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In the late 1800s, explorers photographing the jungles of Guatemala captured this image of Stela K at Quiriguá, an ancient Maya city near the Motagua River. By that time, the monument had already been standing for more than 1,200 years.

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In the late 1800s, explorers photographing the jungles of Guatemala captured this image of Stela K at Quiriguá, an ancient Maya city near the Motagua River. By that time, the monument had already been standing for more than 1,200 years.

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Man standing next to Stela D, photographed by Alfred Maudslay in 1890. Quiriguá, Guatemala, Maya civilization, 766 AD

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Man standing next to Stela D, photographed by Alfred Maudslay in 1890. Quiriguá, Guatemala, Maya civilization, 766 AD

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Old photographs of the Zoomorph B which was dedicated in 780 CE by K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat, and of the Zoomorph P which was dedicated in 795 CE by "Sky Xul". The zoomorphs are located in Quiriguá, an ancient Maya archaeological site in Guatemala

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Old photographs of the Zoomorph B which was dedicated in 780 CE by K'ak' Tiliw Chan Yopaat, and of the Zoomorph P which was dedicated in 795 CE by "Sky Xul". The zoomorphs are located in Quiriguá, an ancient Maya archaeological site in Guatemala

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An old photo from 1935 showing a large stucco mask from the pyramid structure K-5 at the ancient Maya city of Piedras Negras in Guatemala. 600-850 CE

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An old photo from 1935 showing a large stucco mask from the pyramid structure K-5 at the ancient Maya city of Piedras Negras in Guatemala. 600-850 CE

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Photographs taken in 1868 of Phineas Gage’s skull and the tamping rod that was blasted through his head, twelve years before his death .

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Photographs taken in 1868 of Phineas Gage’s skull and the tamping rod that was blasted through his head, twelve years before his death .

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Fresco of a Winged Genius carrying a tray and Holding a Handle. From Boscoreale, near Mount Vesuvius, Italy . ca. 50/40 BC. Plaster and pigments. By the time of the eruption in 79, this work was already over 100 years old, likely appreciated for its age.

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Fresco of a Winged Genius carrying a tray and Holding a Handle. From Boscoreale, near Mount Vesuvius, Italy . ca. 50/40 BC. Plaster and pigments. By the time of the eruption in 79, this work was already over 100 years old, likely appreciated for its age.

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2000-year-old graves of nearly 600 cats and dogs at the Roman port of Berenice in Egypt may be world's oldest pet cemetery. Many wore collars or other adornments, and they had been cared for through injury and old age, like today's pets

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2000-year-old graves of nearly 600 cats and dogs at the Roman port of Berenice in Egypt may be world's oldest pet cemetery. Many wore collars or other adornments, and they had been cared for through injury and old age, like today's pets

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The Dilmun Burial Mounds in Bahrain, dating back to the Dilmun and the Umm al-Nar culture . Recent studies have shown that an estimated 350,000 ancient grave mounds could have been solely produced by the local population over a number of thousands of years

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The Dilmun Burial Mounds in Bahrain, dating back to the Dilmun and the Umm al-Nar culture . Recent studies have shown that an estimated 350,000 ancient grave mounds could have been solely produced by the local population over a number of thousands of years

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1,700-year-old Maya jade mosaic mask discovered in a royal tomb at the ancient site of Chochkitam in Petén, Guatemala. approximately 350 C.E.

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1,700-year-old Maya jade mosaic mask discovered in a royal tomb at the ancient site of Chochkitam in Petén, Guatemala. approximately 350 C.E.

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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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A Tuareg crouches by shoulder of large engraved giraffe in Oued Djerat, Algeria. According to the French explorer and ethnographer Henri Lhote, the rock engravings of Oued Djerat date back more than 7000 years. He estimated that they comprise more than 4,000 drawings

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A Tuareg crouches by shoulder of large engraved giraffe in Oued Djerat, Algeria. According to the French explorer and ethnographer Henri Lhote, the rock engravings of Oued Djerat date back more than 7000 years. He estimated that they comprise more than 4,000 drawings

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The granite Stela 11 from Kaminaljuyu, in Guatemala, portrays one of the earliest Maya rulers dressed as a divine being. The king's branching headdress expresses his personification as the world tree that unites the layers of the heavens, earth and underworld. 200-50 BCE

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The granite Stela 11 from Kaminaljuyu, in Guatemala, portrays one of the earliest Maya rulers dressed as a divine being. The king's branching headdress expresses his personification as the world tree that unites the layers of the heavens, earth and underworld. 200-50 BCE

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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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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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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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This photo of Kim Kardashian at the 2018 Met Gala helped Egypt locate the sarcophagus of Nedjemankh, which is over 2,100 years old. The sarcophagus was stolen during the Arab Spring and sold with forged papers, before being purchased by the Met Museum and displayed right next to Kim.

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This photo of Kim Kardashian at the 2018 Met Gala helped Egypt locate the sarcophagus of Nedjemankh, which is over 2,100 years old. The sarcophagus was stolen during the Arab Spring and sold with forged papers, before being purchased by the Met Museum and displayed right next to Kim.

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Apollo of Gaza, in 2012 a Palestinian fisherman from Gaza recovered the Ancient Greek bronze statue of Apollo and put it up for sale for $500k on EBay. The statue, more than 2000 years old, was seized by police and never seen again.

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Apollo of Gaza, in 2012 a Palestinian fisherman from Gaza recovered the Ancient Greek bronze statue of Apollo and put it up for sale for $500k on EBay. The statue, more than 2000 years old, was seized by police and never seen again.

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The 4000-year-old Harput relief, now housed at the Elazig City Museum in Turkey, was discovered by chance in 2016. This 4-ton limestone relief depicts the conquest of a fortress and the arrival of prisoners before the king

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The 4000-year-old Harput relief, now housed at the Elazig City Museum in Turkey, was discovered by chance in 2016. This 4-ton limestone relief depicts the conquest of a fortress and the arrival of prisoners before the king

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The Great Chaitya in the Karla Caves, India, is exceptional for preserving its original wooden ribs. Built in 50-70 CE, these roof timbers have survived 2000 years of Indian monsoons

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The Great Chaitya in the Karla Caves, India, is exceptional for preserving its original wooden ribs. Built in 50-70 CE, these roof timbers have survived 2000 years of Indian monsoons

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