Images

The face of the Great Sphinx of Giza has been believed to depict Khafre, although this claim is disputed.

Silver stater coin, from Melos, Greece, c. 450 BCE. Some Greek cities used images for their names, so "readers" did not have to be literate. In Melos, an apple (mēlon) was used. The British Museum, London.

Before the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 CE, rulers in the south-east struck coins with Latin inscriptions. Verica is described as REX (king) and COOMI F (son of Commius). Gradually, names usually in Celtic, appeared on coins beyond the...

This is one of the first Roman portrait coins. Roman Republican coins did not usually depict living people, although a statue of the politician Sulla appeared on a coin during his lifetime. The son of Pompey the Great adapted a traditional...

This gold aureus is one of the first Roman portrait coins. Roman Republican coins did not usually depict living people, although a statue of the politician Sulla appeared on a coin during his lifetime. The son of Pompey the Great adapted...

Found in the ancient ruins of Arsameia, outside Kahta, Turkey, 15 km from the world heritage site of Nemrut Dagi, this stele portrays the meeting of Antiochus I (r. 70 BCE - c. 38 BCE) and Apollo. Antiochus - the ruler of the Commagene kingdom...

A copy of the Samguk Yusa ('Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms') by Iryeon, a 13th century CE text which covers the history and legends of Korea's founding right up to the 10th century CE. (Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for...

A bottle made from the white porcelain manufactured during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910 CE) of Korea. The design has an auspicious character and orchids. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

A typical pottery bowl from the Korean Neolithic period with pointed base and simple incised decoration. (National Museum of Korea, Seoul, South Korea)

Korean onggi lidded-jars, made since ancient times they are used for a multitude of purposes and carry simple decoration.