Subject
Ancient Site & Artifacts
The remains of the 1903 Swedish Antarctic Expedition hut led by Otto Nordenskjold, Paulet Island, Antarctica, Polar Regions
Christ from a former crucifix from 1200 from the church of Ufsir in the National Museum, Reykjavík, Iceland
Drinking Horn - Brynjólfur Jónsson of Skarð, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
Traditional Icelandic House from the 1800s, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
Historic Sailing vessel, National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
Ruins of stone farm structures in Fossardalur Valley (Valley of Watefalls), near Djupivogur, Iceland
Remains of one of Roman soldiers' encampments used to blockade Masada Citadel (1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Ruins of storage facilities of Masada Citadel(1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Ruins near Herod the Great's Northern Palace within Masada Citadel (1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Ruins of barracks/storage facilities within Masada Citadel (1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Ruins of Masada Fortress (1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Ruins of Masada Fortress (1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Remains of 400 foot high earthen ramp built by Romans to move siege towers up to breach Masada Citadel's walls (1st century BC to 73), Judean Desert, Israel
Ruins of Pottery Storeroom, near where Dead Sea Scrolls were found in caves, Judean Desert, Israel
Mosaic floor at Caesarea Maritima, a seaport on the Mediterranean constructed by Herod the Great in 22 BC, Israel
First and second aqueducts built by Herod to bring fresh water to Caesarea Maritima from 10 miles away, Israel
Ruins at Caesara Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Remains of hippodrome/circus at Caesarea Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Ruins of Roman government offices at Caesarea Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Ruins of government offices (and Roman latrine) at Caesarea Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Ruins at Caesarea Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Remains of Roman mosaic floor iat Caesarea Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Remains of Herod's freshwater aqueducts at Caesarea Maritima (built by King Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC), Israel
Interior The Chapel of the Milk Grotto, Bethlehem, West Bank
Interior of The Chapel of the Milk Grotto, Bethlehem, West Bank
Interior of The Chapel of the Milk Grotto, Bethlehem, West Bank
The Kfar Bar'am ("White") Synagogue built in the 4th Century on top of an even earlier synagogue, northern shore of Sea of Galilee
Capitol of column with carving of menorah, at site of Kfar Bar'am ("White") Synagogue, Northern Shore, Sea of Galilee
Capitol of column with carving of Jewish star, at site of Kfar Bar'am ("White") Synagogue, Northern Shore, Sea of Galilee
20th Century Franciscan Church of St Peter, incorporating part of 4th century church, commemorating site where it is believed Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes to feed the masses, shore of the Sea of Galilee
Scale model of Old City of Jerusalem at end of Second Temple period, Israel Museum, Jerusaelm, Israel
Human shaped coffins fro Egypt, 13th Century BC, Israel Museum, Jeruslem
Bronze Statue of Emperior Hadrian, circa 2nd century, Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Roman theater, with capacity for 6,000 spectators, circa 2nd century , opposite the Roman Citadel in Amman, Jordan
Fingers of former statue (40 feet tall) of Hercules are in front of columns remaining from 2nd century Roman temple, within Amman Citadel, Jordan
Rare two-headed, large scale, human bust, circa 6500 BC, made of lime plaster and bitumen, found near Amman and displayed in Jordan Archeological Museum on Amman Citadel, Jordan
Ruins of Roman Temple of Hercules (2nd century) on Roman Citadel in Amman, Jordan; originally with six 33 foot columns, larger than any temple in Rome
2nd century Roman sarcophagus with carved reliefs, within Amman Citadel, Jordan
Remnants of Roman Temple of Hercules (2nd century) in foreground with Umayyad Palace (8th century blend of Byzantine, Islamic and other architectural styles) and minaret of mosque in rear; Amman Citadel, Jordan
Remains of 2nd century Roman nymphaeum (fountain with large pool), Amman Jordan
Oval Forum (plaza) in front of Temple of Artemis (on hill), part of Roman ruins from 1st century BC to 3rd century in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Roman food market ("marcellum") from 2nd century; it had stalls for merchants within large niches of walls, along the Cardo (main street); part of Roman ruins in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Entrance to Temple of Artemis (2nd century), part of Roman ruins in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Ampitheater (2nd century Roman) used for performances and council meetings in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Arch honoring Emperor Hadrian's visit to Jerash in 129-130; Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Inscription in Greek carved into stone, possibly a dedication for a building, Jerash, Amman; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
