Photo: Sébastien Leclerc via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

Once a thriving cultural and political hub, the ancient city of Babylon was founded around 2,000 BCE in what is now modern-day Iraq. Today, its ruins—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site—lie around 85 kilometers (52 miles) south of Baghdad, and remain a fascinating place of discovery. Over the years, archaeologists have uncovered everyday artifacts and city layouts that have helped us learn more about this ancient civilization. However, it’s the thousands of cuneiform tablets that have really helped shed light on the intricacies of Babylonian life. Now, scholars have successfully used AI to piece together ancient cuneiform fragments that belong to the same long-lost text.

Anmar A. Fadhil from the University of Baghdad and Dr. Enrique Jiménez Enrique Jiménez, professor of Ancient Near Eastern Literatures at LMU’s Institute of Assyriology, digitized all cuneiform text fragments that have been discovered worldwide. Their team used artificial intelligence to decipher etched fragments that belong together, leading to the discovery of a lost hymn. Jiménez explains, “Using our AI-supported platform, we managed to identify 30 other manuscripts that belong to the rediscovered hymn—a process that would formerly have taken decades.”

The preserved tablet fragments dating from the 7th to the 1st centuries BCE offer fascinating insight into Babylonian life and values. The hymn celebrates the natural beauty of Babylon, saying the city “flourishes in her charms,” like a lush fruit garden. It also highlights key elements of the city, including the river Euphrates; its star (the “Star of Marduk,” named for its patron god); its grand gate; the protective wall Imgur-Enlil; and its king, Alulu. Researchers believe the rediscovered hymn was so well known and loved that it was likely known by heart by school children.

The popular hymn even sheds light on the life and roles of Babylonian women. Experts were surprised to find mentions of priestesses and their duties—something not seen in any previously known texts. The hymn also provides insights into peaceful coexistence in urban society. For example, the inhabitants are described as being respectful to foreigners. The text even references the divine triad of Anu, Enlil, and Ea—three of Babylon's most powerful gods—alongside the elements of water, fire, and air, which the Babylonians believed were the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

Jiménez believes his team has so far recovered two-thirds of the original text and the missing third is waiting to be found. Find out more about this incredible discovery in the report published on Cambridge University Press.

Scholars have successfully used AI to piece together ancient cuneiform tablet fragments that belong to the same long-lost Babylonian text.

Photo: University of Baghdad via Cambridge University Press (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

The preserved tablet fragments dating from the 7th to the 1st centuries BCE offer fascinating insight into Babylonian life and values.

Photo: University of Baghdad via Cambridge University Press (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Sources: Hymn to Babylon discovered; Literary texts from the sippar library v: a hymn in praise of babylon and the babylonians

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READ: New Discovery of 3,000-Year-Old Babylonian Text Sheds Light on Women’s Roles in Ancient Society

 

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While we know a lot about human history, there’s still so much waiting to be discovered. One of the most fascinating and mysterious finds is the Shell Grotto, uncovered in 1835 beneath a backyard in Margate, England. This 70-foot underground tunnel system, adorned with 4.6 million seashells, forms an intricate, 2,000-square-foot maze of mosaics and symbols. However, even today, the creators of the Shell Grotto remain a mystery.

The first mention of the Shell Grotto in Margate appears in the Kentish Gazette on May 22, 1838, when it was announced that it would soon be open to the public. According to the report, a man called James Newlove who had recently bought Belle Vue Cottage was making some changes when workers hit a large stone. After investigating, they were surprised to discover the extraordinary grotto underground. However, years later, Newlove’s daughter, Francis, recalled her brother Joshua finding the grotto “before anyone else knew about it,” possibly as early as 1835, through a chalk North Passage. In a letter, Francis recalled sneaking into the grotto with her brother, some friends, and “a candle in a lantern round somebody’s neck.”

Some believe the Shell Grotto was once a smugglers’ hideout, while others think it might have been a pagan temple. In Britain, decorative shell structures were popular in the 1700s, often built for aesthetic rather than practical purposes. The ornate, nature-inspired spaces were common in the gardens of wealthy estates, and were built to show off the owner’s wealth and creativity. Today, many of these structures still dot the UK, with the Shell Grotto in Margate being one of the most famous examples. The true purpose of the incredible space remains unknown, but carbon dating suggests the site could date back even further, as far as the 1500s.

