this-is-cool: The science fiction themed creations of Nick…

this-is-cool:

The science fiction themed creations of Nick Foreman – https://www.this-is-cool.co.uk/the-sci-fi-art-of-nick-foreman/

kristo-flowers:Sierra Nevada, Spain

kristo-flowers:

Sierra Nevada, Spain

A collection of rare species of animals and lush…

A collection of rare species of animals and lush plants, brought back from Thutmose III’s victorious campaigns against Asiatics, ca. 1465 BC. Detail of reliefs from the walls of the Botanical Garden next to the Festival Hall of Thutmose III in Karnak.

History and Ruins of Ancient Universities of India

Takshashila University :

Taxila as it is called today, Takshashila University established around 2700 years ago was home to over 10500 students where the students from all across the world used to come to attain specialization in over 64 different fields of study like vedas, grammar, philosophy, ayurveda, agriculture, surgery, politics, archery, warfare, astronomy, commerce, futurology, music, dance, etc. Famous graduates of this University include the ones like Chanakya, Panini, Charaka, Vishnu Sharma, Jivaka etc. This is the world’s oldest university.

Nalanda University :

Nalanda University was established by Shakradaya of Gupta dynasty in modern Bihar during early 5th century and flourished for 600 years till 12th century. Nalanda was the world’s first university to have residential quarters for both students and teachers. It also had large public lecture halls. Students from countries like Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Indonesia, Persia and Turkey came to study in this university.

The library of this university was the largest library of the ancient world and had thousands of volumes of manuscripts on various subjects like grammar, logic, literature, astrology, astronomy, and medicine. The library complex was called Dharmaganja, and had three large buildings: the Ratnasagara, the Ratnadadhi, and the Ratnaranjaka. Ratnadadhi was nine stories tall and stored the most sacred manuscripts including the Prajnaparamita Sutra and the Samajguhya.

Vikramashila University :

Vikramashila University was established by Dharmapala of Pala dynasty during late 8th century and flourished for 400 years till 12th century. It was located in the Bhagalpur district of modern day Bihar. It gave direct competition to Nalanda University with over 100 teachers and over 1000 students listed in this University. This university was well known for its specialized training on the subject of Tantra (Tantrism). One of the most popular graduates from this University was Atiśa Dipankara, a founder of the Sharma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism who also revived the Buddhism in Tibet.

Valabhi University :

Valabhi University was established in Saurashtra of modern Gujarat at around 6th century and it flourished for 600 years till 12th century. Chinese traveler Itsing who visited this university during the 7th century describes it as a great center of learning. Gunamati and Sthiramati, the two famous Buddhist scholars are said to have graduated from this University. This University was popular for its training in secular subjects and students from all over the country came to study in this University. Because of its high quality of education, graduates of this University were given higher executive posts.

Pushpagiri University :

Pushpagiri University was established in ancient Kalinga kingdom (modern day Odisha) and was spread across Cuttack and Jajpur districts. It was established in 3rd century and flourished for the next 800 years till 11th century. The university campus was spread across three adjoining hills – Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. This was one of the most prominent centers of higher education in ancient India along with the universities of Takshashila, Nalanda and Vikramashila. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Huien Tsang) visited this university in 639 CE. Lalitgiri is said to have been commissioned by early 2nd century BCE itself and is the oldest Buddhist establishments in the world. Recently a few images of Emperor Ashoka have been discovered here, and it has been suggested that the Pushpagiri University was established by Emperor Ashoka himself.

Odantapuri University :

Odantapuri University was established by Dharmapala of Pala dynasty during late 8th century in Magadha (which is in modern day Bihar) and flourished for 400 years till 12th century. The famous Acharya Sri Ganga who was a professor at the Vikramashila University was a graduate of this Odantapuri University. According to the ancient Tibetan records there were about 12,000 students studying at this University. Ancient Tibetan texts mention this as one among the five great Universities of its time, the other four being Vikramashila, Nalanda, Somapura and Jagaddala Universities – all located in ancient India.

Somapura University :

Somapura Mahavihara was established by Dharmapala of Pala dynasty during late 8th century in Bengal and flourished for 400 years till 12th century. The University spread over 27 acres of land of which the main complex was 21 acres was one of the largest of its kind. It was a major center of learning for Bauddha Dharma (Buddhism), Jina Dharma (Jainism) and Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). Even today one can find ornamental terracotta on its outer walls depicting the influence of these three traditions.

~ Codex-Style Vase with Mythological Scene. Date: ca. 7th or 8th…

~ Codex-Style Vase with Mythological Scene.

Date: ca. 7th or 8th century

Geography: Mexico or Guatemala, Mesoamerica

Culture: Maya

Medium: Ceramic

~ Aphrodite. Date: A.D. 2nd century Place of…

~ Aphrodite.

Date: A.D. 2nd century

Place of origin: Italy

Medium: Marble

~ String of beads with amulets in gold and semi-precious…

~ String of beads with amulets in gold and semi-precious stones.

Date: 2055-1650 B.C.

Place of origin: Thebes

Period/culture: Middle Kingdom

Medium: cowrie shell, electrum, silver, lapis lazuli, feldspar, amethyst, cornelian, glass.

~ Left Hand of a Colossal Amida Buddha. Attributed to:…

~ Left Hand of a Colossal Amida Buddha.

Attributed to: Kaikei (active ca. 1183-1236) 

Date: first quarter 13th century

Place of origin: East Asia, Japan

Period: Kamakura period (1185-1333)

the-barnes-art-collection: Young Woman with Rose (Jeune fille à…

the-barnes-art-collection:

Young Woman with Rose (Jeune fille à la rose) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Barnes Foundation

Medium: Oil on canvas

Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia), Collection Gallery, Room 07, East Wall

https://collection.barnesfoundation.org/objects/5234/

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: The Temptation and Expulsion, 1508,…

Sistine Chapel Ceiling: The Temptation and Expulsion, 1508, Michelangelo Buonarroti

Medium: fresco

Entry into Jerusalem (Fragment), 1308, Duccio di…

Entry into Jerusalem (Fragment), 1308, Duccio di Buoninsegna

Medium: wood, tempera

Strip, Islamic ArtMedium: Silk, cotton, metal threadAnonymous…

Strip, Islamic Art

Medium: Silk, cotton, metal thread

Anonymous Gift, 1949

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/450970

Disc with sphinxes and winged bulls, Ancient Near Eastern…

Disc with sphinxes and winged bulls, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Medium: Bronze

Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1955

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324439

met-medieval-art: Hexagonal Jug, Medieval ArtMedium: Moulded…

met-medieval-art:

Hexagonal Jug, Medieval Art

Medium: Moulded glass

Mr. and Mrs. Isacc D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/463968

ariweinklephotography:Red and blue.

ariweinklephotography:

Red and blue.

Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar) by Painter of London E 342,…

Terracotta Nolan neck-amphora (jar) by Painter of London E 342, Greek and Roman Art

Medium: Terracotta

Rogers Fund, 1906

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/247281

Scaraboid, Egyptian ArtMedium: Glazed steatiteRogers Fund and…

Scaraboid, Egyptian Art

Medium: Glazed steatite

Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/545710

Textile Fragment with Horses, Islamic ArtMedium: Wool, cotton;…

Textile Fragment with Horses, Islamic Art

Medium: Wool, cotton; taqueté

Rogers Fund, 1948

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/450752