artifacts

Thrift stores see odd donations all the time, but staff at a shop in Chilliwack, British Columbia didn’t think much of a small bundle of metal pieces priced at around $20. They looked old, maybe decorative, maybe just miscellaneous hardware. Nothing suggested a major historical mystery—at least not yet.

The medieval period has left us a treasure trove of glittering relics, holy objects, and jaw-dropping manuscripts that fetch fortunes at auctions and sit behind glass in the world’s greatest museums. These artifacts are not just priceless for their artistry—they also carry stories of power, devotion, and intrigue. Below, we explore 20 of the most valuable medieval items in the world, where they are today, and what they’re worth. Grab your goblet, noble reader—it’s going to be a dazzling journey through the Middle Ages.

Ever wondered why some of the treasures the Victorians left behind are highly sought after? The queen's wedding gown, teapots, mirrors, bookcases, and more—these 11 artifacts reveal all you need to know.

For years, experts believed that humans couldn't have settled in the Americas until the Ice Age thawed, leaving much of the coastal world unaccounted for. But in 2017, a discovery shattered that narrative.