The catalog of the exhibition of Thracian gold is preceded by essays which present a picture of life in ancient Thrace.

The lands between Mesoamerica and the Central Andes are famed for the rich diversity of ancient cultures that inhabited them. Throughout this vast region, from about AD 700 until the sixteenth-century Spanish invasion, a rich and varied tradition of goldworking was practiced. The amount of gold produced and worn by native inhabitants was so great that Columbus dubbed the last New World shores he sailed as Costa Rica—the "Rich Coast." Despite the long-recognized importance of the region in its contribution to Pre-Columbian culture, very few books are readily available, especially in English, on these lands of gold. Gold and Power in Ancient Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia now fills that gap with eleven articles by leading scholars in the field. Issues of culture change, the nature of chiefdom societies, long-distance trade and transport, ideologies of value, and the technologies of goldworking are covered in these essays as are the role of metals as expressions and materializations of spiritual, political, and economic power. These topics are accompanied by new information on the role of stone statuary and lapidary work, craft and trade specialization, and many more topics, including a reevaluation of the concept of the "Intermediate Area." Collectively, the volume provides a new perspective on the prehistory of these lands and includes articles by Latin American scholars whose writings have rarely been published in English.

This lovely volume illustrates in color superb examples of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman jewelry. Major types of Greek and Etruscan jewelry from the seventh to the first centuries B.C. are well represented, along with a few Roman imperial works. In exquisite miniature, these ornaments reflect the stylistic history of more monumental art: they are sculptures on a small scale. Underneath the shining splendor these gold objects -- works originally meant to be worn by men and women as a sign of wealth and power in life -- lies a more fundamental meaning. Gold, a mysterious power, was a means for people to communicate with the gods who rule human life. The skill of the ancient goldsmith has never been equaled. Although the techniques used are for the most part understood, the virtuosity and intricacy of manufacture have vet to be duplicated.

The book presents the historical evolution of gold mining activities in the Egyptian and Nubian Desert (Sudan) from about 4000 BC until the Early Islamic Period (~800–1350 AD), subdivided into the main classical epochs including the Early Dynastic – Old and Middle Kingdoms – New Kingdom (including Kushitic) – Ptolemaic – Roman and Early Islamic. It is illustrated with many informative colour images, maps and drawings. An up to date comprehensive geological introduction gives a general overview on the gold production zones in the Eastern Desert of Egypt and northern (Nubian) Sudan, including the various formation processes of the gold bearing quartz veins mined in these ancient periods. The more than 250 gold production sites presented, are described both, from their archaeological (as far as surface inventory is concerned) and geological environmental conditions, resulting in an evolution scheme of prospection and mining methods within the main periods of mining activities. The book offers for the first time a complete catalogue of the many gold production sites in Egypt and Nubia under geological and archaeological aspects. It provides information about the importance of gold for the Pharaohs and the spectacular gold rush in Early Arab times.

Jewellery appeared worldwide during the early phases of civilisation, when man, through his belief in the existence of supernatural forces and magic, laid down the substrate of religion. In those times, and for many centuries after, jewellery was regarded as having the power to attract benign forces or to avert evil, functioning as a magical medium. Its association with metals was of decisive importance, not least with gold which, being imperishable and untarnishable, was the only metal charged of itself with supernatural properties. In time the human intellect put aside the magical character of jewellery, though it was never cast off completely. By the beginning of the first millennium BC, to which the works of Greek goldsmithing discussed in this book belong, jewellery already had a long tradition behind it. Its form was often affected by the religious and metaphysical concepts of the age, as is succinctly noted in the Introduction. The manufacture of Greek gold jewellery depended on the possibility of access to the precious metal, the sources of and the techniques of working which, interwoven with myth and lore, are examined in sub-chapters. The founding of the colonies at first and the Macedonian expansion later, brought the Greeks into contact with both supplies of the raw material and traditional centres of goldsmithing, from where they also received new ornament types. These they transmuted, giving them a Greek identity, eventually creating a common language of jewellery that spread from the northern shores of the Euxine Pontus to Egypt, and from Italy to Asia. The development of jewellery is examined by category and bears witness to the influence of those same historical factors as contributed to the development of major art in the Hellenic world. Greek goldsmiths often emulated its achievements, also endowing this genre of the so-called minor arts with unique masterpieces.

The pursuit of collecting ancient Roman coins creates a legacy rich in historical intrigue and a lasting store of wealth. Western, Middle Eastern, and North African civilizations are deeply rooted in what we remember as the Roman Empire. Today collectors, numismatic scholars, and history buffs are inspired by these little works of art.For thousands of collectors and investors, the contributions of Adam Crum to the world of rare and historical gold coins form a foundation that can assist a collector of any level. His countless published articles, many contributions to numismatic books, and his own authored books have entertained, inspired, and stimulated thousands of collectors for decades.In this book, Adam takes you on a historical journey from the beginnings of Julius Caesar's rule in 44 BC to the end of the Flavian Dynasty in 96 AD. I believe any reader interested in historically significant rarities will be inspired to seek out more in-depth tales that these coins rich in history have inspired. The amazing set highlighted in this little book is a beautiful example of a Twelve Caesars collection that can be assembled with patience and perseverance. Each coin within is a true rarity of museum quality and the entire collection is one in which a legacy can be formed.

While ancient Javanese bronze and ironwork have long elicited interest, there is a lesser-known yet equally fascinating aspect of the Indonesian island's history: gold artifacts, including jewelry, clothing accessories, statues, coins, and containers. Not only do these objects display exceptional craftsmanship, they also provide a significant source of information on Javanese society, culture, religion, economy, technology, and art from the 1st century BCE to 1500. This revised and expanded edition of the 1990 publication Old Javanese Gold celebrates Valerie and Hunter Thompson's 2007 gift of Javanese gold objects to the Yale University Art Gallery and the subsequent founding of the Department of Indo-Pacific Art. Along with entirely new photography and a fresh design, the book's essays have been updated to incorporate recent discoveries--including the Wonoboyo hoard, one of the most important gold hoards ever excavated in Southeast Asia. Distributed for the Yale University Art Gallery Exhibition Schedule: Yale University Art Gallery (03/25/11-08/14/11)