Timeline of Ancient Art and Civilizations

Paleolithic

Old Stone Age

Venus Pendant

Also known as 'Sorcerer'

Hall of the Bulls

Located in Lascaux Cave

Sumerian

Ancient civilization in Mesopotamia

Uruk Vase

A significant artifact from Sumerian culture

Standing Male Worshiper

A representation of a Sumerian figure

Standard of Ur

A Sumerian artifact depicting war and peace

Akkadian

A civilization that followed the Sumerians in Mesopotamia

Stele of Naram-Sin

A monument celebrating Akkadian king Naram-Sin

Neo-Sumerian

A revival of Sumerian culture after the Akkadian period

Standing Gudea with Gushing Vase

A statue from the Neo-Sumerian period

Babylonian

An ancient civilization that succeeded the Akkadians

Stele of Hammurabi

A Babylonian artifact inscribed with one of the earliest codes of law

Neo-Assyrian

A period marked by the expansion of the Assyrian Empire

Lamassu

A protective deity often depicted as a winged bull

Ashurnasirpal II and Sacred Tree

A relief depicting the Assyrian king and a sacred tree

Ashurnasirpal II Killing Lions

A depiction of the Assyrian king's lion hunt

Enemies Crossing River to Escape Assyrian Archers

A relief illustrating the military prowess of the Assyrians

Citadel and Palace of Sargon II

An architectural complex from the Neo-Assyrian period

Predynastic Egypt

The period before the unification of Egypt

Narmer Palette

An artifact symbolizing the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt

Old Kingdom

The period known for the construction of pyramids

Great Pyramids

The pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure

Khafre Statue

A statue of Pharaoh Khafre from the Old Kingdom

Menkaura and Queen

A statue depicting Pharaoh Menkaura with his queen

Ti Watching a Hippo Hunt

A relief from the Old Kingdom depicting a hunting scene

Seated Scribe

A statue representing a scribe from the Old Kingdom

New Kingdom

A period marked by the height of Egyptian power and culture

Seated Statue of Hatshepsut

A statue of the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut

A temple dedicated to Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Colossal Figure of Akhenaten

A large statue of Pharaoh Akhenaten

Nebamun Hunting in the Marshes

A painting depicting a hunting scene from the New Kingdom

House Altar with Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Daughters

An altar depicting the royal family of Akhenaten

Bust of Nefertiti

A famous sculpture of Queen Nefertiti

Tutankhamun's Inner Sarcophagus

The sarcophagus of the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun

Mouth-Opening Ceremony

A ritual depicted in the Book of the Dead of Hunefer

Temple of Ramses II

Also known as Abu Simbel, a monumental temple

Amarna Period

A subperiod within the New Kingdom associated with Akhenaten

Cycladic

An ancient Aegean culture known for its figurines

Bastis Master, Female Figure

A notable Cycladic sculpture

Minoan

An ancient civilization on the island of Crete

Palace at Knossos

A major archaeological site of Minoan civilization

Snake Goddess

A Minoan figurine representing a deity

Bull Leaping

A wall painting from Minoan culture

Bull Leaper (Bronze)

A bronze figure from c. 1600-1450 BCE

Mycenaean

An ancient Greek civilization known for its palatial states

Citadel at Mycenae

A major archaeological site of Mycenaean civilization

Vapheio Cup

A gold cup from the Mycenaean period

Pylos Combat Agate

An engraved stone from the Mycenaean period

Geometric Period

An early period in Greek art characterized by geometric motifs

Geometric Krater

A large vase from the Geometric Period

Archaic Period

A period in Greek art known for the development of sculpture

Kouros

A statue of a young male from the Archaic Period

Peplos Kore

A statue of a young female from the Archaic Period

Classical Period

A period in Greek art marked by idealized forms and proportions

Kritios Boy

A statue representing a transition to the Classical Period