While we may be separated by the lines of centuries, technology, and the ability to buy little trinkets on Etsy, it seems we're not all that different from our ancestors: They, too, evidently loved a good tchotchke. Hats. Very, erm, thirsty sculptures. Heck, even commemorative cups emblazoned with the names of Roman gladiators. Good souvenirs have always been a key staple of humanity, one that has allowed us a fascinating glimpse back at our artisanal past.
From some very suggestive statues to a gold hat that would make Alejandro Jodorowsky weep tears of envy, here are 20 absolutely stunning artifacts from throughout history.
1
“Woollen cap found in the grave of a 17th century Dutch whaler.”
2
“Roman glass souvenir cup bearing the images and names of gladiators popular in Rome at the time, 50-80CE.”
3
“The Corinthian capital from the Temple of Hadrian at Cyzicus, in Turkey, is the largest capital known to date. It is 2.5 metres in height, 1.9 metres in diameter and 20 tons in weight. It was unearthed in 2013”
4
“The Elephant Gate (entrance) at Carlsberg Brewery, Copenhagen, Denmark. Architect: Vilhelm Dahlerup, 1901. Made out of granite from the island of Bornholm.”
5
“A pair of 15th century Venetian calcagnetti, the soles add 43cm (17 inches) to the wearer's height. Women who wore them needed support from their maids while walking. Despite a safety ban in 1430, the custom continued until the 1650s.”
6
“A flexible double-bladed rapier concealed in a silver ring snake sheath, made during the 19th century in Toledo, Spain.”
7
“One of 4 golden hats found throughout Germany (3) and France (1). Nearly 3500 years old.”
8
“Vintage photo of an Ainu family (1903) the Ainu were the indigenous people of Hokkaido and are essentially fully assimilated into Japanese culture with only a handful of Ainu speakers left.”
9
“A flintlock rifle with a twisted barrel and heart shaped bore from 1765, formerly owned by George IV, now part of the Royal Collection Trust.”
10
“The earliest depiction of Jesus, engraved by someone mocking their friend for believing in him, giving him a donkey head ~200AD.”
11
“Badge displaying an enormous phallus, the reverse shows a woman pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with phalli, 1375-1450 CE, found in Vlaardingen in the Netherlands, now part of a private collection.”
12
“Baking mold for pastry or bread with animal images. Terracotta, early 2nd millennium BC, royal palace at Mari. Excavated in 1935-1936, currently in Louvre.”
13
“Egyptian faience beaded fishnet dress dating from the Fourth Dynasty, c. 2550 BCE.”
14
“Ceramic bottle shaped like a copulating couple. Peru, Moche civilization, 1-800 AD.”
15
“The Star Carr Frontlets dating to 11,000 years ago that were discovered at Star Carr Mesolithic archaeological site south of Scarborough in North Yorkshire,England(Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology).”
16
“An orthopedic correction frame dating back to 1665 and now housed at the Thackray Museum of Medicine in England.”
17
“CAUTION - DO NOT DIG; this epitaph located in Willow Springs, Illinois, US marks the area where radioactive waste from the world’s first nuclear reactor was buried.”
18
“A boy's dress with mother-of-pearl buttons. England, around 1865 .”
19
“Christmas nativity scene on a medieval Djulfa (Jugha) khachkar (cross-stone), from Aram Vruyr's 1915 expedition. Djulfa was the world's largest medieval Armenian cemetery, located in nakhichevan, Azerbaijan. The cemetery was completely destroyed in the 2000s by Azerbaijan.”
20
“A leather writing from a brother to his sister of the late Sassanid era (224–651 AD) was discovered in Hastijan, Iran. The content of the letter includes the brother's best-wishes to his sister, and requesting the return of the oil bottle that he had given to her.”
