Images

Upper part of a seated granite statue of Ramesses II of Egypt (c. 1270 BCE). It was found in the pharaoh's mortuary temple in the Ramesseum in western Thebes. The granite is naturally two-coloured: The darker bottom colour was deliberately...

This bronze helmet has a crest with detachable horns shaped like horse-headed sea-monsters. The origin is unclear, it is perhaps a Messapian helmet from southern Italy. Circa 325-275 BCE. Castellani Collection, Bronze 2824, British Museum...

Stone megaliths at Carnac, Brittany, France.

This painting shows Egyptian cattle being counted by scribes. The painting found part in the tomb of Nebamun (c. 1350 BCE), an wealthy Egyptian accountant ("scribe and counter of grain") during the New Kingdom period. The paintings are...

An Egyptian servant is carrying two desert hares as offering to Nebamun, a rich Egyptian accountant. This photo is a detail of a larger procession of agricultural offerings. From the tomb of Nebamun (c. 1350 BCE). British Museum, London...

This painting from the Tomb of Nebamun (c. 1350 BCE) shows women making music and other almost naked women dancing.

These paintings from the tomb of Nebamun (c. 1350 BCE) show the New Kingdom period accountant Nebamun hunting birds in the marshes of Egypt. He is accompanied by his wife and daughter. Scenes like these of the deceased enjoying himself were...

Detail of the head of an Assyrian protective spirit with the head of an eagle, found in the temple of Ninurta at Kalhu (Nimrud), c. 865-860 BCE. The British Museum, London.

Granite sphinx of Taharqa, 25th Dynasty, c. 690-664 BCE. This statue from Kawa (Temple T) in Sudan shows the Pharaoh's face on a Lion figured sphinx, a form of royal representation borrowed from Middle and New Kingdom art. Taharqa was...

This is a terracotta bust of the Roman wine-god Bacchus, 50-100 CE. Found near Porta Latina, Rome. Townley Collection, Terracotta D 432, British Museum, London, UK.