18 ancient exhibits that showcase the creativity of past generations (19 photos)
We're used to the idea that when it comes to ancient artifacts, everything is extremely strict and orderly: gods, kings, rituals, and lofty meanings. But history isn't just dusty display cases and boring inscriptions. 
There's also a bronze cat that centuries later makes you want to pet, a papyrus with an Orwellian twist (yes, cats serve mice), and a hickory doll with an expressive, almost piercing gaze. Ready to see the other side of antiquity?
1. Medieval reliquary in the shape of a three-legged fish from Germany, circa 900-1350 AD. 
This artifact was created as a vessel for the relics of Mary Magdalene.
2. Kabuki costume - haori with arrow and target, Edo period, 19th century, Tokyo National Museum 
3. A 4,000-year-old Egyptian writing tablet shows spelling errors made by a student, marked in red. 
4. Roman Intaglio (ring) depicting mice sharing food, 200 BC 
5. Fragment of the neck of a red-figured funnel from a krater (a bowl for mixing wine and water). Apulia, Italy, circa 340 BC. 
6. Bronze censer in the shape of a cat. Iran or Afghanistan, Ghurid Dynasty, 1050-1150 AD 
7. Indian Silver-plated Peacock Dish, 19th Century 
8. Rock Crystal Dish, Milan, Italy, 16th Century century 
9. Roman floor mosaic, ancient Ammedara, now Haidra, Tunisia (3rd-4th centuries CE) 
10. Terracotta jug depicting a black African man in a tunic and holding two spears, Cyprus, 750-600 BC 
11. Doll with a painted hickory head named "Old Black Joe," USA, circa 1900 
12. Bronze plate armor. China, Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD 
13. Pink sandstone sculpture at Hevajra. Cambodia, Khmer Empire, 13th century CE. 
14. Women's winter boots with rubber soles and knitted uppers, 1880-1900, New England 
15. Leather and iron helmet, India, 17th century century 
16. Lobster Dish by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, Portugal, 1889 
17. Bronze Daggers and Swords. Lorestan, Iran, 2000-1000 BC 
18. Satirical Papyrus, Tuna el-Gebel, ca. 1129-1111 BCE 
A gracefully seated mouse lady is offered a drink by one of the cats standing nearby, while another cat arranges her hair, commenting on a social order in which the natural roles of animals are reversed.
