Top 10 Oldest Artifacts Ever Found

This ancient Roman cup dates back to around 280-300 AD, featuring intricate gold and glasswork. The cup is made of two layers of glass, one transparent and the other opaque, creating a colorful effect. It is believed to have been created by the Roman imperial physician Pediasius. The Lycurgus Cup is also notable for being one of the earliest known examples of dichroic glass.

Discovered in 1974, this life-sized army of over 8,000 terracotta soldiers was buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, to protect him in the afterlife. The army is made up of different types of soldiers, horses, and chariots. Each soldier has a unique face and clothing, indicating they were intended to be an exact replica of life.

Dating back around 2100 BC, this ancient Mesopotamian epic poem is considered one of the earliest surviving works of literature. The story tells of Gilgamesh's quest for immortality and friendship with Enkidu. The epic has been translated into many languages and remains a significant cultural artifact.

Discovered in 2007, this 2,200-year-old terracotta princess is part of the same collection as the Terracotta Army. She is remarkably well-preserved and has golden hair and clothes. The discovery shed light on ancient Chinese burial practices and funerary rituals.

This ancient Greek astronomical calculator dates back to around 100 BC, featuring intricate gears and dials that allowed users to track celestial movements. It was discovered in a shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera in 1900. The mechanism is considered one of the earliest known analog computers.

Discovered between 1947-1956, these ancient scrolls contain texts from the Hebrew Bible and other Jewish works, dating back to around 150 BC to 70 AD. They were hidden in a cave near Qumran, Israel. The scrolls provide significant insights into ancient Judaism and early Christianity.

This prehistoric statue, created around 25,000-30,000 years ago, is one of the oldest known examples of art made by early humans. It depicts a woman holding a child and has been interpreted as a symbol of fertility. The statue was discovered in Austria's Willendorf Valley.

Discovered in 1965, this ancient seal stamp features intricate designs and is believed to have originated around 560 BC from the region of Lydia (present-day Turkey). The wedge-shaped seal is about 2 cm long and has been interpreted as a symbol of power and authority.

This ancient script was used in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India between 2500-1900 BC, representing one of the earliest known writing systems in the world. Despite numerous attempts to decipher it, the exact meaning remains unclear. The script is considered an important piece of cultural heritage.

Created around 3100-3050 BC, this ancient Egyptian ceremonial palette is believed to be the earliest known record of a pharaoh's name and features a unique symbol combining the king's two names, Narmer and Menes. It was discovered in Egypt in 1898 and showcases an early form of written language.