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One of the most important Irish religious artefacts is a bell reputed to have belonged to St. Patrick. Around 1100, a shrine was made for the bell, beautifully decorated to represent the bell’s importance.

ARTIFACT

One of the most important Irish religious artefacts is a bell reputed to have belonged to St. Patrick. Around 1100, a shrine was made for the bell, beautifully decorated to represent the bell’s importance.

ARTIFACT / Photography

The Shrine of St. Patrick's Bell is a bell shrine reliquary dated to c. 1094–1105 CE, and is made of bronze, silver, gold, glass and rock crystal. It contains a c. 500 iron hand-bell which survives, and is a highpoint of Irish metalwork from the late Insular and early Romanesque periods

ARTIFACT

The Shrine of St. Patrick's Bell is a bell shrine reliquary dated to c. 1094–1105 CE, and is made of bronze, silver, gold, glass and rock crystal. It contains a c. 500 iron hand-bell which survives, and is a highpoint of Irish metalwork from the late Insular and early Romanesque periods

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The US has repatriated to Turkey one of Rome's most important surviving artifacts, the bronze statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius . The statue, which was smuggled out of Turkey, holds a special place in ancient history due to its rare depiction of Aurelius as a philosopher.

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The US has repatriated to Turkey one of Rome's most important surviving artifacts, the bronze statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius . The statue, which was smuggled out of Turkey, holds a special place in ancient history due to its rare depiction of Aurelius as a philosopher.

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In the calm waters of Lake Lednica, archaeologists have made a discovery that has reignited excitement around Ostrów Lednicki. This year's research uncovered four early medieval spearheads, including one richly decorated and covered in precious metals.

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In the calm waters of Lake Lednica, archaeologists have made a discovery that has reignited excitement around Ostrów Lednicki. This year's research uncovered four early medieval spearheads, including one richly decorated and covered in precious metals.

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In one of the most important discoveries of 2025, archaeologists have uncovered in Belize, the tomb of the founder of the Caracol dynasty, Teʼ Kʼab Chaak. The most remarkable object from the tomb, was a jade-and-shell mosaic death mask that once covered the face of the Maya king. 349 CE

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In one of the most important discoveries of 2025, archaeologists have uncovered in Belize, the tomb of the founder of the Caracol dynasty, Teʼ Kʼab Chaak. The most remarkable object from the tomb, was a jade-and-shell mosaic death mask that once covered the face of the Maya king. 349 CE

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In 2003, the upper half of a decapitated torso was discovered in a bog near Croghan Hill, a site important in Irish myths. Despite the man having been killed over 2,100 years old, the remains were so well-preserved that his fingerprints are still intact.

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In 2003, the upper half of a decapitated torso was discovered in a bog near Croghan Hill, a site important in Irish myths. Despite the man having been killed over 2,100 years old, the remains were so well-preserved that his fingerprints are still intact.

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The Colosseum from the Via Sacra, across the columns of the Temple of Venus and Rome. The Via Sacra was the main street of ancient Rome, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, through some of the most important religious sites of the Forum, to the Colosseum...

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The Colosseum from the Via Sacra, across the columns of the Temple of Venus and Rome. The Via Sacra was the main street of ancient Rome, leading from the top of the Capitoline Hill, through some of the most important religious sites of the Forum, to the Colosseum...

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The Green Stone lying in one of the storerooms of the Temple complex in Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittite Empire until it was destroyed around 1200 BC. The stone, which is thought to have been made from serpentinite, may have played a role in some religious cult

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The Green Stone lying in one of the storerooms of the Temple complex in Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittite Empire until it was destroyed around 1200 BC. The stone, which is thought to have been made from serpentinite, may have played a role in some religious cult

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2 blue glass cups made Ennion, who was one of the most prominent glassworkers of Ancient Rome, active from about 1 to 50 CE. He is famous for being the first known maker of decorated mold-blown glass, and for the exquisite quality of his work. Ennion branded his work by signing them

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2 blue glass cups made Ennion, who was one of the most prominent glassworkers of Ancient Rome, active from about 1 to 50 CE. He is famous for being the first known maker of decorated mold-blown glass, and for the exquisite quality of his work. Ennion branded his work by signing them

