Images

This doban or clay tablet is from the Fukuda Shell Mound in what is present-day Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. It dates from the Jomon period, between 1000-400 BCE. Important cultural property. (Tokyo National Museum)

This stone ritual object comes from Japan and dates to the Jomon period, between 3000-400 BCE. (Tokyo National Museum)

This prehistoric domen clay mask is from Kami Hata in Nagano, Japan. It dates from the Jomon period or roughly from 2000-1000 BCE. (Tokyo National Museum)

Map of Kievan Rus territories during the feudal split, after the death of Prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1054 CE.

Ancient astronomical observatory near Mezhyrich Village, Pavlogradsky District, Dniprovsky Region, Ukraine. Built in the II millennium BCE by Indo-European tribes. It takes the form of a crab.

Scythian pectoral, created by Greek masters from Athens or Panticapaea, 4th century BCE. Found on 21 June 1971 in a mound of the Scythian period, near the city of Ordzhonikidze of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine.

This piece of obsidian dates from the Paleolithic period or c. 18000 BCE, and it was uncovered in Engarau-cho on Japan's Hokkaido island. It helped prehistoric Japanese people in making stone tools. (Tokyo National Museum)

This Japanese statuette of Hoharamitsu Bosatsu dates from the 12th century CE and the Heian Period. It was excavated at Mt. Nachi in Wakayama, Japan, and it is made of gilt bronze. (Tokyo National Museum)

This Japanese statuette of Buddha dates from the 12th century CE and the Heian Period. It was excavated at Mt. Nachi in Wakayama, Japan, and it is made of gilt bronze. (Tokyo National Museum)

This ancient Japanese jar dates from the 8th century CE, which corresponds to the Nara period in Japanese history. It is made of clay and natural glaze. (Tokyo National Museum)