Images

This table is made of clay and was found in Southern Iraq (3100-3000 BCE). Early writing was used as a way to keep track of the administration and it was only in later years its uses evolved. Early writing in Mesopotamia was made by pressing...

This bronze hand was found in Yemen (100-300 CE). The inscription on the hand asks for good fortune for the devotee Ta'lab. This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling exhibition A History of the World in...

This granite statue of Ramesses II was discovered at the Temple of Khnum, Elephantine, Egypt (1280 BCE). Ramesses II was a very successful ruler between around 1279-1213 BCE. Here he holds a crook and flail and wears a double crown, symbolising...

The Daeseongjeon Shrine at the Confucian School in Gangneung, Korea. Originally constructed during the Joseon Dynasty, 14th century CE.

Pair of sandals from Egypt, made of plaited reed and palm leaves or papyrus, with pointed toe, complete with ankle strap and toe strap now detached from each other.

The papyrus of Egypt is most closely associated with writing - in fact, the English word 'paper' comes from the word 'papyrus' - but the Egyptians found many uses for the plant other than a writing surface for documents and texts. Papyrus...

This bronze bell was found in China (600-400 BCE). Originally this bell would have belonged to a set of different sized bells, that would create different tones when struck. This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in...

This Seated Buddha was found in Gandhara, Pakistan (100-300 CE). This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling exhibition A History of the World in 100 (and 1) Objects.

This bust of Sophocles is made from marble and from Lazio, Italy (150 CE). Sophocles was a Greek playwright who wrote tragedies in the 5th century BCE. This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling exhibition...

This Jomon clay pot was found in Japan (5000 BCE). It was lacquered on the inside with gold in the 1800's when it became a water jar at Japanese tea gatherings. This image was taken at the National Museum of Australia in the travelling...