The World Digital Library recently went "live" providing access to literally thousands of cultural artifacts and primary sources from around the world and dating back to 9000 BC.
This database is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
It is searchable across 5 different categories and available in 7 languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese):
Place
Time
Topics, such as Technology and Language
Type of Item
Institution