From mussels, whelks, oysters, and limpets, nearly all of the 4.6 million shells are native to the British Isles. However, there are some areas where queen conches from the Caribbean are used, such as in the “Altar Room.” The intricate mosaic designs include floral patterns that could symbolize life, fertility, and growth. Plus, there are 19 stone hearts tucked away among the shells, perhaps symbolizing love or connection.

Today, the Shell Grotto is privately owned, and the owners have a theory that it was designed to track the sun, with the Dome acting as a kind of solar calendar. They shared their thoughts on Instagram, saying, “We don’t know if there’s any truth in that, but, some years ago, mirrors were strategically positioned around the grotto on the solstice, and when the sun came out it shone through the Dome at just the right angle to be reflected all the way down the Serpentine Passage, hitting the shrine in the Altar Room! Scientific? Perhaps not. But we felt, just for a moment, like we were in Indiana Jones!”

Regardless of the true origin, there’s no denying that the Shell Grotto is a captivating piece of human history. Today, it’s open to visitors, and the owners even host events like meditation sessions.

Find out more about this amazing discovery on the Shell Grotto website.

This fascinating Shell Grotto was accidentally discovered in 1835 beneath a backyard in Margate, England.

 

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The 70-foot underground tunnel system, adorned with 4.6 million seashells, forms an intricate, 2,000-square-foot maze of mosaics and symbols.

 

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A post shared by Shell Grotto (@shellgrotto)

Today, the creators of the Shell Grotto remain a mystery.

 

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A post shared by Shell Grotto (@shellgrotto)

 

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A post shared by Shell Grotto (@shellgrotto)

 

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A post shared by Shell Grotto (@shellgrotto)

Some believe the Shell Grotto was once a smugglers’ hideout, while others think it might have been a pagan temple.

 

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A post shared by Shell Grotto (@shellgrotto)

The owners have a theory that it was designed to track the sun, with the dome acting as a kind of solar calendar.

 

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A post shared by Shell Grotto (@shellgrotto)

Shell Grotto: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images via Shell Grotto.

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READ: Discover the Mysterious 70-Foot Underground Grotto Covered in 4.6 Million Seashells

Archaeologists in Poland have announced the discovery of a rare 6,000-year-old limestone figurine, found by a farmer near the city of Kołobrzeg. Dating back to the Neolithic era, the artifact—named the Venus of Kołobrzeg—is believed to have been created by early agricultural settlers along the Baltic coast.

The figurine was discovered in December 2022 by a farmer in a village near the Parsęta River, close to Kołobrzeg. Archaeologists and researchers from the Relicta Foundation took time to verify its authenticity and confirm the exact location of the find. After careful analysis, they were able to determine its likely origin and purpose.

Standing just 5 inches tall (12 centimeters), the beige, hand-carved limestone figurine has a featureless face and two small legs. Its hips and breasts are exaggerated, leading archaeologists to believe it likely represents a female fertility goddess. It also shows signs of smoothing, suggesting it may have been handled frequently, or even rubbed like a good luck charm. Historians believe the ancient figure might have even been used in rituals or ceremonies for promoting fertility, survival, and prosperity.

Simple human-like figurines like this one have been found at many Neolithic sites dating back to the 6th and 5th millennia BCE, especially in regions south and southeast of the Carpathian Mountains. Similar pieces have also been discovered in places like Anatolia and southern Europe. But the Venus of Kołobrzeg is the first of its kind discovered in Poland. Most Neolithic Venus figurines were made of clay, while stone versions—carved from sandstone, marble, or limestone—are much less common.

The Venus of Kołobrzeg is now housed in the permanent collection of the Polish Arms Museum (Muzeum Oręża Polskiego) in Kołobrzeg, where it stands out as one of the oldest and most distinctive artifacts in the museum’s archive. “I can safely say that this is the find of the century,” Aleksander Ostasz, the museum’s director said. “What was discovered…is truly something phenomenal, extraordinary. It absolutely pushes the boundaries of our history of Kolobrzeg.”

Check out photos of the fascinating Venus of Kołobrzeg figurine below.

Archaeologists in Poland have announced the discovery of a rare 6,000-year-old limestone figurine, found by a farmer near the city of Kołobrzeg.

