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Bored Panda

Entertainment

Jonas Žvilius

“Ancient Macedonian Gold”: 71 Authentic Historical Finds That Might Feel Like Time Travel

Bored Panda Gold Japan Italy Giza Ravenna silver

When you want to see a piece of history, you go to a museum. But what if there are no museums nearby or a ticket is just too expensive for you right now? You might get your fix of history and art online, then, with a little help from pages dedicated to historical photography, artifacts, and other authentic memorabilia.

The X page “Art Encyclopedia” is all about that — “art inspired videos and photos from all around the world,” according to their bio. So, Bored Panda has prepared a selection of the most fascinating finds the page has in its archives to satisfy your inner history enthusiast. Scroll down and see iconic buildings from unusual angles, unique artifacts, and rare historical photographs you won’t see in any textbook!

More info: X

#1 Owl Stirrup Spout Bottle. Date: A.d. 2nd–3rd Century. Place Of Origin: Perú. Culture: Moche. Medium: Ceramic

#2 Limestone Hedgehog On Its Own Wheeled Vehicle. Found Near The Temple Of Inshushinak Cache In Susa, Iran, It Dates To The Middle Elamite Period, Circa 1500-1200 Bc

#3 Basilica Di San Vitale Late Antique Church In Ravenna, Italy. The 6th Century Church Is An Important Surviving Example Of Early Christian Byzantine Art And Architecture

You can still see the stunning art in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. The church was built during Justinian's rule around 525-526 AD, and took about 20 years to finish. The spot where the church was built is special: according to legend, a sacellum containing the remains of Saint Vitale dates back to the fifth century.

Nevertheless, the church's architecture is quite unusual. Upon first glance, you'd notice it's not in the traditional church shape. But the most beautiful thing about them is the mosaic decorations. In the presbytery, just beside the altar, there is also a circular marble labyrinth — getting out of it reportedly symbolizes rebirth.

#4 “Votes For Women” Suffragist Stockings, 1910

#5 Cat With A Kitten Statue On The Roof Of The Castle Of Château De Pierrefonds, France. It Was Built Between 1393-1407

#6 Ancient Greek Coins With Octopuses 🐙

Nowadays, when people go to protests, they show up with signs, flags, and other accessories that express their frustrations. Back in the late 19th century, people also had that kind of "merch" for the causes they believed in. The Suffragette socks you see in this list are just one item among many that were worn by the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).

Members of the union would wear the socks, silk motor scarves, protest sashes, enamel badges, rosettes, beaded necklaces, and many other attributes. If you look closely, you'll notice that the socks were decorated in three colors: those were the official colors of the union. Purple symbolized dignity, white symbolized purity, and green symbolized hope.

#7 Miyata Nobukiyo: Dragon Teapot, C.1876, Japan Walters Art Museum

#8 An Art Nouveau Silver & Plated Fairy Lamp, Moritz Hacker, Circa 1905

#9 Antique French Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Convertible Snake Bracelet Necklace 1860

Why did Ancient Greek coins have octopuses on them? Most likely because seas and rivers were vital to the Greeks for food, trade, and travel. Many of these and similar coins featuring maritime creatures were coined in Syracuse, one of the greatest maritime cities in Ancient Greece. Other sea creatures also feature on Greek coins: turtles, crabs, clam shells, fish, dolphins, and even men riding said dolphins or an eagle snatching the poor dolphin up.

#10 Yamada Hōgyoku: Bat And Moon, Woodblock Print C. 1830

#11 The Golden Diadem Of The Scythian Princess Meda, Found In The Tomb Of Philip II Of Macedon. Aigai, Macedonia, Greece

#12 Petroglyphs In Kyrgyzstan, Estimated To Be 3000 Years Old

The story behind the cats on the Château De Pierrefonds may be simpler than you'd think. The castle was commissionedby King Charles VI's brother, Louis of Orléans, and completed in 1407,, but was destroyed 200 years later at the behest of Cardinal Richelieu.

Then, at the orders of Napoleon III, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc restored the castle in 1857. Viollet-le-Duc was a big cat fan and included cat statues in several places. The most accessible one is in the courtyard, while the others are on the roofs. The architect had a soft spot for all nocturnal animals, and often included an eagle owl in his other works.

#13 Loïs Mailou Jones Painting In Her Paris Studio In 1937 Or 1938, With Kitten Supervising From Her Shoulder

#14 A Policeman Stops Traffic To Let A Mother Cat Carry Her Kitten Across The Road. Circa 1925

#15 Detail Of Ashayet’s Limestone Sarcophagus

The petroglyphs in Kyrgyzstan are certainly something to behold. In Northern Kyrgyzstan, near Issyk Kul Lake, there are100 acres of stones and boulders with carvings that give us a glimpse of our world 3,500 years ago. But there are newer carvings as well, most likely by the Saka-Usun who roamed these parts roughly between the ninth century B.C. and the first century A.D.

The carvings include images of Argali sheep, horses, camels, wolves, wild boars, birds, and also humans with bows and arrows. The Greeks called the Saka-Sun Scythians, cattle herders and nomads who were battling Alexander, lived in tents, and traveled with carts. But the petroglyphs are like photographs of their daily lives, surviving way longer than our digital footprints may hold.

#16 Pearl Inlaid Mulberry Wood Biwa Lute, China Or Japan, 8th Century Ad, From The Shoshin Repository

#17 The 500 Year Old Armor Of Emperor Charles V

#18 Music Box, Clock And Snuff Box, 1820. China. Sotheby's

Which artifact did you find the most fascinating, Pandas? Let us know your favorites in the comments! If you liked this list and are craving more fascinating finds from the past, check out our previous publications about unique historical treasures and these incredible discoveries!