Images

This is an early example of a Book of the Dead papyrus by the scribe Userhat. The vignette shows the Field of Reeds, the goal of the blessed dead, in which agricultural activities were conducted. From Thebes, Egypt. 18th Dynasty, c. 1450...

A gilded bronze statue of the Phoenician god Reshef. From Byblos. (National Museum of Beirut)

A scene depicting a bird sacrifice, a common practice in the Phoenician religion. From the sarcophagus of Ahiram, king of Byblos. 10th century BCE. (Beirut National Museum)

This was among the first Achaemenid silver objects discovered in Iran. The light inscriptions are probably ancient marks of ownership. They were found on many other silver bowls. They confirm the comment made about the Persians by the 5th...

This magnificent glass cage cup is is decorated with scenes from the myth of Lycurgus, a king from Thrace. Lycurgus attacked Dionysos, the Greek god of wine, as well as the maenads (Dionysos' female followers) and Ambrosia the nymph. Ambrosia...

This is one of just 4 complete helmets to survive from Anglo-Saxon England. It has been painstakingly reconstructed from the shattered condition in which it was found. The Sutton Hoo Helmet's exceptional survival and haunting appearance have...

This rhyton is one of the most famous pieces of silverware to survive the Persian Empire. The front is in the form of winged griffin wearing a necklace originally inlaid with a semi-precious stone. The top is decorated with palmettes and...

This is one of a pair of golden armlets. These objects are among the most important surviving items from ancient Persian craftsmanship. It is likely that they were intended for display rather than being worn. The lion-griffin terminals were...

This gold fish-shaped vessel might have been used to contain expensive oils. On the side there is a loop intended for suspension or to attach a stopper which was later lost. The detail of the decoration suggests that it is an attempt to accurately...

This gold bowl was decorated with pushed-out lobes and lions standing on their hind-legs with their front paws raised. The shape and decoration of the bowl was made by hammering. Part of the Oxus treasure, from Takht-i Kuwad, Tajikistan...