By Francesca Lungarotti
The human desire for knowledge and the thirst to learn from the past are perhaps more necessary now than in any time in the past.
Archaeological discoveries, excavations and the revelation of wonderful worlds and civilisations of the past documented through the photographic medium that remains the most powerful means of visual narration show a new and continuously changing face for cities, monuments and landscapes.
Discovery of the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings Credit: World History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Egypt, Giza Necropolis, hassan ali extracts the half bust of the statue seeshan nefer, 1967. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Rome, worker dusts off amphora finds near the colosseum, 1960. Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Kom Ombo’, November 1838. Credit: Ann Ronan Picture Library/Photo12/Universal Images Group 
Roman amphitheater at Palmyra ca. 1950-1955. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
Roman remains at Palmyra ca. 1950-1955. Credit: HUM Images/Universal Images Group 
Syria, Palmyra, Ancient Ruins Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Syria, Palmyra, Ancient Ruins Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group 
Crocodile god Sobek, Kom Ombo, Egypt Credit: Bildagentur-online/Schoening/Universal Images Group 
Crocodile god Sobek, Kom Ombo, Egypt Credit: Bildagentur-online/Schoening/Universal Images Group 
Syria, The Roman ruins of Palmyra Credit: Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group
Historical photography can document and convey exact moments in which discoveries took place. In UIG’s diverse and expansive historical collection, we cover many key moments and places – from the wonderful temple of Kom Ombo dedicated to Crocodile God Sobek on the Nile to Palmyra Now and Then and the excavations of past and present Rome.
Explore UIG’s historical collections to learn more about our ever changing world.
Africa. Egypt. Necropolis Of Tebe. Deir El-medina. The Site Of The Discovery Of The Tomb Of Kha And His Wife Merit. 1906. Credit: Touring Club Italiano/Universal Images Group 
Syria: Castle and Great Colonnade, Palmyra Credit: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group 
Africa. Libya. Sabratha. Archaeological Excavations. 1920. Credit: Touring Club Italiano/Universal Images Group 
Africa. Egypt. Cairo. Giza The Sphinx And The Pyramid Of Chefren. 1910 1920. Credit: Touring Club Italiano/Universal Images Group 
Discovery of an 18th dynasty tomb, in Draa Abul-Naga. Credit: World History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Rome. discovery of the columns in the temple of venus and rome. 1930. Credit: Universal Archive/Universal Images Group 
Rome, archaeological investigations following the opening of a hole in Piazza della Rotonda in front of the Pantheon. Credit: Alessandro Serrano’/AGF/Universal Images Group 
Sobek Temple in Kom Ombo. Nile. Credit: Stefano Venturini/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group 
Discovery of an 18th dynasty tomb, in Draa Abul-Naga. Credit: World History Archive/Universal Images Group 
Syria: The Theatre, Palmyra Credit: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group 
Discovery of the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings Credit: World History Archive/Universal Images Group
All images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing. Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com