Objects from the past offer us a tangible connection to history. It could be a book, a documentary, or an ancient artifact. Whether they date back eons, they can show us how people lived in a very different time and make their experiences feel more real.
Just look at these examples from this subreddit, which features relics “made or shaped by mankind throughout history.” They have 146,000 “artifact lovers” and counting, proving our inherent fascination with objects from older civilizations that carry colorful backstories.
This list features some of the community's most eye-catching posts. Many of these may make you want to dig a little deeper (pun intended), which is always fun if you consider yourself a history buff. Don’t forget to upvote your favorites!
#41 A Turquoise And Gold-Inlaid Bronze Mirror, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Warring States Period (C. 475–221 Bce), From China
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5points
#43 A Set Of Ancient Roman Surgical Instruments Discovered During Excavations In Pompeii
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#44 A Large Mosaic At The Late Antique Roman Villa Of La Olmeda, In Spain, Depicting Mythological And Hunting Scenes. 3rd-4th Century Ce
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#45 Tabarzin (Saddle Axe) Depicting Birds Of Prey Attacking Herons. Iran, 1739-1740
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#46 A Demon Flattening Someone Out And Preparing To Cut Them Into Soba Noodles. From The Hell Scroll Made By The Japanese Artist Nichōsai (1772-1801 Ce)
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4points
#47 The Pyramid Of The Sun, 230 Meters Wide. Teotihuacan, Mexico, 2nd Century Ad
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#48 A Postcard From The Turn Of The 20th Century
Cartoon Artwork Depicting A Woman Using A Parasol To Swat Away The Stork Bringing Her A New-Born Child. The Caption Reads, "And The Villain Still Pursues Her."
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#49 Reliquary In The Shape Of A Three-Legged Fish, From Germany, C.900-1350 Ce
This Reliquary Was Crafted From Rock Crystal And Silver-Gilt, And It Was Designed As A Vessel For Relics Of Mary Magdalene.
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#50 Golden Requilery Containing Anne Of Brittany's Heart From The 16th Century
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#51 E****tioner's Sword With Inscription That Reads "When I Raise This Sword, So I Wish That This Poor Sinner Will Receive Eternal Life", Germany, Late 17th Century
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#52 An Amethyst Umbrella Handle In The Shape Of A Seated Bulldog, Paris, Circa 1860
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#53 A Sasanian Blue Glass Cup With A Silver Base, Given As A Gift To The Empress Kōmyō (701-760 Ce). Now Housed At The Shoso-In Repository In Nara, Japan
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3points
#54 A Coptic Magical Text (Spell To Acquire A Beautiful Voice), 6th–7th Century Ce, From Egypt. Ink On Papyrus, Now Part Of Beinecke Rare Book And Manuscript Library At Yale University
Fuckoff555:
This papyrus records two different spells. The upper text is a spell to obtain a beautiful singing voice. The petitioner is instructed to prepare special ink so as to inscribe a chalice with powerful signs. Next, the petitioner is told to procure a divination bowl and an offering, and recite a prayer to “Harmozel, the great ruler.” The conclusion of the prayer invokes the power of the Holy Trinity: “Yea, yea, for I adjure you by the left hand of the Father, I adjure you by the head of the Son, I adjure you by the hair of the Holy Spirit.” Harmozel is depicted as a winged angel; his trumpet emits strings of Coptic letters as he blows.
This papyrus records two different spells. The upper text is a spell to obtain a beautiful singing voice. The petitioner is instructed to prepare special ink so as to inscribe a chalice with powerful signs. Next, the petitioner is told to procure a divination bowl and an offering, and recite a prayer to “Harmozel, the great ruler.” The conclusion of the prayer invokes the power of the Holy Trinity: “Yea, yea, for I adjure you by the left hand of the Father, I adjure you by the head of the Son, I adjure you by the hair of the Holy Spirit.” Harmozel is depicted as a winged angel; his trumpet emits strings of Coptic letters as he blows.
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#55 Tokugawa Ieyasu's Golden Armor, Used During The Winter Siege Of Osaka Castle In 1614-1615 Ce. Now Housed At The Kunōzan Tōshōgū Museum In Japan
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#56 Prehistoric Headdress From Britain, C.8000 Bce: This 10,000-Year-Old Headdress Was Crafted From The Skull And Antlers Of A Red Deer
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#58 An Old Picture Of The Excavation Of The Templo Mayor, The Main Temple Of The Mexica People In Their Capital City Of Tenōchtitlan, Which Is Now Mexico City
The Aztecs Began Construction Of Templo Mayor Sometime After 1325 Ce, And The Temple Was Rebuilt Six Times.
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#60 Memento Mori Carved From Ivory, Hung From A Rosary. Crafted In The 16th Century
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