Basic Pictorial Communication through the Ages

Some examples of Pictograms (or pictographs) through the ages:
Chinese bone-carvings. Read more about the evolution of Chinese writing.

African earth-carvings.

European cave-paintings.

Mayan astronomical charts (from the Dresden Codex).

Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Roman relief sculpture (from Trajan's Column).

European Embroidery (the Bayeux Tapestry).

Viking rune stones.

Medieval Illuminated Manuscript.

Modern icons. See the entire official Department of Transportation set of Pictograms.
Also: Dan Z's Mardi Gras Pictograms vs. Illustrations.

Japanese pharmaceutical pictograms.

We ain't afraid of no ghosts.

Modern example of material limitations influencing visual aesthetic.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Pictograms. More on the history of the Olympic Pictograms here.