Images

A 3rd century CE Roman sarcophagus depicting the prophet Jonah about to be swallowed by a giant fish, a story recounted in the Old Testament's Book of Jonah. (Vatican Museums, Rome)

Hagia Sophia from the Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey. First constructed 532-537 CE.

The crucifix on the dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, site of Golgotha, Jerusalem. Built during the reign of Constantine I in the 4th century CE.

This jar comes from the Kanbayashi archaeological site, which is located in Kitakatashi in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. It dates from the 2nd-1st century BCE, during the Yayoi Period. (Tokyo National Museum)

This ancient horn-shaped vessle was excavated at Shishuzuka Tumulus, which is located in Mihamacho, Fukui prefecture, Japan. It dates from the 6th century CE, during the Kofun period. (Tokyo National Museum)

This keg-shaped pot with an opening for pouring was excavated at Enomachi, in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan. It dates from the 6th century CE or during the Kofun period. Note the curious "wave-like" designs, which might function as decor. (Tokyo...

This jar was excavated from a box-style stone coffin in Daishogunyama Tumulus on Tsushima, the Japanese island closest to the Korean peninsula. Its round body was created by lightly beating the outer surface of the bottom part with a beating...

This ceremonial object in the shape of a staff is made of Jasper. It is Japanese and it dates to the 4th century CE, during the Kofun period. (Tokyo National Museum)

This gilt-bronze horse bit was excavated from Kenzaki Otsuka, which is located in Japan's Gumna prefecture. It dates from the 6th century CE, during the Kofun period. (Tokyo National Museum)

This haniwa warrior in tanko armor is a terracotta tomb figurine. It comes from Kamichujo in Saitama prefecture, Japan. It dates from the 5th-6th century CE, during the Kofun period. Important cultural property. (Tokyo National Museum)