Explore the diverse breathtaking moments From urban streets to remote landscapes across the globe

A tourist has sparked outrage in Greece after being photographed lifting an ancient marble fragment at the Temple of Apollo, raising serious concerns about the site's preservation. The marble appears to have been a loose piece — meaning that by being moved, it was likely scratched.

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A tourist has sparked outrage in Greece after being photographed lifting an ancient marble fragment at the Temple of Apollo, raising serious concerns about the site's preservation. The marble appears to have been a loose piece — meaning that by being moved, it was likely scratched.

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An aerial photo of the archaeological site of Delphi in Greece, and a reconstruction of the sacred precinct as it may have appeared in its heyday. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi

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An aerial photo of the archaeological site of Delphi in Greece, and a reconstruction of the sacred precinct as it may have appeared in its heyday. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi

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After 220 years, the Western pediment of the Parthenon has been restored to its most complete form. The restoration uses marble extracted from the same mountain as the ancient original, Mt Pentelicus.

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After 220 years, the Western pediment of the Parthenon has been restored to its most complete form. The restoration uses marble extracted from the same mountain as the ancient original, Mt Pentelicus.

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In 2012, archaeologists excavating the site of an ancient volcanic eruption in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, have found the well-preserved remains of a man in armor. He was trapped under hot ash by the eruption of Mount Haruna in the early 6th century CE

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In 2012, archaeologists excavating the site of an ancient volcanic eruption in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, have found the well-preserved remains of a man in armor. He was trapped under hot ash by the eruption of Mount Haruna in the early 6th century CE

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Man looking at the Empire State Building after a plane crashed into it on July 28, 1945. Photograph by Weegee; gelatin silver print. International Center of Photography collection

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Man looking at the Empire State Building after a plane crashed into it on July 28, 1945. Photograph by Weegee; gelatin silver print. International Center of Photography collection

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An ancient bronze griffin head dating back to the 7th century BC, has been repatriated to Greece from US after it was stolen nearly a century ago, marking the latest repatriation in a broader shift of the museum world to return stolen artifacts to their places of origin.

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An ancient bronze griffin head dating back to the 7th century BC, has been repatriated to Greece from US after it was stolen nearly a century ago, marking the latest repatriation in a broader shift of the museum world to return stolen artifacts to their places of origin.

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At Persepolis in Iran, dating 518 BC, this stone lion greets the viewer with a smiling face from the front, yet as you move to the side, the same lion appears fierce and angry. It is a masterpiece of ancient Persian art that captures both serenity and aggression.

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At Persepolis in Iran, dating 518 BC, this stone lion greets the viewer with a smiling face from the front, yet as you move to the side, the same lion appears fierce and angry. It is a masterpiece of ancient Persian art that captures both serenity and aggression.

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Guyaju Caves are the ruins of a cave complex, in China, that may have served as dwellings for a fortified community, probably between 1000 and 2000 years ago. The origins of the community are mysterious due to uncertainty about the founding people and later disappearance of the community

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Guyaju Caves are the ruins of a cave complex, in China, that may have served as dwellings for a fortified community, probably between 1000 and 2000 years ago. The origins of the community are mysterious due to uncertainty about the founding people and later disappearance of the community

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The Hammerum Girl found in grave 83 at the Hammerum burial site in Denmark, 78-313 CE. All that remain of the deceased was her hair and her clothing, but it was the best-preserved Danish Iron Age textile from an inhumation grave. The picture on the right is a reconstruction of her dress

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The Hammerum Girl found in grave 83 at the Hammerum burial site in Denmark, 78-313 CE. All that remain of the deceased was her hair and her clothing, but it was the best-preserved Danish Iron Age textile from an inhumation grave. The picture on the right is a reconstruction of her dress

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Located at the granite quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan, not far from the famous unfinished obelisk, another huge piece of rock was even closer to being freed

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Located at the granite quarries of ancient Egypt in Aswan, not far from the famous unfinished obelisk, another huge piece of rock was even closer to being freed

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For the first time in 200 years, the Parthenon’s exterior is completely free of scaffolding on all sides. It’s also the first time in 20 years that the western side has been scaffold-free. At least six generations have never seen the Parthenon unobstructed.

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For the first time in 200 years, the Parthenon’s exterior is completely free of scaffolding on all sides. It’s also the first time in 20 years that the western side has been scaffold-free. At least six generations have never seen the Parthenon unobstructed.

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Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Olympos, in Turkey’s Antalya Province, have uncovered last month a monumental Roman tomb, containing an ornate marble sarcophagus believed to have belonged to a member of the city’s aristocratic elite

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Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Olympos, in Turkey’s Antalya Province, have uncovered last month a monumental Roman tomb, containing an ornate marble sarcophagus believed to have belonged to a member of the city’s aristocratic elite

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Ancient Roman Fresco discovered in 2018 in what appears to have been a bedroom of a house in Pompeii.The "Leda e il cigno" depicts the god Jupiter in the guise of a Swan, impregnating Leda a legendary Queen of Sparta.

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Ancient Roman Fresco discovered in 2018 in what appears to have been a bedroom of a house in Pompeii.The "Leda e il cigno" depicts the god Jupiter in the guise of a Swan, impregnating Leda a legendary Queen of Sparta.

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The final edict of Emperor Wu of Han, one of the most significant ancient Chinese emperors, 87 BC. It was an instruction to his crown prince. Preserved by a copy on a piece of wood discovered in 1977. Full translation in the comments.

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The final edict of Emperor Wu of Han, one of the most significant ancient Chinese emperors, 87 BC. It was an instruction to his crown prince. Preserved by a copy on a piece of wood discovered in 1977. Full translation in the comments.

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A photo from 1934 showing the skeletons of a man and a woman found in the House of the Craftsman in Pompeii. In 2022, scientists have managed to sequence the genome of the man, revealing his genetic profile, and that he had been afflicted by tuberculosis during his lifetime

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A photo from 1934 showing the skeletons of a man and a woman found in the House of the Craftsman in Pompeii. In 2022, scientists have managed to sequence the genome of the man, revealing his genetic profile, and that he had been afflicted by tuberculosis during his lifetime

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A picture of the Minoan Palace of Minos in Crete, and a reconstruction of the palace as it may have appeared in its heyday. Built between 1900-1350 BCE, the palace was a complex of buildings which served as a combination religious and administrative centre rather than a royal residence

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A picture of the Minoan Palace of Minos in Crete, and a reconstruction of the palace as it may have appeared in its heyday. Built between 1900-1350 BCE, the palace was a complex of buildings which served as a combination religious and administrative centre rather than a royal residence

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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 Persian royal rhyton crafted from pure gold, widely regarded as the best-preserved example from the ancient world. Dating back to the Achaemenid Empire , it was discovered in Hamadan and is housed at the National Museum of Iran.

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A Persian royal rhyton crafted from pure gold, widely regarded as the best-preserved example from the ancient world. Dating back to the Achaemenid Empire , it was discovered in Hamadan and is housed at the National Museum of Iran.

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A Roman denarius minted around 76 AD to commemorate the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter. The reverse on this coin may have been defaced by someone who was unhappy about this event. Strangely enough, the temple burned down less than five years later.

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A Roman denarius minted around 76 AD to commemorate the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter. The reverse on this coin may have been defaced by someone who was unhappy about this event. Strangely enough, the temple burned down less than five years later.

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