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Batu Larung is a large cylindrical stone that has a relief in the form of a human. It's one of the megaliths scattered in the Merangin district, in Indonesia, and which are strongly suspected to have been used for religious activities by the local residents, around thousands of years ago

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Batu Larung is a large cylindrical stone that has a relief in the form of a human. It's one of the megaliths scattered in the Merangin district, in Indonesia, and which are strongly suspected to have been used for religious activities by the local residents, around thousands of years ago

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These clay sculpture are part of a group known as the 11 Lords of Cacaxtla, found in San Miguel del Milagro. These sculptures, which at one time were part of an important building, probably represent priests or deities, dressed in headdresses and elaborate costumes. 600-1000 CE, Mexico

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These clay sculpture are part of a group known as the 11 Lords of Cacaxtla, found in San Miguel del Milagro. These sculptures, which at one time were part of an important building, probably represent priests or deities, dressed in headdresses and elaborate costumes. 600-1000 CE, Mexico

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Dea Dardanica is a marble sculpture, found in Kosovo and made in the 2nd-3rd century CE, that represents an ancient goddess. While the exact nature of her worship and beliefs surrounding her vary, she is generally understood to have been revered by the indigenous Dardanian people

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Dea Dardanica is a marble sculpture, found in Kosovo and made in the 2nd-3rd century CE, that represents an ancient goddess. While the exact nature of her worship and beliefs surrounding her vary, she is generally understood to have been revered by the indigenous Dardanian people

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Portrait of a Roman - around 25 years old - made on wood. The man was certainly of better origin. The object is dated to 31 BCE.

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Portrait of a Roman - around 25 years old - made on wood. The man was certainly of better origin. The object is dated to 31 BCE.

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The Gold Inlaid Double-Edged Iron Halberd owned by the Oyamazumi Shrine in Imabari City, Japan. Believed to have been made in the 5th century CE, its unparalleled integrity as a handed-down artifact has led to it being designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan

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The Gold Inlaid Double-Edged Iron Halberd owned by the Oyamazumi Shrine in Imabari City, Japan. Believed to have been made in the 5th century CE, its unparalleled integrity as a handed-down artifact has led to it being designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan

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The beautifully preserved marble head of the Roman goddess that was part of the Venus' or Minerva's statue. The object was found on Esquiline in Rome. You can still see traces of polychrome - stone painting. Currently, the artifact can be admired at The British Museum.

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The beautifully preserved marble head of the Roman goddess that was part of the Venus' or Minerva's statue. The object was found on Esquiline in Rome. You can still see traces of polychrome - stone painting. Currently, the artifact can be admired at The British Museum.

ARTIFACT / Photography

The beautifully preserved marble head of the Roman goddess that was part of the Venus' or Minerva's statue. The object was found on Esquiline in Rome. You can still see traces of polychrome - stone painting. Currently, the artifact can be admired at The British Museum.

ARTIFACT

The beautifully preserved marble head of the Roman goddess that was part of the Venus' or Minerva's statue. The object was found on Esquiline in Rome. You can still see traces of polychrome - stone painting. Currently, the artifact can be admired at The British Museum.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Beautiful silver fibula from Roman times. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and was found in Viminacium .

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Beautiful silver fibula from Roman times. The object is dated to the 1st century CE and was found in Viminacium .

ARTIFACT / Photography

In one of the rooms of a luxurious Roman villa in Noheda a beautiful composition was found showing mythological scenes from Greek and Roman culture. The mosaic is really impressive as it has over 230 m2.

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In one of the rooms of a luxurious Roman villa in Noheda a beautiful composition was found showing mythological scenes from Greek and Roman culture. The mosaic is really impressive as it has over 230 m2.

ARTIFACT / Photography

In one of the rooms of a luxurious Roman villa in Noheda a beautiful composition was found showing mythological scenes from Greek and Roman culture. The mosaic is really impressive as it has over 230 m2.

ARTIFACT

In one of the rooms of a luxurious Roman villa in Noheda a beautiful composition was found showing mythological scenes from Greek and Roman culture. The mosaic is really impressive as it has over 230 m2.

ARTIFACT / Photography

When a Roman mosaic was discovered in modern-day Turkey, it was found to be so well made that it preserved the wave of an earthquake without breaking the pattern.

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When a Roman mosaic was discovered in modern-day Turkey, it was found to be so well made that it preserved the wave of an earthquake without breaking the pattern.

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