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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.

ARTIFACT / Photography

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.

ARTIFACT / Photography

In 2017, archaeologists discovered a 2300-year-old sword in a tomb among the ruins of Chengyang City in central China. When they unsheathed the blade from its muddied cover, they found it had not oxidised but was still sharp, shiny and in near-perfect condition

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In 2017, archaeologists discovered a 2300-year-old sword in a tomb among the ruins of Chengyang City in central China. When they unsheathed the blade from its muddied cover, they found it had not oxidised but was still sharp, shiny and in near-perfect condition

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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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In 1949, artists from Iran and Italy gathered to create the history's first statue of a Persian king made in the West: Nader Shah, known in Europe as the "Napoleon of the East." Six years later, a 14-ton statue arrived from Rome at his tomb in Mashhad, where it greets visitors today.

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In 1949, artists from Iran and Italy gathered to create the history's first statue of a Persian king made in the West: Nader Shah, known in Europe as the "Napoleon of the East." Six years later, a 14-ton statue arrived from Rome at his tomb in Mashhad, where it greets visitors today.

ARTIFACT / Photography

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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Archaeologists have unearthed, in 2015, the oldest case of decapitation ever found in the New World. The skull belonged to a young man and was buried in Brazil about 9,000 years old, with severed hands covering its face in a mysterious pose

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Archaeologists have unearthed, in 2015, the oldest case of decapitation ever found in the New World. The skull belonged to a young man and was buried in Brazil about 9,000 years old, with severed hands covering its face in a mysterious pose

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Closer look of one of the chamber portals behind the columns with Corinthian capitals of the Treasury in Petra, Nabatean Kingdom, 1st c. AD. Jordan. 2,000 years after it was shaped, much of the exquisite detail of the carvings that adorn both the capitals and the portal survives.

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Closer look of one of the chamber portals behind the columns with Corinthian capitals of the Treasury in Petra, Nabatean Kingdom, 1st c. AD. Jordan. 2,000 years after it was shaped, much of the exquisite detail of the carvings that adorn both the capitals and the portal survives.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Tazza Farnese, a cameo bowl made of four-layered sardonyx agate. The origin of the piece is unknown. However, the consensus among scholars, based on the blending of Egyptian and Greek or Roman iconography in its carvings, is that it was created in Alexandria between 300 and 20 BC...

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Tazza Farnese, a cameo bowl made of four-layered sardonyx agate. The origin of the piece is unknown. However, the consensus among scholars, based on the blending of Egyptian and Greek or Roman iconography in its carvings, is that it was created in Alexandria between 300 and 20 BC...

ARTIFACT / Photography

A 2,000-year-old Roman tombstone has been found in a New Orleans backyard, left there by the granddaughter of a U.S. soldier who brought it from Italy during World War II. The tombstone belonged to a Roman soldier and sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus.

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A 2,000-year-old Roman tombstone has been found in a New Orleans backyard, left there by the granddaughter of a U.S. soldier who brought it from Italy during World War II. The tombstone belonged to a Roman soldier and sailor named Sextus Congenius Verus.

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Chapel of San Baudelio de Berlanga, 11th century, Soria, Spain. It was built in the middle of nowhere, in lands that were frontier between Christianity and Islam. A plain stone square from outside, its palm tree shaped central column and frescoes make this church next to unique...

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Chapel of San Baudelio de Berlanga, 11th century, Soria, Spain. It was built in the middle of nowhere, in lands that were frontier between Christianity and Islam. A plain stone square from outside, its palm tree shaped central column and frescoes make this church next to unique...

ARTIFACT / Photography

Chapel of San Baudelio de Berlanga, 11th century, Soria, Spain. It was built in the middle of nowhere, in lands that were frontier between Christianity and Islam. A plain stone square from outside, its palm tree shaped central column and frescoes make this church next to unique...

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Chapel of San Baudelio de Berlanga, 11th century, Soria, Spain. It was built in the middle of nowhere, in lands that were frontier between Christianity and Islam. A plain stone square from outside, its palm tree shaped central column and frescoes make this church next to unique...

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One of a pair of goats, dubbed “Ram in a Thicket”from the Royal Tombs of Ur, Sumer. gold leaf, copper, lapis lazuli, white shell, red limestone base. circa 2500 BC. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The other is in the British Museum

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One of a pair of goats, dubbed “Ram in a Thicket”from the Royal Tombs of Ur, Sumer. gold leaf, copper, lapis lazuli, white shell, red limestone base. circa 2500 BC. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The other is in the British Museum

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Near Rome, at the ancient city of Gabii, archaeologists have uncovered a massive stone basin. It dates to around 250 BCE. In ancient times, Gabia was a significant city-state and one of the rivals to Rome’s growing power.

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Near Rome, at the ancient city of Gabii, archaeologists have uncovered a massive stone basin. It dates to around 250 BCE. In ancient times, Gabia was a significant city-state and one of the rivals to Rome’s growing power.

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Gallagh Man was discovered in a bog in County Galway, Ireland, in 1821. The remnants of the rope used to strangle him over 2000 years ago were still around his neck.

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Gallagh Man was discovered in a bog in County Galway, Ireland, in 1821. The remnants of the rope used to strangle him over 2000 years ago were still around his neck.

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An Achaemenid plaque, the only surviving artifact bearing the emblem of the Empire’s flag. Dating to 550–330 BC, it was discovered in Persepolis and is housed at the National Museum of Iran.

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An Achaemenid plaque, the only surviving artifact bearing the emblem of the Empire’s flag. Dating to 550–330 BC, it was discovered in Persepolis and is housed at the 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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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 Staircase in Persepolis, Ceremonial Capital of the Persian Empire, Iran, 500 BC

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A Staircase in Persepolis, Ceremonial Capital of the Persian Empire, Iran, 500 BC

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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 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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