Images

A screen shot from the virtual tour of the Antalya Archaeological Museum, one of Turkey's largest museums. Thanks to the new Sanal Muze digital portal released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey in 2020 CE, history lovers and...

A replica of the Cammin Casket (that held the relics of Saint Cordula), a masterpiece of Viking Age art, c. 1000 CE, decorated in the Mammen style and found in Kamen Pomorski, Poland. The original disappeared during World War II.

"Heimdall an der Himmelsbrücke" (Heimdall stands by the bridge), illustration by Emil Doepler (1855-1922) depicting the Norse god Heimdall blowing into Gjallarhorn, first published in Walhall, die Götterwelt der Germanen, c. 1905.

Silver bossed penannular brooch, found in Waterford, England. 9th-10th Century CE. Hoop with trapezoidal terminals, animal heads at join between hoop and terminal. Diameter: 10.5 cm (4.1 in). (Courtesy of the British Museum)

An Akfrefena, a type of Ashanti state sword, with a sharkskin and antelope hide scabbard. Steel blade, with wooden handle, decorated with gold leaf. Ghana. 19th Century CE. 70 cm (27.4 in) x 7.5 cm (2.9 in). (Courtesy of the British Museum)

A rapier made by German swordmaker Meves Berns c. 1610-1620 CE. Steel blade, hilt decorated with silver and copper wire. Solingen, Germany. 120.2 cm (47 5/16 in). (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art)

A rapier signed by the Spanish swordmaker Juan Martinez in 1580 CE. The handle is decorated with gold, copper wire, wood, and velvet. Toledo, Spain. (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art)

This richly decorated Sasanian sword and scabbard was produced in 7th Century CE. The Sasanians adopted this style of sword from the Huns, a nomadic people who came into conflict with the Sasanian Empire in the 5th Century CE. Iron blade...

A 10th Century CE steel sword, likely made in Scandinavia. The high quality of the pattern-welded steel blade, and beautiful decoration on the hilt, indicates that it was owned by a high status warrior. Steel blade, decorated with copper...

A straight bronze sword from the Egyptian New Kingdom. Length: 52 cm (20 1.2 in). Thebes, Egypt. 18th Dynasty, 1550–1458 BCE. (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art)