Images

Wooden figure of the goddess Guanyin from 12th-centruy CE China.

A terracotta head of Shiva. He has the matted hair of an ascetic and on his forehead is the third eye of wisdom. 400-500 CE, northern India. (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford)

A representation of the Tonalpohualli – ‘Counting of the Days’ 260-day calendar used by ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Two systems ran simultaneously with a group of 13 numbered days combined with a group of 20 name days. Thus, each day had...

The Buddhist temple in Kunming, Yunnan province, China was first built in the late 8th and early 9th century CE, restored and expanded several times since.

According to tradition, White Horse Temple, founded in 68 CE is the oldest Buddhist temple in China.

This official military discharge comprising 2 inscribed bronze plates was a copy of a master held in Rome. It was issued by the Emperor Trajan to Reburrus, a Spanish junior officer (decurion) in the 1st Pannonian cavalry regoiment. The certificate...

This is also known as the Ilam pan, a souvenir of Hadrian's Wall. This colorful bronze pan lacks its handle and base. The flamboyant Celtic style ornement is inlaid with turquoise, blue and red enamel. The inscription below the rim lists...

The inscription "LEG II AVG" is marked both on and below a military standard flanked by a goat and a Pegasus. It records the completion of building work by the 2nd legion Augusta. The Pegasus and Capricorn were the emblems of that legion...

A two-piece helmet of embossed bronze consisting of a head piece and a face mask. The scene on the head piece is of a skirmish between infantry and cavalry. Fittings survive on the head piece for a crest-box and a pair of trailing streamers...

Vessels like the ship on this lamp were used by the British fleet whose duties included reconnaissance, warfare, and transport. From Colchester, Essex, UK. 1st century CE. The British Museum, London.