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

This is the city of Hamadan, founded in the 12th century BC. It became the first Iranian capital in 700 BC, chosen by both the Achaemenid and Parthian Empires as their summer capital, looted by Alexander, sacked by the Mongols, yet still holds its ancient layout with 600,000 inhabitants.

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This is the city of Hamadan, founded in the 12th century BC. It became the first Iranian capital in 700 BC, chosen by both the Achaemenid and Parthian Empires as their summer capital, looted by Alexander, sacked by the Mongols, yet still holds its ancient layout with 600,000 inhabitants.

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This thin-walled pottery bowl was made over 6000 years ago at a pre-historic site known as Tall-i Bakun, just 3km south of what later became the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in Persepolis, Iran.

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This thin-walled pottery bowl was made over 6000 years ago at a pre-historic site known as Tall-i Bakun, just 3km south of what later became the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in Persepolis, Iran.

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Arg-e Bam in the Iranian city of Bam, is the world's largest adobe building, with an antiquity traced back to at least the Achaemenid Empire . A World Heritage Site, it flourished from the 7th to 11th centuries AD as a producer of silk and cotton garments along the Silk Road.

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Arg-e Bam in the Iranian city of Bam, is the world's largest adobe building, with an antiquity traced back to at least the Achaemenid Empire . A World Heritage Site, it flourished from the 7th to 11th centuries AD as a producer of silk and cotton garments along the Silk Road.

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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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Then and Now: Chogha Zanbil is a ancient Elamite city built around 1250 BC in Khuzestan Province of Iran. Considered to be the best preserved example of an stepped pyramidal monument, it was the first Iranian site inscribed on the World Heritage List nearly half a century ago.

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Then and Now: Chogha Zanbil is a ancient Elamite city built around 1250 BC in Khuzestan Province of Iran. Considered to be the best preserved example of an stepped pyramidal monument, it was the first Iranian site inscribed on the World Heritage List nearly half a century ago.

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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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These 3rd century CE medallions were found by chance in Egypt in 1902 and formed part of a hoard of 20 medallions, 600 gold coins and 20 stamped gold ingots. The medallions were commissioned to honor Emperor Caracalla, representing him as the descendant of Alexander the Great

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These 3rd century CE medallions were found by chance in Egypt in 1902 and formed part of a hoard of 20 medallions, 600 gold coins and 20 stamped gold ingots. The medallions were commissioned to honor Emperor Caracalla, representing him as the descendant of Alexander the Great

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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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Meymand is a very ancient village in Iran. It is believed to be a primary human residence in the Iranian Plateau, dating back to 12,000 years ago. Many of the residents live in the 350 hand-dug houses amid the rocks, some of which have been inhabited for as long as 3,000 years

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Meymand is a very ancient village in Iran. It is believed to be a primary human residence in the Iranian Plateau, dating back to 12,000 years ago. Many of the residents live in the 350 hand-dug houses amid the rocks, some of which have been inhabited for as long as 3,000 years

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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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Amphitheater, Roman city of Augusta Emerita, Merida, Spain. Constructed in 8 BC to complement the theater built next to it some 7 years earlier. This fighting ground was used until the fall of the Empire in the 4th century and ended partially underground. It was uncovered in 1912...

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Amphitheater, Roman city of Augusta Emerita, Merida, Spain. Constructed in 8 BC to complement the theater built next to it some 7 years earlier. This fighting ground was used until the fall of the Empire in the 4th century and ended partially underground. It was uncovered in 1912...

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A winged Lion holding a lantern surrounded by leafes. This artefact is part of a Piller tucked into a wall where this lion is the crown part of that piller. Location: Shabwa, Yemen. Time period: 13th century BC - 3rd century AD More below.

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A winged Lion holding a lantern surrounded by leafes. This artefact is part of a Piller tucked into a wall where this lion is the crown part of that piller. Location: Shabwa, Yemen. Time period: 13th century BC - 3rd century AD More below.

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A historic discovery has been made in the Iranian city of Abdanan, where archaeologists have founded the lost region which Darius the Great called it in a inscription as "ABIRĀDŪŠ" , an area with three mines dug into mountain where the stones of his palace in Susa came from.

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A historic discovery has been made in the Iranian city of Abdanan, where archaeologists have founded the lost region which Darius the Great called it in a inscription as "ABIRĀDŪŠ" , an area with three mines dug into mountain where the stones of his palace in Susa came from.

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Bronze Drum from the Idaean Cave. In ancient Greece, the tympanon was a type of circular, shallow tambourine, beaten with the palm of the hand or a stick. This one dates from the 8th century BC and is considered the first to appear in Greek art. It is a votive bronze disc found...

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Bronze Drum from the Idaean Cave. In ancient Greece, the tympanon was a type of circular, shallow tambourine, beaten with the palm of the hand or a stick. This one dates from the 8th century BC and is considered the first to appear in Greek art. It is a votive bronze disc found...

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Royal staff handle from the Achaemenid Empire . It features a cylindrical gold socket, ending in two lapis lazuli lion heads. The socket is decorated with repoussé work, and traces of ivory or bone remain inside. On display at the Iranian Gallery, British Museum.

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Royal staff handle from the Achaemenid Empire . It features a cylindrical gold socket, ending in two lapis lazuli lion heads. The socket is decorated with repoussé work, and traces of ivory or bone remain inside. On display at the Iranian Gallery, British Museum.

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When Alexander marched toward Persepolis in 330 BC and set the city ablaze, Persian artisans were carving the capital of a new column. Over 2,300 years later, the unfinished capital still sits on the same stone base where it was being shaped.

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When Alexander marched toward Persepolis in 330 BC and set the city ablaze, Persian artisans were carving the capital of a new column. Over 2,300 years later, the unfinished capital still sits on the same stone base where it was being shaped.

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Capitals of the Salle du Manege. Louvre Museum, Paris. The Manege room in the Louvre is a large space built under Napoleon III for equestrian events. After the fall of the Second Empire, the room was granted to the museum. In 1928 the Salle became the entrance to the museum...

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Capitals of the Salle du Manege. Louvre Museum, Paris. The Manege room in the Louvre is a large space built under Napoleon III for equestrian events. After the fall of the Second Empire, the room was granted to the museum. In 1928 the Salle became the entrance to the museum...

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An ancient Chinese incense burner. Stoneware, with clear glaze and modeled dragons and lotus petals. Sui to early Tang dynasty, late 6th–7th century CE. Now housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

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An ancient Chinese incense burner. Stoneware, with clear glaze and modeled dragons and lotus petals. Sui to early Tang dynasty, late 6th–7th century CE. Now housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

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