Images

The ruins of Teishebaini (aka Tesebaini, near modern Yerevan in Armenia) which was an important fortress city of the Urartu civilization. Founded in the reign of king Rusa II (r. c. 685-645 BCE) and abandoned c. 590 BCE.

A portion of a wall painting from Erebuni, a fortress complex of the Urartu civilization (9th-6th century BCE). 8th century BCE. Armenian Historical Museum, Yerevan.

A bronze quiver of the Urartu civilization (9th-6th century BCE) from Teishebaini (Kamir-Blur, Armenia). It is inscribed with the name of King Sarduri II (r. c. 760-743 BCE). (Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg)

A bronze sculpture, once part of a throne, depicting a deity riding a bull. Urartu civilization, 8th-7th century BCE. The bull's face is a modern restoration. Height: 14.6 cm. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

A silver medallion with gold foil addition depicting a seated god and worshipper. Urartu civilization, 8th-7th century BCE. Diameter: 6 cm. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Animal bone segments (early bronze age, c. 2169 - c. 1500 BCE), between 13-15 centimeters in length, sometimes decorated with incisions on which, successively, have been carried out globules in relief. Their uses are not yet known, although...

Stone door (early bronze Age, c. 2169 - c. 1500 BCE) closing of a grave dug in the rock, decorated in relief with spiral shaped motifs. On it are carved images that could allude to the sexual act and, therefore, to the continuation of life...

Four handled large bowl from Sicily (late Bronze Age, second half 8th century BCE - second half 7th century BCE) embellished with geometric patterns. The engravings consist of groups of lines, triangles with internal hatches and other inscribed...

Large wash basin on a high foot with bifid handle (c. 1500-c. 1200 BCE), richly decorated with geometric engravings. Thapsos Culture, Sicily. (Pencil drawing by Gina Pardo).

One of the most evocative settlements of Sicilian prehistory (c.1250 - c. 700 BCE) with thousands of excavated tombs in the steep walls of mountain chasms that overlook the valleys of the rivers Anapo and Calcinara, in the Syracuse interior...