Ancient Art

July 4, 2021

This Ancient Palace on the Island of Crete Has the Oldest Throne Room in Europe

On the island of Crete lies the ruins of an ancient palace. Now part of modern Greece, Crete was once the center of the Aegean civilization known as the Minoans. Known for elaborate palaces and beautiful frescos, the Minoans were powerful players in the eastern Mediterranean during the Bronze Age, with trading connections to Old Kingdom Egypt and the civilizations of Mesopotamia. The Minoans are commonly described as the first complex civilization of Europe.

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June 2, 2021

Archeologists Accidentally Discover 250 Rock-Cut Tombs in Egypt

With thousands of years of rich history full of powerful kings, impressive technology, and monumental architecture, Egypt is an archeologist's dream. New, exciting discoveries are frequently being made throughout the country. From lost golden cities to submerged statues, each discovery helps archeologists, classicists, and historians learn more about Egyptian history and the operations of daily life millennia ago.

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April 30, 2021

1,600-Year-Old Geometric Mosaic Discovered in Israel

Mosaic floors are an important feature of ancient art and architecture in the Mediterranean and Near East. In fact, these intricate ruins often appear when least expected—such as beneath a vineyard in Italy. On a dig just outside Yavne—a city located 15 miles south of Tel Aviv in Israel—a team of archeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) discovered a well-preserved mosaic floor with detailed geometric patterns.

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March 19, 2021

Australia’s Oldest Known Rock Art is a 17,300-Year-Old Kangaroo Painting

Australia is famous for its kangaroos. These cute marsupials have been a feature of the landscape for thousands of years and are an important part of Aboriginal history and culture. Confirming this is a recent discovery made by researchers in Western Australia. They found a 17,300-year-old painting of a kangaroo in a rock shelter in the Kimberley area, which is a place known for prolific rock art spanning thousands of years.

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