Images

A carved ivory hip pendant in the form of a mask. The kingdom of Benin (13-19th century CE) in West Africa (modern southern Nigeria). With bronze and iron inlays. Possibly depicting Queen Idia. Benin City, 16th century CE. Height: 24.5 cm...

A Hittite Lion Tub lying among the ruins of the Great Temple at Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Empire. The basin was originally 5.5 metres long, and featured crouching lions at all four corners. It probably had a role in cult rituals.

The Lion Gate at Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Empire. The gate, dated to the 13th century BCE, was flanked by two towers. The head of the lion on the left had already been broken away in antiquity. It has been reconstructed in 2011...

The Temple District in the Upper City of Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Empire in the Late Bronze Age. Twenty-four different sacred buildings have been identified, they vary greatly in dimensions.

Engraving from a relief at Yazilikaya by French archaeologist Charles Texier (1882). Teshub stands on two deified mountains (depicted as men) alongside his wife Hepatu, who is standing on the back of a panther. Behind her, their son, their...

A carved wooden doorway typical of Swahili Coast architecture (12th - 15th century CE). Mombasa old town, Kenya.

This is a political map of India showing the important kingdoms that existed around 625 CE. The predominant powers are the Pushyabhutis under Emperor Harshavardhana or Harsha (606-647 CE) in northern India, the (Vatapi) Chalukyas under Emperor...

This is a political map of India showing the important kingdoms that existed around 590 CE after the disintegration of the Gupta Empire (3rd century CE to 6th century CE). The main players appear to be the Chalukyas in the south and the...

Coin issued by the Gauda king Shashanka (c. late 6th century CE to 637 CE). It shows the Hindu god Shiva seated on his bull on one side and the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, on the other.

This seal was found in the fort at Rohtas, Bihar state, India, carved into the rock of the hillfort. It records the name of a Mahasamanta (high-ranking feudatory) Shashankadeva. This seal was thus issued in the late 6th century CE by Shashankadeva...