Images

The Zen rock garden of Ryoanji temple, Kyoto, Japan. The garden dates to c. 1500 CE but the exact significance of its 15 stones is unknown except that they are designed to promote meditation.

A water basin in the form of a Chinese coin, Ryoanji temple, Kyoto, Japan. The Zen Buddhist temple was first built in the 15th century CE. The basin's inscription translates as ‘Learn only satisfaction’, meaning learning should have its own...

A map of the Kingdom of Mauretania, circa late 1st Century BCE.

This alabaster stele (with different registers) was fragmented when originally found and only three fragments have survived; two are in the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and one is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA. The stele commemorates...

This recumbent cow once decorated the facade of the Temple of Ninhursag at Tell al-'Ubaid, in modern-day Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Early Dynastic period, 2800-2600 BCE. On display at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq.

This alabaster stele (with different registers) was fragmented when originally found and only three fragments have survived; two are in the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and one is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA. The stele commemorates...

This colossal lamassu, one of a pair, was found at one of the north-west corridors of the North-West Palace of the Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (r. 884-859 BCE) at the city of Nimrud, Iraq. Created c. 883-859 BCE. On display at the Iraq...

This small limestone lamassu (which is one of a pair) was found in the city of Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), Iraq. Neo-Assyrian period, 911-612 BCE. On display at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq.

This basalt container was inscribed with the name of the Assyrian king Tukulti-Ninurta II (r. 891-884 BCE). It was probably used for placing flags before certain deities. From Nimrud, Iraq. On Display at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Republic...

Limestone stele of the Assyrian king Adad-Nirari III (r. 810-783 BCE) from Tell al-Rimah, in modern-day Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. The king is praying before gods and goddesses symbols. The cuneiform inscriptions mention the king's titles...