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While later Mayan vessels show intricate art depicting daily life, this vessel is smooth and unadorned. It is an example of early renditions and its shape and size is similar to later more decorated examples. This cylinder was most likely owned by someone of status since it is in a condition that suggests that it was owned for its artistic merit and not functional.
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The Colosseum in Rome was finished in 80 AD under the rule of Titus. It is an architectural masterpiece and is said to have been able to hold up to 80,000 spectators. It was used for gladiatorial events, entertainment, executions, and re-enactments but after an earthquake in the 14th century, part of it collapsed and the stone was used for material elsewhere. In it’s lifetime the Colosseum was also used as a fortress, housing for shops, a church and even a cemetery.
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The Pantheon is one of the best examples of intact Roman Architecture. While it’s actual construction date and owner has been debated, it is generally excepted that is was rebuilt by Hadrian around 126 CE after several iterations of the building had been destroyed. It has been in constant use and currently serves as a Christian church and has since medieval times.
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This silver bust depicts Sarapis, a popular Greek god during the second and third century. Silver busts of him were popular for private worship in the household. The basket is missing from his head in this example. The god is a mixture of Greek, Roman and Egyptian features. He was used as a tool to unite Egyptians and Greeks under the Ptolemaic kings.
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Buddha is depicted here as he delivers his first sermon to five ascetics in Sarnath who become monks. Buddha teaches the four noble truths in this first sermon and therefore sets the wheel of dharma in motion. This carving was discovered in Pakistan and dates back to the second century CE.
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This is a Roman bronze statue of Tyche, the goddess of luck or fortune. Tyche was often invoked to personify a city and statues depicting Tyche would often be created with head pieces representing the cities walls. Tyche, to the Greeks, was also known as Fortuna to the Romans.
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This Buddha, carved in Schist, shows great detail and depicts Siddhartha Gautama setting the wheel of Dharma in motion. This is an early carving of the Buddha, previous to the first century CE Buddha had been represented by symbols alone, such as foot prints.
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This is a depiction of a toucan originating from the Precolumbian Costa Rican region. It was created between the first and fifth centuries. It is a complicated symbol that suggests an anthropomorphic perspective of the bird due to the inclusion of crossed arms and a trophy head in place of feet.
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This ceramic sculptured dates to the fifth or sixth century CE and originates from the Gulf of Mexico. It depicts either a dog or a coyote and was crafted with a flat surface, which was favored by the inhabitants at the time.
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The Beth Alpha synagogue was built between 518 and 527 CE according to surviving inscriptions. While most of the synagogue has been destroyed, the remaining mosaics, particularly in the Nave, illustrate the artistic skill of the era.
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This early Byzantine chalice dates to approximately seventh century CE and is a representation of Christian dedication. It is gilded in silver and gold, depicting monetary prosperity.
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This carving was most likely done between 590 and 628, during the reign of Khosrau II of the Sasanian Empire. He was one of the last Sasanian kings before the Muslim conquest of what is now modern day Iran.
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This urn shows the Zapotec people’s god of rain, Cosijo. This clay art was placed in burial chambers or tombs and dates from 200 BCE to 750 CE. He represents the earth (or Jaguar) and sky (or serpent).
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Tikal Temple I or the Temple of the Great Jaguar is a Mayan structure in Mesoamerica that was built in approximately 732 CE in Tikal. The temple houses the tomb of Jasaw Chan K’awiil I who ruled the area between 682 and 734 CE.
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The Tower of London was established by William the Conqueror in 1066 to hold back the London people after conquering England. The White Tower was finished in 1080. That Tower of London has a long rich history including prisoners, captive animals, murder and continued expansion by later rulers.
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The current St. Mark’s Basilica was completed in Venice in approximately 1093. Before that it had been a church built in 832. The church has a rich history and is a combination of Italian and Byzantine style. It is visited by countless tourists every year and allegedly houses the body of Saint Mark. It is also home to brilliant mosaic art inside.
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This gilt bronze statue was created in China during the Wei
Dynasty in 486. Maitreya is a bodhisattva prophesied to arrive on this plane of existence in the future to teach the dharma. -
This is a Buddhist temple that was originally constructed as a villa in 998. It houses a display of Amida Buddha and has been added to and changed over the years. The Phoenix Hall, completed in 1053, is a source of national pride.
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Borobudur was constructed in the 8th and 9th centuries CE and is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. It is located in Central Java, Indonesia and has more than 500 Buddhist statues with a strong Indian artistic influence. It was abandoned for unknown reasons between the 11th century CE and 15th century CE. It was rediscovered and restored in the 20th century CE.
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Oseburg longship is built of oak and dates to 800CE. It was found in a burial mount in Norway and is the most intact Viking ship ever discoverd. It is ornately decorated and even has a Buddha ornament. It is speculated that viking explorers encountered Buddhist monks on their travels.
