15 Incredible Old Human Creations That Stood The Test Of Time
These things stood the test of time and continue to impress us even hundreds of years after their creation.
Independently testedUnbiased Demilked scoreFree to implementTools included
Even though it takes immense skill to create something that impresses people, it takes even more than that to create something that will leave people in awe ages after creation. And even though a lot of these impressive things have been lost to time, some of them, sometimes by sheer luck, managed to survive until this day.
Today we have prepared you a collection of things that stood the test of time and continue to impress us even hundreds of years after their creation. From intricate medieval armors to ancient palette's that still have paint in them, see some amazing old human creations that haven't been lost to time in the gallery below!
Image source: Unknown
This intricate armor, called the Hercules Armor, was made for Archduke Maximilian II all the way back in 1555. The engravings on the armor depict various mythological scenes, and perfectly showcase the skill level of medieval French armorers.
Image source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Even though at first glance this painter's palette doesn't look like anything special, it actually dates all the way back to around 1390–1352 BCE! It was carved out of a single piece of ivory, and the most fascinating thing about it is the fact that it still has some paint left inside
Image source: Unknown
This golden ring with a carnelian cat sitting on top was created in Egypt around 2,700 years ago. The inner part of the ring also contains a carving of the Eye of Horus, meaning that it was probably used as a protective charm.
Image source: Wartski
This impressive ring, carved out of a single piece of sapphire, is thought to have belonged to Roman Emperor Caligula, who reigned from 37 to 41 AD. The face carved on top is most likely that of Caesonia's, Caligula's fourth wife. The ring was sold in an auction back in 2019, and even though the final bid wasn't officially revealed, rumors say that it was somewhere about $600,000.
Image source: GREECE HIGH DEFINITION
This old stone bridge located in Greece, named the Arkadiko bridge, might not look like much, but it's actually one of the oldest bridges that survived to this day. It was built around 3,300 years ago and was initially built for chariots traveling between the cities of Tiryns and Epidaurus.
Image source: Rare Historical Photos
When the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was discovered back in 1922, it still had a perfectly preserved knot tied on the door. Inside the tomb, archaeologists found various pieces of jewelry, weapons, and clothing that stood untouched for over 3,000 years.
Image source: Unknown
These colorful leather sandals were found by archaeologists in the Altai mountains, and are considered to be one of the best-preserved shoes ever found. They were most likely worn by a Scythian woman somewhere around 300–290 BCE.
Image source: Unknown
This custom-made book pistol was created for Francesco Morosini, the Duke of Venice, sometime in the 17th century. The special mechanism of the gun allowed it to be concealed inside of the book and fire it while the book was closed.
Image source: Museo Cappella Sansevero
The "Veiled Christ" is a marble sculpture created by Neapolitan artist Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753. What makes the sculpture especially impressive is the fact that it looks like it's covered by a transparent veil while in reality all of it is carved out of marble.
Image source: Washington Map Society
This globe, carved on an ostrich egg, was created back somewhere around year 1510.
Image source: DÉJÀ VU
The Hathor Temple, built over 2,000 years ago, is the main temple of the Dendera Temple complex, and is considered to be one of the most perfectly-preserved temples in all of Egypt
Image source: Schloss Ambras Innsbruck
This wooden sculpture depicting Death as a skeleton was created by sculptor Hans Leinberger in the early 16th century.
Image source: Matthew Kirkland
The Prague Astronomical Clock is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world, and despite being over 600 years old, still remains perfectly operational even to this day.
Image source: Unknown
This perfectly-preserved woman's leather shoe was found inside a well in Saalburg, Germany. It is said to be around 2,000 years old and its intricate details suggest that it was worn by a wealthy woman.
Image source: Unknown
This piece of Roman clay, dating back around 2,000 years, was discovered in the French town of Vaison-la-Romaine, and contains a perfectly-preserved footprint of a child.
#1 The Detail Of This Incredible Armor Made In 1555
Image source: Unknown
This intricate armor, called the Hercules Armor, was made for Archduke Maximilian II all the way back in 1555. The engravings on the armor depict various mythological scenes, and perfectly showcase the skill level of medieval French armorers.
