The Greatest Treasures Humankind Has Ever Discovered From Ancient Civilizations
Throughout history, archaeologists and explorers have made incredible discoveries of ancient artifacts and ruins from past civilizations. These finds have given us invaluable insights into how ancient peoples lived, what they valued, and the heights of creativity, skill and technology they achieved. Some of the most astounding treasures uncovered include:
The Mask of Tutankhamun – This golden death mask was found on the mummified remains of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun when his tomb was discovered in 1922. Intricately decorated with precious stones and gold, it remains one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt.
The Terracotta Army – An army of around 8,000 life-sized terracotta soldier statues was found buried near the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Each statue was uniquely crafted, showing the artistic skill and military might of the Qin dynasty.
Machu Picchu – Built around 1450 CE high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, this magnificent Inca citadel was unknown to the outside world until it was rediscovered in 1911. Its sophisticated dry-stone walls, fountains and temples offer insight into Inca architecture, engineering and culture.
The Rosetta Stone – This granodiorite stele from Ancient Egypt dating to 196 BCE was key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics. Its inscription of a decree in hieroglyphic, demotic and Greek scripts enabled linguists to decode the Egyptian language for the first time.
The Dead Sea Scrolls – These ancient Jewish religious texts were found in the Qumran Caves near the Dead Sea starting in 1946. Dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, the scrolls are the oldest known surviving copies of Biblical texts and provide insight into their early history.
From golden death masks to terra cotta armies, ancient citadels to sacred texts, these artifacts provide a tantalizing glimpse into human history and just a fraction of the wonders still waiting to be discovered. The treasures of the past continue to intrigue and inspire us today.
