1st Millennium Bc Collection

Aristotle crying, conceptual artwork
Aristotle crying. Conceptual artwork of a bust of the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC), who is depicted here crying

Hoe Blade, Neolithic period, (3rd / 2nd millennium B. C. ), or early Shang dynasty (c)
Hoe Blade, Neolithic period, (3rd/2nd millennium B.C.), or early Shang dynasty (c. 1600/1045 B.C.)

Curved Dagger-Blade (ge), late Shang dynasty to Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1200-771 B. C
Curved Dagger-Blade (ge), late Shang dynasty to Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1200-771 B.C

Plaque, Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1045-771 B. C. Creator: Unknown
Plaque, Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1045-771 B.C

Dagger-Blade (ge), late Shang dynasty to Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1200-771 B. C
Dagger-Blade (ge), late Shang dynasty to Western Zhou dynasty, c. 1200-771 B.C

Ancient Egyptian cosmetics spoon. This artefact from Ancient Egypt, made in the shape of a woman, is thought to have been used to hold cosmetic ointments for women

Worldview of Thales of Miletus, artwork C018 / 3558
Worldview of Thales of Miletus. The Ancient Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus (c.624 to c.546 BC) was a mathematician, astronomer, and one of the first to advance scientific viewpoints

MAP: PHOENICIAN EMPIRE. Map of the Phoenician colonies and routes of supposed voyages

Prehistory: Sweden, 15th-5th centuries B. C. Bronze Age. Rock carvings at Tanum (UNESCO World Heritage List)
Prehistory: Sweden - 15th-5th centuries b.C. - Bronze Age. Rock carvings at Tanum (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1994) representing a snake in front of a man

Mummy of Queen Nedjemet, wife of Herihor, face detail
Egyptian civilization, Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty XXI. Mummy of Queen Nedjemet, wife of Herihor. Face detail

Ancient Ivory and bronze mirror from Pylos (Greece), Mycenaean Civilization, 16th Century BC

Weighing scales or balance pans and lead weights
Bronze weighing scales or balance pans and lead weights, Vapheio tholos tomb, Laconia Greece. Late Helladic period II (15th c. BCE)

Wall-painting fragment depicting woman
Wall-painting fragment depicting a woman from a ceremonial procession. From the later Tiryns palace. 14th-13th Century BC Mycenaean Greek

Gold cup with rich spiral decoration, found in Shaft Grave V, Grave Circle A, Mycenae. 1600-1500 BC.National Archaeological Museum, Athens

Mycenaean bronze dagger from 16-14th century BC

Gold cups with rich spiral decoration, found in Shaft Grave V, Grave Circle A, Mycenae. 1600-1500 BC.National Archaeological Museum, Athens

Rock carvings of Tanum or Tanumshede, detail of rock paintings depicting boats with people aboard
Sweden - Vitlycke museum. Rock carvings of Tanum or Tanumshede (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1994), Scandinavian Bronze Age. Detail of rock paintings depicting boats with people aboard

Engraving representing human couple, symbol of fertility, Nordic Bronze Age rock carvings
Sweden - Tanum - Tanumshede (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1994) - Vitlycke Museum. Nordic Bronze Age rock carvings. Engraving representing a human couple, symbol of fertility

Detail of relief depicting female dancers
Greek civilization, 8th-6th century b.C. Relief depicting female dancers (farandola dance). Detail

Front of the kudurru (boundary stone) for Ritti-Marduk, white limestone 1st millennium B.C. France, Paris, Musee du Louvre, Babylonian art

Relief depicting offering bearers, from Urartu, Armenia
Hittite civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Relief depicting offering bearers. From Urartu, Armenia

Basalt relief with hieroglyphic inscriptions, from procession route of Carchemish, Turkey
Hittite civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Basalt relief with hieroglyphic inscriptions, from procession route of Carchemish, Turkey

Gold ornament from a chair First Millennium B.C. Scythian art

Gold and lapis lazuli jewel representing the head of Horus
Egyptian civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Gold and lapis lazuli jewel representing the head of Horus

Relief depicting a winged god stepping on a lion from the kingdom of Urartu, Armenia, Hittite civilization
Hittite civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Relief depicting a winged god stepping on a lion, from the kingdom of Urartu, Armenia

Ornament of a mummy: necklace with scarab
Egyptian civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Ornament of a mummy: necklace with scarab

Ornament of a mummy: faience pectoral with winged scarab
Egyptian civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Ornament of a mummy: faience pectoral with winged scarab

Ornament of a mummy: pectoral with scarab made of lapis lazuli
Egyptian civilization, 1st millennium b.C. Ornament of a mummy: pectoral with scarab made of lapis lazuli

Scythian gold ornament, 4th century BC
Scythian gold ornament. Details of animals depicted on a gold chest ornament found during archaeological excavations in the Ukraine

Mingechevir burial urn, 2nd century BC
Mingechevir burial urn. Human bones and artifacts found inside a burial urn (funerary urn) uncovered by archaeological excavations near the River Kura, in the city of Mingechevir, Azerbaijan

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In the 1st millennium BC, ancient civilizations flourished and left behind remarkable artifacts that continue to captivate us today. From conceptual artwork depicting Aristotle shedding tears to intricately crafted Hoe Blades from the Neolithic period, this era is a treasure trove of historical wonders. One such marvel is the Curved Dagger-Blade (ge), which originated during the late Shang dynasty and extended into the Western Zhou dynasty. Dating back to around 1200-771 B. C. , these blades showcase exquisite craftsmanship and were likely used for ceremonial purposes or as symbols of power. Another intriguing artifact from this time is a Plaque from the Western Zhou dynasty. Created by an unknown artist between 1045-771 B. C. , it represents a glimpse into their artistic prowess and cultural beliefs. The Funeral Chariot discovered in Siberia, dating back to the 5th century BC, provides insight into burial practices of that era. Crafted out of wood, it serves as a testament to human ingenuity even in somber rituals. A stone Figure of a warrior wearing a helmet and wielding a club speaks volumes about military prowess during this epoch. It stands as evidence of societies' focus on defense strategies and warfare tactics. Handle-Shaped Jade objects also emerged during this period, possibly originating from either the Shang or Western Zhou dynasties. These delicate pieces reflect both aesthetic beauty and symbolic significance within ancient Chinese culture. As we delve deeper into history through these artifacts like Dagger-Blades (ge) or Plaques, we are reminded of our ancestors' creativity, spirituality, and societal complexities that shaped their lives in ways still resonating with us today. The first millennium BC was truly an age where artistry met functionality - leaving behind enduring legacies for future generations to admire and ponder upon.