Images

A Qin dynasty crossbow (221-207 BCE). From Beiguan, Xian, China.

A composite skeleton that represents multiple individuals of Homo naledi, created from specimens found in the Dinaledi chamber in the Rising Star Cave, South Africa. The specimens have been dated to between 236,000 and 335,000 years old.

Skull of Homo naledi, who lived between 236,000 and 335,000 years ago and whose remains were found in the Rising Star Cave in South Africa. This particular skull was found in the Lesedi chamber. The scale bar represents 5 cm.

Geographical location of the Rising Star cave in the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the remains of Homo naledi were discovered in 2013 CE.

Schematic cross-section through a portion of the Rising Star cave system showing the Dinaledi Chamber, where fossils of Homo naledi were first discovered in 2013 CE.

A worker's tomb at the site of Deir el-Medina, a village for artists and masons who built the royal tombs in the nearby Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The village was in continuous use from the time of Thutmose I (1520-1492 BCE) until the collapse...

The site of Deir el-Medina, a worker's village for artists and masons who built the royal tombs in the nearby Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The village was in continuous use from the time of Thutmose I (1520-1492 BCE) until the collapse of...

This statue of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut is a prime example of the female king's penchant for blending male and female attributes in her artwork. It depicts the pharaoh bare chested in a kilt, yet with female facial features and breasts...

This limestone and plaster piece depicts the female pharaoh Maatkare Hatshepsut as a sphinx. She has the body and mane of a lion, with the head of a human. Carved between the paws of the statue is a cartouche enclosing the pharaoh's throne...

This black diorite statue of Maatkare Hatshepsut is a unique example of the king's personal artistic style. Most likely dating from the early years of her kingship, Hatshepsut is portrayed as fully-female, with breasts and delicate facial...