Images

An illustration of Tiridates the Great (Trdat IV), king of Armenia c. 298 - c. 330 CE. (From "Illustrated Armenia and Armenians" by Gaidzakian, Ohan, 1898 CE)

Neolithic site of Msoura (also given as Mzoura) near modern-day Asilah, Morocco. The site is a ring of 168 megaliths astronomically aligned around a tumulus which, legend claims, is the tomb of the king Antaeus, best known from the Greco-Roman...

This gold toggle was found with the body of Puabi herself inside her grave, by her upper left arm. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly a queen or priestess. The lapis lazuli head was carved, perforated, and polished...

This is a group of barrel-shaped beads of bitumen overlaid with four gold, four lapis lazuli, and two faceted cornelian beads. This jewellery was found by Puabi's thighs inside her grave, which might possibly have formed part of her belt...

The double ring is made of silver. This is surmounted by an electrum (an alloy of gold and silver) piece in the shape of a donkey or an onager. This reign ring was found fixed on the pole of a sledge, pulled by oxen, placed in Puabi's grave...

An artist's impression of ancient desert warfare in northern Africa, in this case depicting the Kushite army doing battle with the Masaesyli. The kingdom of Kush, situated in northern Africa, flourished between c. 1069 BCE and 350 CE, while...

The jewellery was found by Puabi's right shoulder inside her grave. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly a queen or priestess. Possibly this was part of her headdress. It is composed of three lapis lazuli and...

This group was found (together with the gold antelopes amulet) on Puabi's arm inside her grave. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly a queen or priestess. Early Dynastic Period. From the Royal Cemetery at Ur...

This gold fastener has an engraved spiral design on its quatrefoil head. The shank is pierced. It was found with a spare headdress on a table beside Puabi's bier inside her grave. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly...

Fired clay box with applied ornaments, possibly made for religious and magical purposes. As snakes renew their skin, they were considered a symbol of healing. Snakes were also respected by people because of their venom. From Ur, Southern...