Images

This jug of bichrome ware was found in Cyprus. Cypro-Archaic 600-480 BCE. (National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology, Dublin, Republic of Ireland)

The Domhnach Airgid (silver church), made of wood, gilt copper alloy and silver, enamel, and rock crystal, from Clones, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, 8th and later 14th centuries. The shrine was given by Saint Patrick to Saint Macartan, founder...

Portrait of the Athenian tragedian Aeschylus, Roman copy of a Greek original from the 4th century BCE, from Italy (Neues Museum, Berlin).

Gold collar from the Broighter Gold (also called Broighter hoard) found near the ancient shore of Lough Foyle at Broighter, Co. Derry, Ireland, Iron Age, 1st century BCE. National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology, Dublin.

Limestone doorjamb block bearing the name of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II, from the Temple of Ptah at Memphis, reign of Ramesses II, 1279-1213 BCE. National Museum of Ireland-Archaeology, Dublin.

A map of the Roman Empire during the reign of Augustus 27 BCE - 14 CE. Yellow areas indicate the empire prior to Augustus' reign, green areas those gained subsequently, violet areas are client states of Rome.

The mummy, wrapped in linen bandages, is enclosed in a body-shaped envelope of cartonnage (a light-weight material composed of layers of gummed linen and plaster, which could be moulded to the desired shape. The surface is decorated with...

Buddha mural, Cave 10 from Ajanta, India. The rock-cut Buddhist cave shrines of Ajanta date from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE.

A panoramic view of the Ajanta Caves, India. The rock-cut Buddhist cave shrines date from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE.

Bell, made of two sheets of iron riveted together with a coat of bronze added to them, from Armagh, Co. Armagh, Ireland, 6th-8th century.The bell is reputed to have belonged to Saint Patrick and is one of the principal relics of Ireland...