Dating back to the Neolithic era, the artifact—named the Venus of Kołobrzeg—is believed to have been created by early agricultural settlers along the Baltic coast.

Historians believe the ancient figure might have even been used in rituals or ceremonies for celebrating fertility and promoting survival and prosperity.

Muzeum Oręża Polskiego w Kołobrzegu: Website | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Polish Arms Museum / Muzeum Oręża Polskiego w Kołobrzegu.

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READ: Polish Farmer Discovers 6,000-Year-Old Neolithic Fertility Figurine

Photo: Jebulon via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

We're not the only society that enjoys fast food.  According to a recent study in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, ancient Romans surprisingly consumed a form of fast food, though nothing like today’s franchised favorites such as hamburgers or fried chicken. The discovery was born from research conducted in the ancient Roman city of Pollentia, located on the island of Mallorca in present-day Spain. Researcher Alejandro Valenzuela, from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, analyzed faunal (animal) remains discovered in a 13-foot-deep urban cesspit.

Pollentia, once a port turned commercial hub, featured a system of tabernae, or small shops and workshops, including popinae—taverns that served food and drink much like modern bars. One popina, identified in part by six embedded amphorae in its bar counter, was connected to an underground drainage system that emptied into the cesspit.

This 13-foot-deep sewage dump contained urban artifacts like ceramics—used to date the pit to as early as 10 BCE—alongside bones from mammals, fish, and birds. Among the bird remains, small thrush skeletal remnants were notably the most abundant and thus became the object of Valenzuela’s study.

Bird remains are rarely well-preserved at archaeological sites, making it difficult for researchers to determine how birds contributed to the diets of ancient Mallorcans. However, the distinct composition of the thrush remains began to paint a clearer picture. While many skulls and breastbones were found, bones from the wings, legs, and upper chest—the fleshiest parts—were virtually absent.

Valenzuela concluded that thrushes were likely a staple in the local diet and urban food system based on this finding. Further corroborating his interpretation are historical sources that describe Roman game hunters trapping songbirds in large numbers, which were then sold to food vendors.

The idea that Mallorcan consumption of small birds was proto-fast food comes from how the birds were prepared. Valenzuela said the thrushes’ breasts were flattened to allow for rapid grilling or pan-frying in oil, which helped keep the meat tender. Broken ceramics in the cesspit suggest that thrushes might have been served on plates. However, the street food theory is supported by the birds’ small size and the setting, which also indicates the possibility that they were served on skewers or sticks for easier eating.

This research not only deepens understanding of the dynamics of historic food consumption but also emphasizes a fascinating similarity between modern times and ancient Roman culture through a shared love for flavorful street food on the go.

Ancient Romans in Pollentia, a Mallorcan commercial hub, likely consumed small birds as an early form of fast food.

Photo: Olaf Tausch via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Researcher Alejandro Valenzuela found mostly thrush remains in a 13-foot cesspit connected to a tavern.

Photo: Yann Forget via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

The birds were likely grilled or fried and served on skewers, emphasizing how quick, convenient food has been found desirable across centuries.

Photo: Maarten Heerlien via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Sources: Urban Consumption of Thrushes in the Early Roman City of Pollentia, Mallorca (Spain); Roman-era ‘fast food' discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca

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READ: Research Reveals That Ancient Romans Liked to Eat Fast Food Just Like We Do

The Great Hypostyle Hall, the Temple of Khnum (“The Esna Temple”), Esna, Egypt. (Photo: Elias Rovielo via Flickr, CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0)

A 2,000-year-old temple in Egypt, buried under centuries of soot and forgotten history, has recently been revealed to contain shockingly well-preserved artwork and inscriptions rich in religious significance following extensive restoration efforts.

Located in the heart of Esna—a city in Upper Egypt—the Temple of Khnum was built in honor of the lesser-known local deity Khnum, a ram-headed god of creation, and his wife, Neith.

Originally constructed during the Ptolemaic period, the temple is most notable for its remarkably intact sandstone pronaos, or vestibule. Although work on the pronaos began in the early Roman period, its construction and decoration spanned centuries. The vestibule features six rows of four towering columns, each now revealing details long hidden by time.

Over time, after the temple presumably fell out of use, the pronaos was repurposed, serving as a shelter and a storehouse for cotton and ammunition. The site encountered significant degradation: fires lit inside blackened the ceilings with soot, sediment gradually buried the reliefs, and locals dismantled parts of the main sanctuary to build nearby canals.

