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

This golden carriage, made from gilded walnut wood, is an opulent state coach commissioned in 1638 CE by Johann Eggenberg to announce the election of Emperor Ferdinand III to the Pope. The coach was used as a special showpiece to carry the gifts to the Pope through the streets of Rome

ARTIFACT

This golden carriage, made from gilded walnut wood, is an opulent state coach commissioned in 1638 CE by Johann Eggenberg to announce the election of Emperor Ferdinand III to the Pope. The coach was used as a special showpiece to carry the gifts to the Pope through the streets of Rome

ARTIFACT / Photography

The Marriage Charter of Empress Theophanu is the dower document for the Byzantine princess Theophanu. Written in gold, the document was created after her marriage to Emperor Otto II in 972 CE, which made her the empress of the Holy Roman Empire. State Archives of Wolfenbüttel

ARTIFACT

The Marriage Charter of Empress Theophanu is the dower document for the Byzantine princess Theophanu. Written in gold, the document was created after her marriage to Emperor Otto II in 972 CE, which made her the empress of the Holy Roman Empire. State Archives of Wolfenbüttel

ARTIFACT / Photography

Commissioned by Isabeau of Bavaria for her husband Charles VI, and presented to the French king as a New Year's gift on January 1, 1405 CE, the Goldenes Rössl is a masterpiece of Parisian goldsmithing. The work is made of gold, enameled gold, silver, sapphires, rubies, and pearls

ARTIFACT

Commissioned by Isabeau of Bavaria for her husband Charles VI, and presented to the French king as a New Year's gift on January 1, 1405 CE, the Goldenes Rössl is a masterpiece of Parisian goldsmithing. The work is made of gold, enameled gold, silver, sapphires, rubies, and pearls

ARTIFACT / Photography

Cordoba Mosque, Spain. The mihrab and the dome above the private praying place of the caliph, in the expansion built by Al-Hakam II in 975 AD. The golden mosaic surrounding the horseshoe arch and the dome was made by artists sent from Constantinople by emperor Nicephorus II Phocas...

ARTIFACT

Cordoba Mosque, Spain. The mihrab and the dome above the private praying place of the caliph, in the expansion built by Al-Hakam II in 975 AD. The golden mosaic surrounding the horseshoe arch and the dome was made by artists sent from Constantinople by emperor Nicephorus II Phocas...

ARTIFACT / Photography

Simple and Parade armor of Philip IV when he was about 9. Part of a matching 6 suit set commissioned by Philip II for his 3 sons when they were 9, 7, and 5 respectively: Prince Philip, the future Philip IV; Ferdinand, the future Cardinal-Infante; and Don Carlos. circa 1614

ARTIFACT

Simple and Parade armor of Philip IV when he was about 9. Part of a matching 6 suit set commissioned by Philip II for his 3 sons when they were 9, 7, and 5 respectively: Prince Philip, the future Philip IV; Ferdinand, the future Cardinal-Infante; and Don Carlos. circa 1614

ARTIFACT / Photography

A polychrome wooden statue of the Spanish Jesuit priest Francis Borgia, now housed at the Church of the Annunciation in Seville. The statue was made by Juan Martínez Montañés in 1624 CE, and polychromed by Francisco Pacheco

ARTIFACT

A polychrome wooden statue of the Spanish Jesuit priest Francis Borgia, now housed at the Church of the Annunciation in Seville. The statue was made by Juan Martínez Montañés in 1624 CE, and polychromed by Francisco Pacheco

ARTIFACT / Photography

These enamel earrings in the shape of hands hold pieces of shrapnel removed from the eye and forehead of Denmark’s King Christian IV after he was wounded in battle. He gave the earrings to his mistress. Now part of the Royal Collection at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen

ARTIFACT

These enamel earrings in the shape of hands hold pieces of shrapnel removed from the eye and forehead of Denmark’s King Christian IV after he was wounded in battle. He gave the earrings to his mistress. Now part of the Royal Collection at Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen

ARTIFACT / Photography

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

ARTIFACT

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

ARTIFACT / Photography

A single emerald sculpted around a gold sleeve to be used as a ring. According to the Al Thani Collection, it was most probably used by one of the 16th century Mughal Emperors . India, 16th century

