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This sword, made in Milan in 1560 CE, is one of the most remarkable achievements of Italian armourers. Its elaborate handle, virtuously cut in iron, suggests motion: The guard ends in triton figures, sea creatures form the guard ring and cover the hilt and pommel in flat relief

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This sword, made in Milan in 1560 CE, is one of the most remarkable achievements of Italian armourers. Its elaborate handle, virtuously cut in iron, suggests motion: The guard ends in triton figures, sea creatures form the guard ring and cover the hilt and pommel in flat relief

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A 2,500-year-old Persian Acinaces, one of the few remaining royal swords from the Achaemenid Empire in exceptional condition. Made of pure gold and related to the era of Darius the Great, it was discovered in Hamadan , and is housed at National Museum of Iran.

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A 2,500-year-old Persian Acinaces, one of the few remaining royal swords from the Achaemenid Empire in exceptional condition. Made of pure gold and related to the era of Darius the Great, it was discovered in Hamadan , and is housed at National Museum of Iran.

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China's oldest surviving city map is carved on a 3-meter-tall stone tablet. Known as the Map of Pingjiang, it was made in 1229 CE and covers the area within Suzhou's city walls with remarkable accuracy: 5 city gates, 359 bridges, 67 temples, and numerous streets, lanes, and canals

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China's oldest surviving city map is carved on a 3-meter-tall stone tablet. Known as the Map of Pingjiang, it was made in 1229 CE and covers the area within Suzhou's city walls with remarkable accuracy: 5 city gates, 359 bridges, 67 temples, and numerous streets, lanes, and canals

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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.

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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.

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Assyrian relief depicting Esarhaddon with his mother Naqi'a. She is one of the few women depicted in Assyrian art, and the only Assyrian figure other than a king to write a treaty.

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Assyrian relief depicting Esarhaddon with his mother Naqi'a. She is one of the few women depicted in Assyrian art, and the only Assyrian figure other than a king to write a treaty.

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La Pieta, one of Michelangelo's most revered sculptures, probably the most moving. He was 24 when he carved it. Mary suffers in silence. While her face remains serene, her hand betrays her emotions by saying at the same time there you have him and how could this possibly happen?...

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La Pieta, one of Michelangelo's most revered sculptures, probably the most moving. He was 24 when he carved it. Mary suffers in silence. While her face remains serene, her hand betrays her emotions by saying at the same time there you have him and how could this possibly happen?...

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A 15th century CE Vietnamese ceramic kneeling figure, now housed at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. The humorous features and the keris he wears suggest this figure might be one of the jesters at the Javanese courts

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A 15th century CE Vietnamese ceramic kneeling figure, now housed at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. The humorous features and the keris he wears suggest this figure might be one of the jesters at the Javanese courts

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The Sudarium of Saint Veronica is an engraving made by the French artist Claude Mellan in 1649 CE, created from a single spiralling unbroken line that starts at the tip of Jesus's nose. Claude Mellan's tour de force is one of the great achievements of printmaking

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The Sudarium of Saint Veronica is an engraving made by the French artist Claude Mellan in 1649 CE, created from a single spiralling unbroken line that starts at the tip of Jesus's nose. Claude Mellan's tour de force is one of the great achievements of printmaking

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A remarkable example of medieval craftsmanship, this ornate A remarkable example of medieval craftsmanship, this ornate reliquary foot dates back to late 12th Century and is housed in the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, Italy

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A remarkable example of medieval craftsmanship, this ornate A remarkable example of medieval craftsmanship, this ornate reliquary foot dates back to late 12th Century and is housed in the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, Italy

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Harmondsworth Great Barn is a medieval barn on the former Manor Farm in the village of Harmondsworth. Built in the early 15th century CE by Winchester College, it is the largest timber-framed building in England and is regarded as an outstanding example of medieval carpentry

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Harmondsworth Great Barn is a medieval barn on the former Manor Farm in the village of Harmondsworth. Built in the early 15th century CE by Winchester College, it is the largest timber-framed building in England and is regarded as an outstanding example of medieval carpentry

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The Garmsar Salt Cave features massive salt pillars that support its ceiling, formed and shaped by the Achaemenid Empire during salt extraction in 550–330 BC. Located in the Iranian county of the same name, the cave has 27 mines, and the one shown here is a popular tourist attraction.

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The Garmsar Salt Cave features massive salt pillars that support its ceiling, formed and shaped by the Achaemenid Empire during salt extraction in 550–330 BC. Located in the Iranian county of the same name, the cave has 27 mines, and the one shown here is a popular tourist attraction.

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This cup, made for Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria, is covered in white enamel inlaid with delicate gold leaf-and-tendril ornament, and studded with 36 large sapphires. The warrior in Classical armour on the lid holds aloft a sapphire ring. 1563 CE, now housed at the Munich Residenz

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This cup, made for Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria, is covered in white enamel inlaid with delicate gold leaf-and-tendril ornament, and studded with 36 large sapphires. The warrior in Classical armour on the lid holds aloft a sapphire ring. 1563 CE, now housed at the Munich Residenz

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A Bill of Mortality for the Great Plague of London in 1665. The official returns record 68,596 cases of plague, but a reasonable estimate suggests this figure is 30,000 short.

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A Bill of Mortality for the Great Plague of London in 1665. The official returns record 68,596 cases of plague, but a reasonable estimate suggests this figure is 30,000 short.

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Portrait head of Mithridates VI of Pontus as Hercules, made in the first century CE. Mithridates, one of the late Roman Republic's most formidable enemies, was also known for his mastery of poison.

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Portrait head of Mithridates VI of Pontus as Hercules, made in the first century CE. Mithridates, one of the late Roman Republic's most formidable enemies, was also known for his mastery of poison.

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Sumerian sculptures of male and female worshippers, found in the Tell Asmar Hoard in Iraq. The big eyes of the votive figures symbolize vigilance and constant prayer, representing the figures' role as stand-ins for worshippers in continuous communication with the gods

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Sumerian sculptures of male and female worshippers, found in the Tell Asmar Hoard in Iraq. The big eyes of the votive figures symbolize vigilance and constant prayer, representing the figures' role as stand-ins for worshippers in continuous communication with the gods

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