Restoration work began in the 1950s under Egyptologist Serge Sauneron. However, the project halted after his death, and his documentation of the inscriptions ultimately wasn’t translated. Serious conservation didn’t resume until 2018 when the University of Tübingen partnered with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) to launch a joint initiative.

The Egyptian-German team, tasked with both conservation and complete photographic documentation of the site, has cleaned the pronaos’s 18 interior columns, seven ceiling bays, and sections of the southern and western walls using distilled water and alcohol. As a result of the restoration, MoTA conservators exposed images and nearly 200 vividly painted inscriptions that had previously been obscured by dirt, damage, and dust.

Among their discoveries were hieroglyphs containing information about the cult of the gods of Esna that had remained unknown until then, as well as depictions showing how ancient Egyptians worshipped their gods and understood the universe through the astronomical and astrological symbols on the ceiling. In addition to inscriptions on the columns detailing various festivals and rituals, as well as hymns dedicated to the gods, particularly Khnum, the temple also holds narratives honoring Khnum’s role in creation.

With further study, scholars also found that the scenes and inscriptions throughout the temple are intentionally interconnected despite being decorated centuries apart. According to the specialists, there’s a possibility that a general master plan was developed after the completion of the pronaos to guide the decoration of the walls, columns, and ceilings.

In the coming years, the restoration team plans to conserve the inner pronaos fully, with significant progress already made on the ceiling, architraves, and several columns protected from birds. Should support and funding continue, the project will be completed within two to three years, marking a milestone in preserving the site for future generations.

The Temple of Khnum, located in Esna, Egypt, has recently undergone extensive restoration and revealed vivid artwork and inscriptions.

The Temple of Khnum (“The Esna Temple”), Esna, Egypt. (Photo: Elias Rovielo via Flickr, CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0)

Once damaged, dirtied, and repurposed, the restored sandstone pronaos now reveals detailed hieroglyphs about the deity Khnum and ancient rituals.

Column capitals, Esna, Temple of Khnum. (Photo: Panegyrics of Granovetter via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 2.0)

Scholars believe the temple’s decorations, though added over centuries, followed a unified master plan.

Temple of Khnum in Esna, Egypt. (Photo: Elias Rovielo via Flickr, CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0)

Sources: Cleaning a Millennium of Sand and Soot Egyptologists Reveal Ancient Creation Myth in Exquisite Artwork; An Egyptian Temple Reborn; Conservation of the Temple of Esna

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READ: Restoration Uncovers Stunning Art and Inscriptions of 2,000-Year-Old Egyptian Temple

 

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In February 2025, a British-Egyptian archaeological expedition uncovered the tomb of King Thutmose II in Luxor. The discovery marked the first of its kind in over a century and offered critical insight into the ancient king. Now, on the heels of that remarkable find, another archaeological team has unearthed yet another treasure in Luxor: 3,000-year-old tombs honoring three prominent statesmen.

According to a statement issued by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Instagram, the tombs were located in the Dra’Abul El Naga area on the West Bank of Luxor and date back to the New Kingdom era (1539–1077 BCE). Each tomb also features inscriptions, which allowed the team to identify the names and roles of the three statesmen. One tomb, for instance, belongs to a man named Amun-em-Ipet, from the Ramesside period, who worked in the estate of Amun. Although much of its structure is destroyed, the tomb still contains a small courtyard that leads to an entryway and a square hall, ending with a niche. Depictions of funeral furniture carriers, a banquet, and inscriptions are also still visible.

The other two tombs date back to the 18th Dynasty, with one belonging to Baki, a granary supervisor, and the other to “ES,” who held prominent positions as a supervisor of the Temple of Amun and mayor of the Northern Oases, per the statement. Inside Baki’s tomb is a courtyard that leads to a main entrance, a transverse hall, and an unfinished chamber that includes a burial well. Es’s tomb has a similar layout, with a small courtyard with a well followed by a main entrance and a transverse hall leading to an incomplete hall.

The discovery was praised by Sherif Fathy, the minister of tourism and antiques, as a “significant addition to Egypt’s rich archaeological record,” ultimately boosting its “position on the global cultural tourism map.” He also emphasized that the archaeological team was led entirely by Egyptians, reflecting their “expertise and capabilities.” Dr. Mohammed Ismail Khaled, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, added that further cleaning and study of the inscriptions and burial shafts are currently underway, and that the discovery “underscores the richness and diversity of the tombs” at Dra’Abul El Naga.

