In the most important development in human history, Neolithic people took the first step toward civilization.
Neolithic
Is the plaster face on this skull modeled after a real person? Is it one of the world’s oldest portraits?
The Jericho Skull
The Nuragic civilization of the island of Sardinia presents a mystery—what were their huge stone towers?
Nuragic architecture at Su Nuraxi Barumini, Sardinia
In an ancient North African “rock city,” modern explorers wetted a wall with water—revealing this graceful image.
Running Horned Woman, Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria
Jade is a stone that is too hard to carve—to work it, artisans slowly rub away stone with grit.
Working jade
Images on rocks in the Sahara provide a glimpse into the development of humans in this now barren land.
Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Libya)
This stone marker depicts an abstracted human. How should we interpret one of the Arabia’s earliest artifacts?
Anthropomorphic stele
In the south of England, circles of huge stones rose from the plains.
Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites
This beautiful pot was created over 5,000 years ago, and its decoration echoes its shape.
Bushel with ibex motifs
Found in large numbers in burials, these Chinese carvings constitutes an enormous effort by skilled craftsman.
Jade Cong
Recognized worldwide, Stonehenge seems an impossible task: how, and why, did prehistoric people build it?
Stonehenge
The city of Çatalhöyük points to one of man's most important transformations, from nomad to settled farmer.
Çatalhöyük
Mentioned in the Bible, Jericho is one of the oldest continuously-occupied sites in the world.