Images

A Neolithic (3500 BCE) skull showing evidence of a trephination operation - the removal of a part of the cranium to relieve pressure, used as a medical treatment for a variety of ailments from migraines to mental illness...

Bust of the Greek philosopher Plato, mid-1st century CE copy from a 4th century BCE original statue by Silanion. (Vatican Museums, Rome).

A Roman period statue of possibly Kore-Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. The head in fact is restored after a head of Apollo. She is sculpted in the style of 5th century BCE Greek statues and is wearing a peplum, a common...

A marble statue of a wounded Amazon. From an original by 5th century BCE Greek sculptor Phidias. Head: replica of that of the Amazon by Polykleitos. Provenance: Villa d'Este, Tivoli. (Capitoline Museums, Palazzo Nuovo, Rome)

A bronze gilded statue of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, larger-than-lifesize and most probably erected in 176 CE and placed in Rome, perhaps in the Forum. (Capitoline Museums, Palazzo dei Conservatori, Rome).

A 19th century CE Tibetan mandala, a tool used in some Buddhist schools and also in Hindu and Jain tradition. Mandalas are ritual images designed to facilitate different psychophysical practices such as meditation.

A detail of the garden fresco from the winter triclinium (dining room) from the Villa of Livia, wife of Augustus, Rome. The life-size representations of trees, flowers, fruit and birds decorate all four walls of the room...

Roman sculpture in pentellic marble. An amazon rider is about to deal the fatal blow to a barbarian. This marble sculpture is influenced by the 2nd century BCE Pergamene school of sculpture and itself dates from the mid-2nd...

The 2nd century BCE bronze statue known as 'The Hellenistic Prince'. The statue perhaps represents Attalus II, king of Pergamon. The head may also be a portrait of an unknown wealthy Roman, eager to appear as a Hellenistic...

The head of the 2nd century BCE bronze statue known as 'The Hellenistic Prince'. The statue perhaps represents Attalus II, king of Pergamon. The head may also be a portrait of an unknown wealthy Roman, eager to appear...