Ancient Art

September 2, 2023

Explore the Diamond Sลซtra: The Worldโ€™s Earliest Dated and Printed Book in Existence

Like its namesake stone, the Diamond Sลซtra was found underground. In 1900, a Buddhist monk in the Gansu province of China stumbled upon a sealed entrance leading to a series of 492 connected caves. The site had been closed off to the world since the start of the 11th century. Once a major Buddhist center, the area is known as Mogao (โ€œPeerlessโ€) Caves or the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas.

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September 30, 2022

Palestinian Farmer Discovers an Ancient Byzantine Mosaic Under His Olive Grove

Ancient mosaics turn up in surprising places. From urban London to a New York City coffee table to Italian vineyards and English fields, mosaics are unearthed across the world. The Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire (its descendant) were especially prolific mosaic creators. Now, a stunning new example of Byzantine craftsmanship has been discoveredโ€”this time by a Palestinian farmer in Gaza who was digging in his olive grove.

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June 25, 2022

Drought Causes Tigris River to Recede, Exposes a 3,400-Year-Old City

Thousands of years ago, the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers gave birth to some of the earliest civilizations. The rivers created a region known as the Fertile Crescent, where flourishing trade routes, rich agriculture, and magnificent cities abounded. Today, these ancient Mesopotamian ruins are found in Iraq, Iran, and other Near Eastern nations. These places are now experiencing harsh drought, particularly as climate change raises regional temperatures.

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May 5, 2022

3D Technology Reveals North Americaโ€™s Largest Repository of Ancient Cave Art

The American southeast is filled with over 10,000 caves rich in history. Indigenous people used these caves as their canvas, leaving behind a wealth of cave art. Until now, some of that art has remained a mystery due to tight quarters and mud buildup that has covered these markings. But a new study has shown how 3D technology can help reveal these mysteries.

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My Modern Met

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