The Cardo Maximus, collonaded main street of Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Temple alongside Cardo Maximus, main street of Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Gateway of collonaded street to Roman theater in northern section of Jerash; best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Temple of Artemis (2nd century), part of Roman ruins in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Oval Forum (plaza) and Cardo Maximus (main street); part of Roman ruins from 1st century BC to 3rd century in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Ruins of Hippodrome (2nd century stadium) in Jerash, Jordan; perhaps largest, best preserved site of Roman architecture outside Italy
Stairs into interior of Ajloun Castle, 12th century fortress used to control bedouins and to defend Muslims against Crusader attacks, Northwestern Jordan
Large chamber in Ajloun Castle, 12th century fortress used to control bedouins and to defend Muslims against Crusader attacks, Northwestern Jordan
Arrow slit used to defend Ajloun Castle, 12th century fortress used to control bedouins and to defend Muslims against Crusader attacks, Northwestern Jordan
Initial gate (there were two others) to Ajloun Castle, 12th century fortress used to control bedouins and to defend Muslims against Crusader attacks, Northwestern Jordan
From Jabal Auf (hilltop), Aljoun Castle guarded three wades and provided panoramic views; 12th century fortress used to control bedouins and to defend Muslims against Crusader attacks, Northwestern Jordan
Part of Madaba Mosaic Map (6th century floor of St. George's Church), oldest existing depiction of the Holy Land and neighboring territories, Madaba, Jordan
Part of Madaba Mosaic Map (6th century floor of St. George's Church), oldest existing depiction of the Holy Land and neighboring territories, Madaba, Jordan
Cistern ( circa 100 BC - 1st century; it held 3 million gallons), one of about 200, carved into rock by Nabataens as part of elaborate system of reservoirs, channels, etc. to supply water in the desert to people in Litle Petra and Petra, Jordan
Nabatean structure, possibly used to produce wine or process water, near Little Petra, Jordan
Facade of tomb or building cut into sandstone cliffs by Nabataeans, Little Petra, Jordan
Nabataeans used narrow canyon to create protective entrance to Little Petra, Jordan
Entrance to tomb, dwelling or other building cut into sandstone cliffs by Nabataeans, Little Petra, Jordan
Entrance to tomb, dwelling or other building cut into sandstone cliffs by Nabataeans, Little Petra, Jordan
Long curving stairway leading to tomb, dwelling or other building cut into sandstone cliffs by Nabataeans, Little Petra, Jordan
Ruins of Wu’ayra Castle, built by crusaders circa 1116 on top of remains of a Nabataean or Roman predecessor
Bronze Roman statue, Petra Museum, Petra, Jordan
Carved stone sculptures, including torso of Apollo, and architectural fragments from Nebataeans, Greeks and Romans, Petra Museum, Petra, Jordan
Multi-strand necklace with over 2,580 beads of turquoise and other stones and a mother-of-pearl divider from about 7500-6800 BC that was worn by an 8 to 10-year-old girl. Petra Museum, Petra, Jordan.
Anatolian marble vase with lioness handles from the Roman Period (170-210 AD), Petra Museum, Petra, Jordan
Siq gorge, part of Wadi Musa, is path to main entrance to city of Petra; it narrows to as little as 10' and its walls are hundreds of feet tall, Jordan
The "Treasury", cut out of sandstone by Nabataeans, was a mausoleum and crypt and got its modern name from Bedouins who thought it contained treasures, Petra, Jordan
5th century mosaic floors of Byzantine Church, Petra, Jordan
Tombs, temples, public bildings carved into sandstone by Nebataeans, in Siq gorge, part of Wadi Musa, which is path to main entrance to city of Petra, Jordan.
First century BC tomb, topped with four obelisks and standing over a chamber used for ritual feasts, has Egyptian, Nebataean, etc. architectural styles, Petra, Jordan
Colonnaded Street, a carriageway, built by Romans (circa 100), once lined with shops and public buildings, Petra, Jordan
First century Nebataean ampitheater (held 4,000 to more than 8,000 spectators) carved into sandstone, Petra, Jordan
3 story Palace Tomb, 1st century BC, Petra, Jordan
Pre-historic polygraph carvings of camels, horses, humans and other thing figures on stone cliffs, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Pre-historic polygraph carvings of camels, horses, humans and other things on stone cliffs, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Intact, signed (three artists) and dated (530) floor mosaic known as the Diakonikon Mosaic, in church on Mt.Nebo, Jordan. Shows hunting and pastoral scenes with various animals
Huaca Pucllana, pre-Inca (200 – 700) clay and adobe stepped pyramid Lima, Peru
Double spout bottles, used in rituals and as funerary offerings, and other Nazca ceramics (circa 1-800), Larco Museum, Lima Peru
A child's body, perhaps Incan (8th to 13th century) wrapped in cloth and covered with a metal funerary mask, pepared for journey into underworld, Larcos Museum, Lima, Peru
Human skulls, perhaps as old as 4000 BC, with prominent hole in the back and a tool used by Incan healers/priests to make such holes to relieve pressure from subdural hematomas. Scientists think that only one of the two operations was successful.