ARTIFACT

A single emerald sculpted around a gold sleeve to be used as a ring. According to the Al Thani Collection, it was most probably used by one of the 16th century Mughal Emperors . India, 16th century

ARTIFACT / Photography

The Côte de Bretagne is a 107-carat red spinel, cut in 1749 CE in the shape of a dragon to be mounted on the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece commissioned by Louis XV. The spinel was stolen during the 1792 French Crown Jewels theft, but was recovered by Louis XVIII in 1796

ARTIFACT

The Côte de Bretagne is a 107-carat red spinel, cut in 1749 CE in the shape of a dragon to be mounted on the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece commissioned by Louis XV. The spinel was stolen during the 1792 French Crown Jewels theft, but was recovered by Louis XVIII in 1796

ARTIFACT / Photography

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.

ARTIFACT

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.

ARTIFACT / Photography

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.

ARTIFACT

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.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Nabatean-Roman Theater, 1st Century AD. Petra, Jordan. Dug out from the sandstone mountainside next to the main street of Petra, the cavea could seat up around 8,000 spectators after the Romans enlarged it slicing through some of the existing tombs. The stage wall was also Roman...

ARTIFACT

Nabatean-Roman Theater, 1st Century AD. Petra, Jordan. Dug out from the sandstone mountainside next to the main street of Petra, the cavea could seat up around 8,000 spectators after the Romans enlarged it slicing through some of the existing tombs. The stage wall was also Roman...

ARTIFACT / Photography

The main altarpiece of the Miraflores Charterhouse in Burgos, Spain, made between 1496 and 1499 CE. It was carved in wood by the artist Gil de Siloé and polychrome and gilded by Diego de la Cruz

ARTIFACT

The main altarpiece of the Miraflores Charterhouse in Burgos, Spain, made between 1496 and 1499 CE. It was carved in wood by the artist Gil de Siloé and polychrome and gilded by Diego de la Cruz

ARTIFACT / Photography

Fayum portrait of a man in a blue cloak. The painting was made with the encaustic method on a wooden panel. The object comes from the 1st-2nd century CE and is located as an exhibit at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow .

ARTIFACT

Fayum portrait of a man in a blue cloak. The painting was made with the encaustic method on a wooden panel. The object comes from the 1st-2nd century CE and is located as an exhibit at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow .

ARTIFACT / Photography

Fayum portrait of a man in a blue cloak. The painting was made with the encaustic method on a wooden panel. The object comes from the 1st-2nd century CE and is located as an exhibit at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow .

ARTIFACT

Fayum portrait of a man in a blue cloak. The painting was made with the encaustic method on a wooden panel. The object comes from the 1st-2nd century CE and is located as an exhibit at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow .

ARTIFACT / Photography

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is a sculptural altarpiece in the Cornaro Chapel of the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. It was designed and carved by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the leading sculptor of his day. The commission was completed in 1652.

ARTIFACT

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is a sculptural altarpiece in the Cornaro Chapel of the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. It was designed and carved by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the leading sculptor of his day. The commission was completed in 1652.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A writing desk made by Abraham Roentgen, c. 1758-1760 CE. This desk has numerous hidden compartments and drawers and even includes a folding kneeling bench. It was made for Johann Philipp von Walderdorff, Archbishop and Elector of Trier. Now housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

ARTIFACT

A writing desk made by Abraham Roentgen, c. 1758-1760 CE. This desk has numerous hidden compartments and drawers and even includes a folding kneeling bench. It was made for Johann Philipp von Walderdorff, Archbishop and Elector of Trier. Now housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

ARTIFACT / Photography

Samples of some of the marbles used in the Roman Empire. For centuries, all sorts of different marbles were methodically sought and brought from all the reaches of the empire. Myriad marbles covered the walls and floors of the Imperial buildings. Rome was a richly colorful place...

ARTIFACT

Samples of some of the marbles used in the Roman Empire. For centuries, all sorts of different marbles were methodically sought and brought from all the reaches of the empire. Myriad marbles covered the walls and floors of the Imperial buildings. Rome was a richly colorful place...

ARTIFACT / Photography