Images

These two fragments were part of wall decoration of the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep II. They depict deities (with long curled beard) wearing the crown of Lower Egypt (left) and Upper Egypt (right). New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reigned...

Made of terracotta and pressed into a mould, this figurine was dates to the 6th-7th century CE. It was discovered in Qaw el-Kebir, Egypt. It features a woman carrying a child, and was once covered in textile, possibly wool, fragments of which...

Made in the late 10th century CE, this ivory icon depicts the Koimesis, or death of the Virgin Mary. Also shown are Saints Peter and Paul. Measures 18.6 x 14.8 x 1.1 cm. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Found in Egypt, this limestone funerary stela, dating to 6th or 7th century CE, depicting a cross above a dove. The Greek inscription reads, "Single God, helping Rachel". Measures 57.4 cm in height, 42.5 cm in width.

This bowl, dating to the 14th-15th century CE, features a stylized figure of a woman. It is glazed on the inside, and partially on the outside. Made in Cyprus. Discovered in Cyprus. Measures 6.4 cm in height and 16.3 cm in diameter. (British...

This detail from a mosaic at Chora Church, Istanbul, depicts Maria Palaiologina. Also known as Mary of the Mongols, she was an illegitimate daughter of Michael VIII Palaiologos (reigned 1258-1282 CE). She married Abaqa Khan, and was highly...

Made in Constantinople in the 11th century CE, this casket is made of ivory and bone, and has gilded copper mounts. Depicted are dancers waging mock battles and taming a panther. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Sandstone stele showing the Candace (or queen) Amanishakheto of Meroe (r. c. 10 BCE–1 CE), from the Kingdom of Kush in what is now Sudan. She is here depicted between the goddess Amesemi and the god Apedemak. Dating from the 1st century BCE...

Knowth near Slane, County Meath, Ireland

This limestone statuette depicts a servant grinding grain on what appears to be a quern. Figurines and statuettes were placed insides tombs as early as the 1st Dynasty (3100-2890 BCE). The majority of them are doing bakery, brewery, butchery...