#2 A 3,400-Year-Old Artist's Palette Found In Egypt
Image source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Even though at first glance this painter's palette doesn't look like anything special, it actually dates all the way back to around 1390–1352 BCE! It was carved out of a single piece of ivory, and the most fascinating thing about it is the fact that it still has some paint left inside
#3 An Ancient Egyptian Ring With A Red Carnelian Cat Dating Back To Around 1070–712 BCE
Image source: Unknown
This golden ring with a carnelian cat sitting on top was created in Egypt around 2,700 years ago. The inner part of the ring also contains a carving of the Eye of Horus, meaning that it was probably used as a protective charm.
#4 A Ring That Possibly Belonged To Caligula Could Be Around 2,000 Years Old
Image source: Wartski
This impressive ring, carved out of a single piece of sapphire, is thought to have belonged to Roman Emperor Caligula, who reigned from 37 to 41 AD. The face carved on top is most likely that of Caesonia's, Caligula's fourth wife. The ring was sold in an auction back in 2019, and even though the final bid wasn't officially revealed, rumors say that it was somewhere about $600,000.
#5 Built Between 1300 And 1190 BCE, The Arkadiko Bridge Is Still In Use Today
Image source: GREECE HIGH DEFINITION
This old stone bridge located in Greece, named the Arkadiko bridge, might not look like much, but it's actually one of the oldest bridges that survived to this day. It was built around 3,300 years ago and was initially built for chariots traveling between the cities of Tiryns and Epidaurus.
#6 The Cord Sealing King Tut's Shrine Was Broken 3,245 Years After It Was Tied
Image source: Rare Historical Photos
When the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun was discovered back in 1922, it still had a perfectly preserved knot tied on the door. Inside the tomb, archaeologists found various pieces of jewelry, weapons, and clothing that stood untouched for over 3,000 years.
#7 2,400-Year-Old Shoes Found In The Altai Mountains
Image source: Unknown
These colorful leather sandals were found by archaeologists in the Altai mountains, and are considered to be one of the best-preserved shoes ever found. They were most likely worn by a Scythian woman somewhere around 300–290 BCE.
#8 A 17th-Century Book Survived To Tell A Tale Of How It Became A Weapon
Image source: Unknown
This custom-made book pistol was created for Francesco Morosini, the Duke of Venice, sometime in the 17th century. The special mechanism of the gun allowed it to be concealed inside of the book and fire it while the book was closed.
#9 The "Veiled Christ" Sculpted By Giuseppe Sanmartino In 1753
Image source: Museo Cappella Sansevero
The "Veiled Christ" is a marble sculpture created by Neapolitan artist Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753. What makes the sculpture especially impressive is the fact that it looks like it's covered by a transparent veil while in reality all of it is carved out of marble.
#10 A Globe Made From An Ostrich Egg Survived Half Of A Millenium
Image source: Washington Map Society
This globe, carved on an ostrich egg, was created back somewhere around year 1510.
#11 A 2,000-Year-Old Temple Is Still Standing Today And Is In Really Good Condition
Image source: DÉJÀ VU
The Hathor Temple, built over 2,000 years ago, is the main temple of the Dendera Temple complex, and is considered to be one of the most perfectly-preserved temples in all of Egypt
#12 A Wooden Sculpture Depicting Death Made In 1520
Image source: Schloss Ambras Innsbruck
This wooden sculpture depicting Death as a skeleton was created by sculptor Hans Leinberger in the early 16th century.
#13 An Astronomical Clock In Prague, Czech Republic Is Still Operating Since 1410
Image source: Matthew Kirkland
The Prague Astronomical Clock is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world, and despite being over 600 years old, still remains perfectly operational even to this day.
#14 A Well-Preserved Shoe Worn By A Roman 2,000 Years Ago
Image source: Unknown
This perfectly-preserved woman's leather shoe was found inside a well in Saalburg, Germany. It is said to be around 2,000 years old and its intricate details suggest that it was worn by a wealthy woman.
#15 A Child's Footprint In A 2,000-Year-Old Clay Tile
Image source: Unknown
This piece of Roman clay, dating back around 2,000 years, was discovered in the French town of Vaison-la-Romaine, and contains a perfectly-preserved footprint of a child.DE
Written by
Demilked Editorial
SaaS Review Specialist · Demilked
With 5+ years in the creator, entertainment, and publishing spaces, Demilked shortlists, reviews, and ranks leading tools that actually make your life easier.