Samothracian Marble Gable (c.150-125 BCE)
This marble gable figure once formed part of the sculptural decoration of the Hieron in the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace.
Architectural
Artifacts from architectural history, showcasing the evolution of design, engineering, and cultural expression across civilizations.
Inscribed Colonette (2nd–3rd century BCE)
Carved in marble and still preserving its inscription in full, this small inscribed colonette records a personal act of thanks in the Roman city of Tomis. The text tells us that a man from Sidon, dedicated the object to the Syrian Goddess.
Bedouins at the Tomb of Lazarus (1890s CE)
This image depicts a group of Bedouins—men, women, and children in traditional attire—gathered outside the entrance to what is believed to be the tomb of Lazarus, the biblical figure famously resurrected by Jesus.
Bedouins Rest Near the Pyramids of Giza (1890s CE)
The image invites the viewer to reflect on contrasts: movement and permanence of the Bedouins, desert survival and ancient stone marvels and everyday life unfolding beside timeless monuments at Giza.
Acrobats Balance on Top of the Empire State Building (1934 CE)
The photo depicts three acrobats, known as the Three Jacksons, performing a precarious balancing act on the narrow ledge of the Empire State Building's 86th-floor observation deck, 1,050 feet (320 meters) above the streets of Manhattan.
The First Photograph of Machu Picchu (1911 CE)
The photo transports viewers to a remote precipice high above the Urubamba River, sparking curiosity about the sophisticated civilization that once thrived there and the explorer who unveiled Machu Picchu to the modern world.
Lunch Atop A Skyscraper (1932 CE)
Taken during the height of the Great Depression, this daring scene, set 850 feet (259 meters) above ground, showcases not only the remarkable engineering feats of the era but also the fearless spirit of the workers involved in building skyscrapers.
Monster Caryatid (Late 500s CE)
This intriguing monster, originating from the late 500s CE during the Northern Qi dynasty, served as a supportive element in Buddhist cave temples, blending grotesque ferocity with protective symbolism to ward off evil spirits.
Male Atlantean Figure (300s CE)
Known as a Male Atlantean Figure, it likely formed part of an architectural or decorative program within a Buddhist monastic complex.
Female Sphinx (Early 1st century CE)
This female sphinx, an architectural fragment from the Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan, serves as a window into a lost world of hybrid creatures and divine protectors.
Etruscan Antefix (500s-400s BCE)
Molded c. late 500s–early 400s BCE, this Etruscan terracotta caps a roof tile with a maiden’s face.