Amazing Archaeological Discoveries (18 pics)

1

This loaf of bread was baked at a bakery in Pompeii the morning Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the city in volcanic ash. That was all the way back in 79 CE, so almost 2,000 years ago!

2

These are the oldest pair of Levi's 501 jeans in the world, dating all the way back to 1879.

3

If you're wondering how they could be in such fantastic condition, you should know the backside is a little more worn.

4

This 2000-year-old Roman container of face cream was found on the south bank of the Thames river — and still has the finger marks of its last owner!

5

We all brush our teeth, right? Well, so did people 350 or so years ago in England — they used this toothbrush, dental powder, and tongue scraper.

6

This is a surviving newspaper ad from 1865, posted by a young man looking for a wife. Some of his selling points included having "a good set of teeth" and "a two-year-old bull."

7

This Swedish warship — known as Vasa — sank on its maiden voyage all the way back in 1628. Incredibly, it was salvaged in such impressive condition that it's now known as the best-preserved 17th-century ship in the world.

8

This Corinthian Helmet was worn by a Greek soldier during the Battle of Marathon in 490 CE.

9

And this is a first-class menu that was on the actual voyage! A passenger put it in her purse after finishing her lunch, then later made it to safety in a lifeboat.

10

This one might shock you, but they had prosthetic hands (like this impressively intact one) 500 years ago!

11

This is St. Kevin's Church — located in Wicklow, Ireland — and was built in the 12th century. It still stands nearly a thousand years later!

12

Below is the Terracota Army — a collection of 8,000 (yes, 8,000!) sculptures of soldiers that were buried in 211 BCE with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. The idea was that they would protect him during the afterlife.

13

Here's a closer look at one of the 2,200-year-old statues (plus some terracotta horses that accompanied the soldiers).

14

These ancient Roman sandals are around 2,000 years old, and look almost wearable today!

15

These Medieval-era shoes, meanwhile, have somehow survived from around 1200 CE.

16

These immaculate golden earrings are from Iran circa the 11th or 12th century.

17

This gold coin — featuring an image of second-century Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius — is 2,000 years old and looks better than some coins currently in circulation!