Modern developments can make us believe that there have never been wonders in the past that were as impressive as the ones we have created thanks to new technologies. However, some ancient civilizations have come up with wonders so exquisitely constructed that it makes us question our assumptions about the past. There are so many cultures we know very little of because records are scarce or unreliable. This means that there are countless skills and technological advances that ancient peoples might have developed that we have no way of knowing about. From marvelous carvings to priceless jewels, here is a compilation of incredibly detailed artifacts that show the incredible skills of artisans of by-gone eras.

Few sculptures are as detailed as the “Veiled Christ” statue

This sculpture was made in 1753 by Neapolitan sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino and is exhibited in the Sansevero Chapel in Naples. It was initially assigned to Antonio Corradini, who died before he could begin the project. The veil is so detailed that it is believed that alchemy was used to create it.

The legend claims that alchemist Raimondo di Sangro, who had commissioned the piece, taught Sanmartino how to turn cloth into marble. In reality, there was no alchemy involved in the making of this work of art. The credit goes to its master sculptor.