Ophir's elegant O'Connell bridge was built to last, says Don Donovan.

Something orange-coloured shone in the dry soil at my feet. I picked it up and rubbed off the dirt, revealing a small piece of terracotta, probably part of an ornamental tile to judge from the slight patterning.

In the ancient city of Samarkand stands a monument to the grandiose vision of a brutal warlord. Jim Eagles writes.

Fortunes paid in belief items hold essence of star owner, study finds.

Convoy of huge semitrailers and Anzac peace centre among ideas going to advisory board.

Commander of the Continental Army which won the American colonies independence from Britain, first president of the United States: there's no doubt George Washington is one of the key figures who shaped the world we live in.

The grave of a famous Aboriginal leader has been discovered in a suburban front garden.

In honour of Italy's 150th birthday, John Walsh rounds up its top cultural exports.

A 10-metre-high tsunami ploughed into the Japanese coast on Friday, dashing ships into the shore, washing away houses and leaving devastation in its wake.

John Galliano's recent comments have put the spotlight on the links between designers and government.

Warnings about Christchurch's heritage buildings in a quake were given 15 years ago on TV.

While Lyttelton residents are lamenting the loss of 135 years of history as a demolition order hangs over their town's historic Timeball Station, one woman is mourning the loss of her home.

Release your inner palaeontologist and dig for dinosaurs in Winton, writes Pamela Wade.

Structural engineers should work with conservation architects and architectural historians to ensure that no quake-damaged heritage buildings in Christchurch are demolished in haste, a heritage campaigner says.

A Christchurch antiques dealer is appealing to authorities to help save his valuable collection before his store is bulldozed.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the focus on heritage buildings after the devastating earthquake in Christchurch is 'unacceptable' at a time when thousands of residents' lives have been disrupted.