance from the center. The cuneiform text is read vertically, from the upper surface downwards on each segment, and it continues...

Gold stater from Lydia, reign of Croesus, 560-546 BCE. O: Lion and ox. R: Two incuse squares.

Macedonian gold stater from the reign of Philip II, 359-356 BCE. O: Head of Apollo. R: Charioteer driving a racing biga.

A photograph of liquid gold in a refinery.

A gold glove from a tomb of the Lambayeque Civilization of northern Peru, 900-1375 CE. (Museo Oro del Perú y Armas del Mundo, Lima, Peru)

In the Late Roman Period, precious metal that had been paid in tax was melted down into bars before being re-minted, to eliminate plated forgeries. Because local mint officials could be corrupt, the bars were stamped with the names of the...

Hairnet made of finely woven gold wires, 1st century CE (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome)

Gold crown ornaments from the Baekje kingdom of ancient Korea. From the tomb of King Muryeong (r. 501-523 BCE), near Gongju. National Treasure No. 155. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul)

Gold shield with the head of god Sebiumeker. From the treasure of the Nubian queen Amanishakheto, pyramid N6, Meroe, modern-day northern Sudan. Meroitic period, around 1 CE. (State Museum of Egyptian Art, Munich, Germany).

Gold myrtle wreath from Macedonia, 4th century BCE. A religious symbol, also indicating social position, it was worn at public appearances, religious ceremonies and symposia, and accompanied its owner to the grave. Archaeological Museum...