To learn more about the three tombs and upcoming archaeological missions, visit the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities website.

An all-Egyptian archeological team uncovered three tombs belonging to prominent statesmen in Luxor, marking yet another remarkable discovery in the area.

The tomb of Ramses III, featuring its pillared hall and descent to lower level, as an example of an ancient Egyptian tomb. (Photo: R Prazeres via Wikimedia Commons, CC 4.0)

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: Website | Instagram

Sources: The Egyptian archaeological mission working in the Draa Abul Naga area on the West Bank of Luxor has discovered three tombs dating back to the New Kingdom; Egyptian archaeologists discover three tombs in Luxor; Ancient tombs more than 3,000 years old unearthed in Egypt

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Photo:Unknown Author via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Digging for buried treasure is a nearly universal make-believe activity for kids. But for a four-year-old in Essex, England, it became a reality. In May 2009, James Hyatt was playing with his father’s metal detector when the machine began furiously beeping. What they found when they dug deeper into the earth was a priceless golden reliquary, believed to have been made over 500 years ago in the 16th century.

James’ father, Jason Hyatt, recounted that they were walking around a field in Hockley when “all of a sudden [they] got a buzz from the metal detector, quite a strong buzz.” Hyatt went on to say that they “dug six to eight inches down and lo and behold…a flash of gold.” After moving the dirt around, they brought this flash of gold up to the surface, revealing it to be a beautiful, diamond-shaped locket. It was inscribed with images of Christ and a female religious figure (possibly Mary or St. Helena), as well as the names of the Magi.

The crafted details of the Hockley pendant weren’t immediately decipherable at the time of its discovery nor was the locket mechanism functional. After an inquest, the pendant was officially declared treasure, and the British Museum acquired it in 2012, in keeping with the Treasure Act of 1996. The locket was speculated to have a worth of up to 2.5 million British pounds.

Conservation work by Marilyn Hockey of the museum later revealed more insight into the mysterious locket. Weighing in at about a third of an ounce, with a gold content of up to 73%, the pendant was likely “worn by a wealthy individual as a discreet statement of piety” and “reveals the dual nature of religious jewelry in the early 16th century, as a decoration and a holy amulet,” according to an object entry authored by the British Museum. The pendant features engravings of holy imagery and names, and would have likely been filled with colorful painted enamel.

Through Hockey’s conservation efforts, the locket was also opened again for the first time in centuries. All that remained in the back panel’s cavity was some fibers of flax, but the size of the locket would have ostensibly allowed for some fragment of a relic to reside within, perhaps a piece of the True Cross. The True Cross is believed to have been the actual cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, and is thought to have been transported to Constantinople from the Holy Land by St Helena.

The Hockley Pendant now lives in the British Museum’s permanent collection, and was featured in a couple exhibitions since its acquisition in 2010. According to the rules of the Treasure Act, James Hyatt and the owner of the land that this priceless locket was found in shared in a percentage of the sale. What started as a four-year-old’s game of treasure hunt ended with a real-life golden find fit for a museum: proof that sometimes, childhood dreams really do strike gold.

In 2009, a four-year-old-boy was playing with his father's metal detector in a field in Hockley, England, when the device began to buzz.

Photo: Couperfield/Depositphotos (Not an actual photo of the event.)

James and Jason Hyatt dug less than a foot into the ground and found real-life buried treasure: a diamond-shaped golden locket.

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Believed to be worth up to 2.5 million British pounds, the pendant was acquired by the British Museum in 2012 and underwent conservation efforts.

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The locket features religious images and names engraved on its surfaces, and is believed to have housed a fragment of the True Cross.

Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sources: reliquary; pendant entry by the British Museum; The Hockley Pendant; Boy, four, unearths 16th Century gold pendant in Essex

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Photo: Yoli Schwartz, srael Antiquities Authority

In northwestern Negev, the 1,600-year-old Be’er Shema mosaic has been unveiled to the public for the first time. Dating back to the Byzantine period (324–638 CE), the mosaic has since undergone significant conservation efforts and will now be on permanent display at the Merhavim Regional Council headquarters.

