True colours of ancient sculptures

When we think of statues and buildings of the classical period, we tend to imagine white marble; scientists in recent years have discovered that it is, in fact, most likely that many of the buildings and statues were painted and, probably, adorned with jewelry.White marble has been the norm ever since the Renaissance, when classical antiquities first began to emerge from the earth. The sculpture of...

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The zweihänder sword that belonged to Grutte Pier (1480-1520), Friesian pirate and warlord.

In the early sixteenth century, Friesland was under the authority of George, Duke of Saxony. However, Charles, Duke of Egmond or Guelders, was also keen on possessing the Frisian region, resulting in a battle between their supporters. After George, Duke of Saxony, had given the territory to Charles of Egmond, yet another war broke out, this time between the Frisians and Holland. This war formed the...

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2000 years old die from Egypt (with 20 sides)

Nothing specific about the use of these polyhedra is preserved, so theories are built on clues provided by some variant examples. One unusual example uses Greek words, a few of which resemble those associated with throws of the astragals (knucklebones), and this has led to suggestions they were used for games. Another remarkable example discovered in Dakhleh Oasis in Egypt in the 1980s records an...

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Unfinished obelisk in Aswan (Egypt) - largest known ancient obelisk, 1500 years old.

The largest known Egyptian obelisk is called the “unfinished obelisk”, which today can be found exactly where it was once semi-carved from the solid bedrock. This stone block was intended to be a 120ft / 36m tall obelisk. It is estimated that a block of granite this size would easily weigh more than a 1000 tons, some geologists have suggested a figure in the region of 1100 tons – 1150 tons.The obelisk's...

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Collection of historical artifacts

Axe of Pharaoh Ahmose, Egypt, c. 1539–1514 BCEDetails made of stone on Sidi Saiyyed Mosque,1573Remains of a soldier killed during the Battle of Waterloo with a musket ball found inside the soldier’s ribcageCrown of Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachos, circa 1042Iron slave collar, Roman. Fourth century CEGreek sling-shot with the inscription ΔΕΞΑΙ (DEXAI) which means "Catch!". 4thC BCCorinthian...

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Walls of Saksaywaman - magnificent example of Inca masonry.

At an elevation of more than 12,000 feet in the northern outskirts of the city of Cuzco, Peru, we find the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuaman whose immense stone walls are believed to hold secrets which predate the Inca themselves. Surface collections and analysis of pottery at Sacsayhuaman indicate that the earliest occupation of the hill top dates back at least a millennium, making it one of the oldest...

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Garum - ancient roman's ketchup

The best thing you never heard of is called colatura di alici, or garum, its ancient name.Garum and other similar fish-based sauces were the ketchup of the ancient world, mass produced in factories by the Romans, and sprinkled on anything savory. They usually made several versions: a dark-colored table condiment that was high in protein, a cooking sauce similar to Thai and Vietnamese fish sauces (sometimes...

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Meet the Romans

I highly recomend this fascinating documentary. Meet the Romans by Mary bea...

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Pireus Lion: ancient greek sculpture with viking runic inscriptions made in 11th century. Now in Venice.

At the Arsenale in Venice stands a white marble lion whose story stretches from the classical world to the decline of the Ottoman Empire, via the Vikings. Around three metres in height, the Piraeus Lion was one of a pair of statues that stood guard – probably as a fountain – at the Athenian port of Piraeus, having been sculpted circa 360 BC.Originally stationed at the Piraeus harbor near Athens, the...

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An Egyptian floor mosaic depicting a dog and a knocked-over gold vessel. c. 200-100 BC

A floor mosaic using tesserae made of minute stone cubes, ranging from one to four millimetres in the opus vermiculatum technique.The central medallion or emblem carries the picture of a dog, the first time ever such a motif is found on a floor mosaic in Alexandria. The dog is resting on his hind legs close to an upturned Greek vessel. The naturalistic image expresses strength and vitality, which...

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Gobekli Tepe: where the religion was born.

We used to think agriculture gave rise to cities and later to writing, art, and religion. Now the world’s oldest temple suggests the urge to worship sparked civilization. Göbekli Tepe is the oldest place of worship ever discovered, predating the Egyptian pyramids by 6,500 years. Peerless in architecture and artistry, this monument is a true wonder to behold.Carbon dating of vegetable materials from...

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The horn of the last aurochs bull, which died in 1620

Aurochs roamed much of Asia and Europe for 250,000 years and were recorded by cave men in striking paintings at Lascaux, France, 17,000 years ago. They were a large breed of cattle, standing up to 1.8m in height, and was ancestor to modern domestic breeds. Aurochs had huge curved horns that characterised the breed – in some the horns could reach 80cm in length – and their legs were longer than...

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