This extraordinary carving is one of the largest relief sculptures in the world. Scholars still debate its meaning. The Great Relief at Mamallapuram by Edward Fosmire
Made for a sultan, this unusual automaton emblematizes the fierce hostility between British and Indian rulers. A-Level: Tipu’s Tiger by Dr. Jocelyn Anderson
Under Akbar the Great, the Mughal style of painting blended Indian, Persian, and Western artistic traditions. Illustration from the Akbarnama by Katrina Klaasmeyer
Snakes shedding their skin was a powerful metaphor for the Aztecs and is reflected in their pantheon of gods. Double-headed serpent by The British Museum
In this hunting scene from the Persian Book of Kings, the ruler Bahram lives up to his nickname “Gur,” or swift. Bahram Gur Fights the Karg (Horned Wolf) by Jayne Yantz
Lavishly decorated with expensive materials for the chief’s exclusive use, this isn’t your average wine bottle. Ceremonial Palm Wine Vessel (Cameroon Grasslands peoples) by Dr. Christa Clarke
While its itsy bitsy American counterpart climbed up the waterspout, the spider shown here brought wisdom to Ghana. Linguist Staff (Okyeamepoma) (Asante peoples) by Dr. Christa Clarke
Symbols for the Fon kings, which were determined in a divination ceremony, supported and enhanced his authority. Buffalo (Bocio) (Fon peoples) by Dr. Christa Clarke
Multiple points of view are combined in the decoration of this vessel, tip it and see! Feline-Head Bottle by Dr. Sarahh Scher and Dr. Steven Zucker
Intended to intimidate, this headdress was used by a member of the powerful Kumo society of blacksmiths. Kòmò Helmet Mask (Kòmòkunw) (Bamana peoples) by Dr. Christa Clarke
These headdresses celebrate the divine Ci Wara, half man and half antelope, who introduced humans to agriculture. Male and Female Antelope Headdresses (Ci wara) ... by Dr. Christa Clarke
These images reveal how the Sahara changed from rich grassland to inhospitable desert over thousands of years. Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus by UNESCO
Egyptian archaeological finds tend to be remnants of the rich—little remains from the rest of society. A bottle and a toy: Objects from ... by The British Museum
Scenes show Nebamun’s family at work and play, giving vibrant insight into the lives of ancient Egyptian elites. Paintings from the Tomb-chapel of Nebamun by The British Museum
Animal sacrifice played an important role in ancient Roman religion, but what was involved in the preparation? Preparations for a Sacrifice by Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker
Tuffery’s iconic “tinned bull” addresses contemporary concerns about ecological health and food sovereignty Michel Tuffery, Pisupo Lua Afe (Corned Beef ... by Dr. Billie Lythberg
Hidden under volcanic ash for millennia, the beautiful frescoes in the houses of Akrotiri were recently unearthed. Akrotiri, Thera by Steven Zucker and Beth Harris
This ancient pot depicts not one, but two myths: Perseus slaying Medusa and Odysseus blinding the cyclops. Eleusis Amphora by Steven Zucker and Beth Harris
Though some debated that this was made by humans, scholars are now confident some of its markings were hand-carved. Camelid sacrum in the shape of a ... by Dr. Beth Harris
Only three inches high, Tiffany captures an ephemeral moment in nature with the most sumptuous materials. Louis Comfort Tiffany, Hair Ornament by The Metropolitan Museum of Art