Black and white drawings of Neanderthals and other early men

Neanderthals Were Smarter Than You Think

Neanderthals, suggest recent studies, had complex societies and even some culture.
Central medallion of a Qashqai rug, 19th century, with fragmented Herati pattern.

An Object History of the Persian Carpet

The famous Persian carpet, woven by female artisans in southwestern Iran, may be going extinct. Its story can be told in spindles and whorls.
Nazca lines, Saudi Arabia Photo Credit: Google Earth

The Strange Geometric Shapes Scattered Across the Middle East

Like the Nazca lines of Peru, a strange series of shapes have been found in the Middle East. New research has tried to understand their purpose.