The mosaic was originally discovered in 1990, nestled inside a monastery near Kibbutz Urim and the Gaza Strip. Rich in detail and vibrant in color, the composition is primarily organized around 55 medallions, each of which include individual motifs such as mythological scenes, tableaus from daily life, exotic animals, and baskets of fruit. According to the archaeological team, these images are pieced together with tiny stones, glass, and pottery, a testament to the artifact’s tremendous artistry. Even Shaike Lender, the lead archaeologist for the site’s first excavation, believes the mosaic was created by a “true artist.” Regardless, it inevitably decayed throughout the past millennium.

​​“Over the years, the mosaic floor’s state of preservation has deteriorated. Against this background, it was rediscovered, treated, and strengthened, and moved from its original location to the council compound in Merhavim,” Ami Shahar, head of the Conservation Department at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in a statement. “Now, it is protected from agricultural and development work, and is finally being displayed to the public.”

In addition to the Be’er Shema mosaic, the monastery also contained a wine press and storage facilities filled with jars, suggesting that the monastic order may have produced and sold wine to sustain itself. After all, Horbat Be’er Shema, the town in which the monastery is located, once served as a resting stop along an ancient trade route connecting Halutza in the Negev Desert to the port of Gaza.

“This mosaic is a living testament to life in the Negev 1,500 years ago,” Shai Hajaj, Merhavim’s Regional Council Head, said during an unveiling ceremony on Sunday, May 25. “It will become a focal point for education and tourism, connecting our past with the present and future.”

Eli Escusido, the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), added: “This site will serve as an open and archaeological garden with explanatory signage and visitor facilities, drawing attention to [this] vital area.”

To learn more about the mosaic, visit the Israel Antiquities Authority website.

In northwestern Negev, near Kibbutz Urim and the Gaza Strip, the 1,600-year-old Be’er Shema mosaic has been unveiled to the public for the first time.

Photo: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

Photo: Nachshon Sneh, Israel Antiquities Authority

The mosaic was originally discovered in 1990, in a state of deterioration, but has since been restored and is now permanently on display in the Merhavim Regional Council headquarters.

Photo: Nachshon Sneh, Israel Antiquities Authority

Photo: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

All images via the Israel Antiquities Authority Press Office.

Sources: A spectacular 1,600-year-old mosaic, one of the most impressive ever discovered in Israel, was unveiled to the public in the Western Negev; Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in Western Negev; Stunning 1,600-year-old Byzantine mosaic unveiled in the Negev Desert of Israel

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Photo: pichetw/Depositphotos

A French Egyptologist has deciphered hidden messages on a 3,000-year-old obelisk created during the reign of Ramesses II.  Covered in hieroglyphics, it was commissioned for the Luxor Temple, but for nearly 200 years, it has called Paris its home. Since 1836, the Egyptian artifact has sat on Place de Concorde, after being gifted to France by the Ottoman Egyptians.

There, it is admired by tourists and residents alike, including Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier. Adept at reading hieroglyphics, he would study the obelisk during strolls through the neighborhood. Much of the writing was standard and indicated the massive structure's location at the portico of the Luxor Temple, but something unusual also caught Olette-Pelletier's eye.

He noticed several crypto-hieroglyphs woven into the surface, a detail that was highly intriguing. Crypto-hieroglyphs are a form of writing that includes puzzles and wordplay. First discovered in the 1950s by Canon Étienne Drioton, this form of writing was aimed at the intellectual elite. Only a few scholars can read this specialized writing, and luckily, Olette-Pelletier is one of them. Interestingly, as he began to look for confirmation of his observations, he could not find any research. So, he started his own investigation.

His initial sightings were done with binoculars, but to get confirmation, Olette-Pelletier would need to get up close. He had his opportunity in 2021, thanks to restoration efforts in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. After obtaining permission to go up on the scaffolding, he became the first scholar to examine the obelisk at close range in over a century. What he saw confirmed his original observations—crypto-hieroglyphs were indeed woven into the surface of the obelisk. In the end, he counted seven in total.

He will publish his full discovery of the crypto-hieroglyphs in ENiM later this year, but recently gave Artnet a preview of his findings. According to Olette-Pelletier, one of the markings seeks to solidify Ramesses as a leader by tying his ancestry to the gods. The symbols, located at the top of the obelisk, would have been visible to elite nobles who arrived by boat to attend the annual Opet festival. By including these messages, the pharaoh transformed the obelisk into a powerful propaganda tool.