Pre-Columbian Era (8000 BC to 1532) gold ceremonial headware or masks, Larcos Museum, Lima, Peru
Funerary attire of high ranking person from Chimu empire (12th to 15th century), Larcos Museum, Lima, Peru
Moche (1st through 8th centuries) ceramic vessels with spouts and figures engaged in sexual activities, Erotic Gallery of Larcos Museum, Lima, Peru
Walls made of massive stones (up to 125 tons) of Sacsayhuaman, 15th century Incan fortress on hill overlooking Cusco, Peru
Sacsayhuaman, 15th century Incan fortress on hill overlooking Cusco, Peru
15th century Urban and Agricultural sectors of Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru
Agricultural area and adjacent stone buildings, citadel of Machu Picchu (15th Century), Peru
Terraces built by Incas for agriculture (corn, potatoes, quinoa, coca leaf) as well as to manage water supplies, prevent erosion and stabilize against landslides; Machu Picchu (15th century), Peru
Temple of the Sun, central to Incan religoius activities, Machu Picchu (15th Century), Peru
One of many Incan made canals to carry water from springs to irragation systems for agriculture and to fountains in Machu Picchu (15th Century), Peru
Royal Tomb, under Temple of Sun, with intricate stonework, was site for Incan ceremonies, Machu Picchu (15th century), Peru
Wall showing two styles of Incan masonary: polygonal (irregularly shaped stones fitted using dirt/mortar and used for terraces, etc.) and Ashlar (finely cut recxtangular blocks precisely fitted without mortar); Machu Pichu (15th century), Peru
"Water Mirrors" that may have been used for ritualistic and astronomical purposes (e.g., observing reflections of planets, stars), Machu Pichu (15th century), Peru
Church of Nativity, one of oldest continuously operating churches in the world (since 400), Bethlehelm
Grotto where Jesus is believed to have been born, under the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehelm
12th Century wall mosics created by Crusaders in Church of Nativity, one of oldest continuously operating churches in the world (since 400), Bethlehelm
Dome of the Prophet on the Temple Mount; the original was built between 661 and 750 and destroyed by Crusaders; it was rebuilt in 1539; Jerusalem
Chain gate minaret (circa 1329), one of the four minarets of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Jerusalem
Small section of Roman road 26 feet wide lined with stone curbs and Corinthian columns discovered during excvations for housing in 1969. The road once connected Roman Jerusalem with Jaffa, 50 miles to the west.
Zion Gate (circa 1540) leads from Mount Zion to Jewish and Armenian quarters of Old Jerusalem; Gate has bullet holes from 1948 Israeli War of Independence
15th Century monaret for 12th century Mosque of Omar, located opposite courtyard of Church of Holy Sepulchre, Old Jerusalem
Tower of David, near Old Jaffe Gate entrance to Old Jerusaelm; parts of the Tower go back 2,000 years
Corinthian and Byzantine columns and capitals, potentially dating back to Romans (117-139) or earlier time of King Herod, in Church of Holy Sepulchre (a 4th century structure built on remains of Roman Temple and rebuilt in 1048; sits over site of Jesus' burial), Old Jerusalem
Dome of the Rock, 7th century Islamic shrine commemorating Mohammed's ascent into heaven for Muslims and for Jewish people the place where Solomon's Temple once stood; located on Temple Mount, Old Jerusalem
Mosaic ceiling of 7th century Dome of the Chain (Muslims say a chain once rose to heaven from this location), Temple Mount, Old Jerusalem
Western Wall (right); what remains of wall that surrounded Temple Mount, the site of Solomon's Temple (completed 957 BC and destroyed 586 BC by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon) and then site of the Second Temple (circa 516 BC, possibly 350 BC); separate Jewish prayer areas for men and women are in front of the Wall, Old Jerusalem
Damascus Gate (1537), a primary entrance to Old Jerusalem built on site of 2nd century Roman gate built by Emperior Hadrian