Images

An excavated structure at Skara Brae, the Neolithic Age village in Orkney, Scotland, inhabited 3100-2500 BCE.

A lion sculpture in marble from the island of Delos in the Greek Cyclades, 7th century BCE (this is a replica as the originals are now in the museum of Delos). Orignally nine or even as many as 16 lions lined an avenue in the sanctuary complex...

The Knap of Howar on the island of Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands, believed to be the oldest stone house in northern Europe (3700-3500 BCE).

Heather in the Scottish Highlands (between Perth and Aberdeen)

The Ness of Brodgar excavation site in Stenness, Orkney, Scotland. The site is dated to 3500 BCE and so predates both Stonehenge and the Pyramids at Giza. It was discovered in 2002 and excavations are ongoing.

A mask of jadeite from the Olmec civilization of the Gulf coast, Mesoamerica, 900-500 BCE. Provenance: Rio Pesquero, Mexico. (Dallas Museum of Art)

A ceramic storage jar from the Anasazi civilization of northern America. The jar displays the typical geometric black on red designs of the Wingate Style, 1125-1200 CE. (Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, USA).

A basalt colossal head from the Olmec civilization of Mesoamerica. Provenance: Veracruz, Mexico, 1200-900 BCE. The significance of the heads is disputed but as no two heads are alike and each headdress has distinctive designs they may represent...

A life-size ceramic 'baby' figurine from the Olmec civilization of Mexico, Mesoamerica, 12th-9th century BCE. The significance of these figures, often depicting infantile gestures, is not clear. They may represent deities or royalty. Provenance...

A Celtic parade helmet in bronze and iron covered in gold with coral inlay, c. 350 BCE. Found buried in a cave in Agris, western France. It is a fine example of the use of vegetal motifs in ancient Celtic art. (Bernisches Historisches Museum...