“The use of hieroglyphic cryptography allows us to provide a new reading of pharaonic texts,” shares Olette-Pelletier. “It’s an example proving that Egyptology still holds a lot of things waiting to be discovered.”

A French Egyptologist deciphered hidden messages on a 3,000-year-old obelisk that sits in Paris.

Photo: anshar/Depositphotos

The obelisk was designed to sit at the Luxor Temple during the reign of Ramesses II.

Photo: antonaleksenko82.gmail.com/Depositphotos

Source: Egyptologist Uncovers Hidden Messages on Paris’s Iconic Obelisk; Egyptologist Reveals Mysterious Messages Hidden in the Hieroglyphics on a 3,000-Year-Old Obelisk

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READ: Egyptologist Discovers Secret Messages on 3,000-Year-Old Obelisk

Photo: The Kress Foundation via The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 Unported License)

With all the buzz around Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey, one question comes to mind: what about the Iliad? Although the epic is one of the most famous and widely studied pieces of literature in the Western world, it hasn’t been adapted as much or had as much visual interpretation compared to other classics. There have been artworks that showcase specific scenes or moments from the Iliad, but few attempts have been made in this day and age to showcase the epic in its entirety.

So, if the Iliad is such a compelling piece of literature, why are there not that many visual adaptations for it? This is likely due to the classic's sheer length and complexity, which would extend long past appropriate run times for visual media like film or television. Instead, we should perhaps look to antiquity–more specifically, a nearly 2,000-year-old artifact that does what modern creatives may be intimidated by.

The Ambrosian Iliad, also known as Ilias Picta, is one of three surviving illuminated manuscripts from antiquity depicting classical literature, and the only one to recount Homer’s epic. The manuscript was created in the late fifth or early sixth century C.E., either in Constantinople or Alexandria, and has enraptured audiences since its creation. It contains 52 different illustrations accompanying the epic’s text, in what scholars believe to be one of the earliest examples of manuscript illumination.

Many of the illustrations show the names of places and characters, but some are perhaps more “illuminating” than others. As Kurt Weitzmann writes in his book, Late Antique and Early Christian Book Illumination, the illustrations also “show a considerable diversity of compositional schemes, from single combat to complex battle scenes.” The breadth and variety of these depictions, in Weitzmann’s mind, imply that Homer’s epic had already accrued an extensive history and undergone multiple stages of development by the time the Ilias Picta came into fruition.

The Ambrosian Iliad’s illustrations depict the epic in all its phases, from early disagreements between Agamemnon and Achilles to iconic scenes like Patrcolus’ sacrifice and Hector’s death at the hands of Achilles. The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database has scans of all these exquisite drawings on view on its website. Other visual interpretations of Homer’s works can also be found there, from a selection of more recent periods ranging from the 15th to even the 19th centuries.

As these classical epics make their rounds in the cycles of reinterpretation and reimagining, the Ambrosian Iliad is an intriguing reminder that some of the most powerful visual adaptations of these ancient stories may already lie in the past, waiting to be (re)discovered.

To see all the illustrations from the Ambrosian Iliad, visit the Warburg Institute Iconographic Database.

While Homer's Iliad is a classic in Western literature and antiquity, visual adaptations that capture the enormity and complexity of the epic are few and far between.

Photo: The Kress Foundation via The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 Unported License)

Enter the Ambrosian Iliad, an illuminated manuscript from the turn of the sixth century that features 52 illustrations alongside Homer's text.

Photo: The Kress Foundation via The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database
(Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 Unported License)

Scholars believe the Ambrosian Iliad, also known as the Ilias Picta, represents early origins for manuscript illumination as we know it today.

Photo: The Kress Foundation via The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database
(Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 Unported License)

The illustrations depict complex scenes and iconic moments from the epic. You can view them on the Warburg Institute Iconographic Database website.

Photo: The Kress Foundation via The Warburg Institute Iconographic Database
(Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 3.0 Unported License)

Sources: The Only Illustrated Manuscript of Homer’s Iliad from Antiquity

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READ: This Is the Only Illuminated Manuscript From Antiquity Depicting Homer’s ‘Iliad’