Images

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)

This clay tablet with sutra inscriptions was excavated at Komachizuka Sutra Mound in Tanga, which is located in Mie prefecture, Japan. It dates to 1174 CE (Jo'an 4). Important cultural property. (Tokyo National Museum)

This unusual object made of clay was excavated at Musota in Wakayama prefecture, Japan. It dates from the 5th century CE, during the Kofun period. It may have been used for ritualistic purposes. (Tokyo National Museum)

These golden jewels come from the Niizama Senzuka No. 126 Tumulus, which is located in Kawanishicho, Nara prefecture, Japan. They date the 5th century CE, during the Kofun period. (Tokyo National Museum)

This inkstone was excavated at Miyahara No. 1 Tumulus in Miyahara, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. It dates from the 7th century CE, during the Kofun period. (Tokyo National Museum)

This whale bone spade comes from Japan and dates from the Jomon period, between the 2nd-1st century BCE. (Tokyo National Museum)

These bronze Japanese hallberds date from the Yayoi period, between the 2nd-1st century BCE. (Tokyo National Museum)

The walls are the most important monument that has come to us from Hellenistic Gela, preserved in a truly extraordinary way thanks to the sudden cover-up of the area. They are located at the western end of the modern city, in the locality...

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)