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

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens and inkwell. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on this portable desk. It features a hinged writing board and a locking drawer for papers, pens and inkwell. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

This argillite Haida panel pipe may depict a real incident—an unfortunate sailor caught in the ship’s rigging and dragged to his death. C. 1830 CE, from British Columbia in Canada, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT

This argillite Haida panel pipe may depict a real incident—an unfortunate sailor caught in the ship’s rigging and dragged to his death. C. 1830 CE, from British Columbia in Canada, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A cache of 11 duck decoys found in 1924 at Lovelock Cave in Nevada. These remarkable hunting tools were made from bundled tule, a long grass-like herb, covered in feathers and painted. Now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT

A cache of 11 duck decoys found in 1924 at Lovelock Cave in Nevada. These remarkable hunting tools were made from bundled tule, a long grass-like herb, covered in feathers and painted. Now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

The chairs and oval table used by the generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee during the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to the United States Army at Appomattox, on April 9, 1865. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

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The chairs and oval table used by the generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee during the surrender of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to the United States Army at Appomattox, on April 9, 1865. Now housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

This Olmec jadeite pendant, from Mexico, is a miniature mask of the fat god, a poorly understood being found among the Maya and other early cultures of Mesoamerica. Middle Formative Period , now housed at the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT

This Olmec jadeite pendant, from Mexico, is a miniature mask of the fat god, a poorly understood being found among the Maya and other early cultures of Mesoamerica. Middle Formative Period , now housed at the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A mute testimony to the horrors of war, this shattered, bullet-riddled stump is all that remains of a large oak tree caught in the crossfire during one of the most ferocious battles of the American Civil War in 1864. Now housed at the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT

A mute testimony to the horrors of war, this shattered, bullet-riddled stump is all that remains of a large oak tree caught in the crossfire during one of the most ferocious battles of the American Civil War in 1864. Now housed at the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A large 10th century CE ceramic plate decorated with two concentric rings of Arabic script. Samanid period, from Iran or Afghanistan, 46.8 cm diameter, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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A large 10th century CE ceramic plate decorated with two concentric rings of Arabic script. Samanid period, from Iran or Afghanistan, 46.8 cm diameter, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

This exceptional Native American ensemble belonged to the Oglala chief Spotted Weasel. It was offered in 1904 as a token of friendship to the Frenchman Joe Hamman. Late 19th century CE, now housed at the Franco-American Museum in the Blérancourt Castle in France

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This exceptional Native American ensemble belonged to the Oglala chief Spotted Weasel. It was offered in 1904 as a token of friendship to the Frenchman Joe Hamman. Late 19th century CE, now housed at the Franco-American Museum in the Blérancourt Castle in France

ARTIFACT / Photography

The Lute and White Snake of Benten ; painted by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1847 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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The Lute and White Snake of Benten ; painted by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1847 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Moccasins made of deer hide, glass beads and cotton thread, associated with Peo Peo T´olikt, grandson of Ni Mii Puu leader Xa xac ilpilp . Ca. 1880 CE, from Idaho, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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Moccasins made of deer hide, glass beads and cotton thread, associated with Peo Peo T´olikt, grandson of Ni Mii Puu leader Xa xac ilpilp . Ca. 1880 CE, from Idaho, now housed at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.

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

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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

A limestone sculpture of the Cosmic Buddha Vairochana draped in robes portraying the Realms of Existence. Northern Qi dynasty, 550–577 CE, from China, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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A limestone sculpture of the Cosmic Buddha Vairochana draped in robes portraying the Realms of Existence. Northern Qi dynasty, 550–577 CE, from China, now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography

A mantle with bird motifs, made of wool and cotton, found at Wari Kayán necropolis in Peru. 200 BCE-50 CE, Paracas culture, now housed at the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru

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A mantle with bird motifs, made of wool and cotton, found at Wari Kayán necropolis in Peru. 200 BCE-50 CE, Paracas culture, now housed at the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru

ARTIFACT / Photography

Agee arrow points made from novaculite, and found in Arkansas. 700-1000 CE, now housed at the Museum of Native American History in Arkansas

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Agee arrow points made from novaculite, and found in Arkansas. 700-1000 CE, now housed at the Museum of Native American History in Arkansas

ARTIFACT / Photography

A 3,5 cm soapstone statue of 2 wrestlers, from Gonur Depe in Turkmenistan, depicting one of them performing an armlock on the other. 2500-1500 BCE, now housed at the State Museum of Turkmenistan

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A 3,5 cm soapstone statue of 2 wrestlers, from Gonur Depe in Turkmenistan, depicting one of them performing an armlock on the other. 2500-1500 BCE, now housed at the State Museum of Turkmenistan

ARTIFACT / Photography

An Inuit wooden figurine from Baffin Island, in modern-day Canada, portraying a person in European dress; lightly incised lines indicate the folds of a long robe and an apparent cross on the chest. Ca. 1350 CE, now housed at the Canadian Museum of History

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An Inuit wooden figurine from Baffin Island, in modern-day Canada, portraying a person in European dress; lightly incised lines indicate the folds of a long robe and an apparent cross on the chest. Ca. 1350 CE, now housed at the Canadian Museum of History

ARTIFACT / Photography

A pedestal-shaped pottery vessel, found at Tall-e Jari in Iran, depicting dancing men. 5000-4000 BCE, now housed at the National Museum of Iran

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A pedestal-shaped pottery vessel, found at Tall-e Jari in Iran, depicting dancing men. 5000-4000 BCE, now housed at the National Museum of Iran

ARTIFACT / Photography

Humor Gospel Illumination depicting St Stephen the Great of Moldova . Illuminated in 1473 by monks from Putna Monastery in a mix of Byzantine and Gothic features, now housed at the Suceava History Museum in Romania.

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Humor Gospel Illumination depicting St Stephen the Great of Moldova . Illuminated in 1473 by monks from Putna Monastery in a mix of Byzantine and Gothic features, now housed at the Suceava History Museum in Romania.

ARTIFACT / Photography

Humor Gospel Illumination depicting St Stephen the Great of Moldova . Illuminated in 1473 by monks from Putna Monastery in a mix of Byzantine and Gothic features, now housed at the Suceava History Museum in RO.

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Humor Gospel Illumination depicting St Stephen the Great of Moldova . Illuminated in 1473 by monks from Putna Monastery in a mix of Byzantine and Gothic features, now housed at the Suceava History Museum in RO.

ARTIFACT / Photography

“Headdress” said to have belonged to Crazy Horse , a Lakota war leader who helped lead the combined Native forces that defeated the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn. National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

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“Headdress” said to have belonged to Crazy Horse , a Lakota war leader who helped lead the combined Native forces that defeated the 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer at the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn. National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.

ARTIFACT / Photography