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This vessel, like several other known examples from the Cupisnique culture of Peru, shows an acrobat or contortionist, in the midst of a backbend. In the acrobat’s hands are 2 objects, one perhaps a rattle or noisemaker 1200-500 BCE

ARTIFACT

This vessel, like several other known examples from the Cupisnique culture of Peru, shows an acrobat or contortionist, in the midst of a backbend. In the acrobat’s hands are 2 objects, one perhaps a rattle or noisemaker 1200-500 BCE

ARTIFACT / Photography

A ceramic whistle, from Peru, which depicts an individual with their hands near their mouth as if they were shouting or calling. A child appears above the person’s head as if being carried on his or her shoulders. Cupisnique culture, 200–500 BCE, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum

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A ceramic whistle, from Peru, which depicts an individual with their hands near their mouth as if they were shouting or calling. A child appears above the person’s head as if being carried on his or her shoulders. Cupisnique culture, 200–500 BCE, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum

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Roman marble sculpture showing the philosopher Socrates. The object is dated to the mid-1st century CE and is a copy of a Greek original from the 4th century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

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Roman marble sculpture showing the philosopher Socrates. The object is dated to the mid-1st century CE and is a copy of a Greek original from the 4th century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

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This artifact from a Hopewell mound serves as a testament to the culture's vast influence. Made of copper mined in Michigan, it’s shaped like a horn of a sheep not found in Ohio or Michigan but native to Wyoming, far from the southern Ohio mounds where it was found. 200 BCE-500 CE

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This artifact from a Hopewell mound serves as a testament to the culture's vast influence. Made of copper mined in Michigan, it’s shaped like a horn of a sheep not found in Ohio or Michigan but native to Wyoming, far from the southern Ohio mounds where it was found. 200 BCE-500 CE

ARTIFACT / Photography

An ancient sculpture showing a Greek strategist. The marble object was discovered in Herculaneum and is dated to the 1st century CE. It is probably a copy of a Greek original from the 5th century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

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An ancient sculpture showing a Greek strategist. The marble object was discovered in Herculaneum and is dated to the 1st century CE. It is probably a copy of a Greek original from the 5th century BCE. The artifact is in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A Moche portrait vessel of a man with a cleft lip and tattoos. 100 BCE–500 CE, from Peru, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago

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A Moche portrait vessel of a man with a cleft lip and tattoos. 100 BCE–500 CE, from Peru, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago

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This faded scrap of paper is the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta from 1856. Only one exists in the world, and it sold for $9.4 million, making it one of the most valuable objects per gram ever sold at auction.

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This faded scrap of paper is the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta from 1856. Only one exists in the world, and it sold for $9.4 million, making it one of the most valuable objects per gram ever sold at auction.

ARTIFACT / Photography

This faded scrap of paper is the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta from 1856. Only one exists in the world, and it sold for $9.4 million, making it one of the most valuable objects per gram ever sold at auction.

ARTIFACT

This faded scrap of paper is the British Guiana One-Cent Magenta from 1856. Only one exists in the world, and it sold for $9.4 million, making it one of the most valuable objects per gram ever sold at auction.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Roman sculpture showing an ancient river deity. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

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Roman sculpture showing an ancient river deity. The object dates back to the 2nd century CE. The artifact is located in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

ARTIFACT / Photography

10 Old Copper Culture Artifacts from the McCollum Site , southeastern Lake Nipigon, Ontario, Canada. This site's materials show connections with Wisconsin, Manitoba, and the northern Great Plains.

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10 Old Copper Culture Artifacts from the McCollum Site , southeastern Lake Nipigon, Ontario, Canada. This site's materials show connections with Wisconsin, Manitoba, and the northern Great Plains.

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Hejin City Fortress, in China, is a historic structure extensively renovated during the Ming Dynasty . However, its origins likely date back to earlier periods in Chinese history. The fortress is known for its massive walls made of rammed earth, brick, and stone

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Hejin City Fortress, in China, is a historic structure extensively renovated during the Ming Dynasty . However, its origins likely date back to earlier periods in Chinese history. The fortress is known for its massive walls made of rammed earth, brick, and stone

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A pendant from Paquimé in Mexico, 1200-1450 CE. The pendant is largely covered with a mosaic of more than 170 turquoise tiles, several hematite fragments, and a small copper rectangle. Now housed at the the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City

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A pendant from Paquimé in Mexico, 1200-1450 CE. The pendant is largely covered with a mosaic of more than 170 turquoise tiles, several hematite fragments, and a small copper rectangle. Now housed at the the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City

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Partially preserved marble head of a woman from Roman times - probably Venus . According to the researchers, the oxidation of the sculpture's brown eyelashes created tear-like spots. The object was discovered in Athens. It is now on display at the Acropolis museum.

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Partially preserved marble head of a woman from Roman times - probably Venus . According to the researchers, the oxidation of the sculpture's brown eyelashes created tear-like spots. The object was discovered in Athens. It is now on display at the Acropolis museum.

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A rather eclectic collection of medieval manuscripts from the 12th to 15th Centuries, recently acquired, all produced in France. There are charters, letters, and several bound records. The oldest piece is an inventory notice dated May 1241, for one Pierre de Castela

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A rather eclectic collection of medieval manuscripts from the 12th to 15th Centuries, recently acquired, all produced in France. There are charters, letters, and several bound records. The oldest piece is an inventory notice dated May 1241, for one Pierre de Castela

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The King's College Chapel, at the University of Cambridge, is considered one of the finest examples of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture and features the world's largest fan vault. The Chapel was built in phases by a succession of kings of England from 1446 to 1515 CE

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The King's College Chapel, at the University of Cambridge, is considered one of the finest examples of late Perpendicular Gothic English architecture and features the world's largest fan vault. The Chapel was built in phases by a succession of kings of England from 1446 to 1515 CE

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An Old Copper Culture 'III-D'-style Crescent Knife/Ulu . Similar to Arctic ulus, these are thought to be food-processing knives; other styles are thought to be ornaments. This one is from Minnesota, and many have been found across the Great Lakes region

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An Old Copper Culture 'III-D'-style Crescent Knife/Ulu . Similar to Arctic ulus, these are thought to be food-processing knives; other styles are thought to be ornaments. This one is from Minnesota, and many have been found across the Great Lakes region

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Part of the wall of Darius the Great's palace in Susa , which still retains its color after more than 2,500 years. Only two examples of this wall remains in the world today, one housed at the National Museum of Iran, and the other at Louvre.

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Part of the wall of Darius the Great's palace in Susa , which still retains its color after more than 2,500 years. Only two examples of this wall remains in the world today, one housed at the National Museum of Iran, and the other at Louvre.

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“Oxus Lady” with bird body. From Eastern Iran or Central Asia, Oxus Culture . Made of chlorite, limestone and lapis lazuli. Now part of a Private Collection in the UK

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“Oxus Lady” with bird body. From Eastern Iran or Central Asia, Oxus Culture . Made of chlorite, limestone and lapis lazuli. Now part of a Private Collection in the UK

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