Mesopotamian Art Tour
Sumerian Standing Male Worshiper:
The "Standing Male Worshiper" is a captivating statue carved from gypsum alabaster, featuring clasped hands and a wide-eyed gaze. It holds significant historical and religious value as it was originally placed in a temple in ancient Mesopotamia, dedicated to a Sumerian god. This statue had a special purpose, constantly praying on behalf of the person it represented. It is part of a collection known as the "Tell Asmar Hoard," which consists of twelve figures discovered in 1933 at Eshnunna in eastern Iraq. The hoard dates back to 2900-2550 BC, making it over 4,500 years old! This artwork is historically important because it represents the unique and abstract style of Early Dynastic temple sculpture, making it one of the few definitive examples of its kind. Studying this statue allows us to connect with the ancient world and gain insight into the religious practices and artistic expressions of the Sumerian civilization.
ca. 2900–2600 BCE Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York
Gilgamesh Epic Tablet XI:
The "Gilgamesh Epic Tablet XI" or the "Flood Tablet." This tablet is part of the ancient Mesopotamian epic poem called the "Epic of Gilgamesh," which is considered one of the oldest surviving works of literature. It tells the tale of a hero named Gilgamesh who, with the help of a god, builds a huge boat to save himself, his family, and animals from a massive flood sent by the gods. This tablet is around 2,700 years old, but the story itself is much older. The tablet is important because it shows that flood stories have been passed down through different civilizations for thousands of years. It helps us understand the beliefs and traditions of people who lived long ago.
7thC BCE, Gilgamesh Epic Tablet XI, British Museum, London
Ishtar Gate:
The Ishtar Gate was a special entrance to the city of Babylon, built by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 575 BCE. It was a part of the Walls of Babylon and was considered one of the original Seven Wonders of the World. The gate was dedicated to the goddess Ishtar and made using colorful bricks with pictures of dragons. The original gate was excavated between 1902 and 1914, and some parts were used to rebuild it in the Pergamon Museum in Germany. However, the gate is not complete because of size restrictions. Another smaller reconstruction was started in Iraq but couldn't be finished due to war. Pieces of the Ishtar Gate can be found in museums like the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and many others around the world.
The Cyrus Cylinder:
The cylinder was created in 539 BCE, surely by order of Cyrus the Great. The cylinder tells a story about a king named Cyrus who took over Babylon a long time ago. The cylinder was buried in the city wall of Babylon to show Cyrus' power. The writing says that the previous king of Babylon, Nabonidus, did things that made the gods angry and made people work hard. The gods left Babylon, but the god Marduk chose Cyrus to be the new king and bring back the old ways. Cyrus became the king and did good things like restoring the gods and making people happy. The writing also says that Cyrus rebuilt the city wall and found an old writing from another king named Ashurbanipal.
Cyrus Cylinder, British Museum, London
Temple of Ashur Water Basin:
The Temple of Ashur Water Basin is an ancient structure that was found in the city of Assur. It was a big basin made out of a single piece of stone. Unfortunately, it was discovered in pieces in the courtyard of the temple. But experts were able to put it back together using the original parts and carvings. The basin was used for important ceremonies and had sculptures of gods and priests on it. One of the main gods depicted is Enki, who is the god of water. The basin was destroyed when the city of Assur fell to enemy forces, and it didn't last very long. It's a special artwork that gives us a glimpse into the religious practices of ancient Mesopotamia and the importance of purification rituals.
Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany
Urfa Man:
Şanlıurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum, Şanlıurfa, Turkey
Urfa Man, also known as the Balıklıgöl Statue, is an ancient statue discovered in the city of Urfa, Turkey. The statue is believed to be around 11,000 years old, making it one of the oldest human statues ever found. It depicts a man standing upright with his hands crossed in front of his waist. Urfa Man is made of limestone and has a mysterious appearance. Some people think that it represents a god or an important figure in the ancient civilization that lived there long ago. The statue was found near a sacred pool called Balıklıgöl, which adds to its significance. Urfa Man provides us with clues about the early history of human civilization and the beliefs and culture of people from thousands of years ago.
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, Louvre Museum, Paris
"The Victory Stele of Naram-Sin dates to about 2250 BC, to the time of the Akkadian Empire. The relief depicts King Naram-Sin leading the Akkadian army to victory over the Lullubi, a mountain people from the Zagros Mountains. It shows the King crossing the steep slopes into enemy territory. On the left are the disciplined imperial forces marching in rank over the disordered defenders that lay broken and defeated. King Naram-Sin is shown as the most important figure as he is towering above his enemy and his troops, as all eyes gaze up toward him. The weak opposing forces are shown being thrown from the mountainside, impaled by spears, fleeing and begging for mercy as well as being trampled underfoot by the King."
Standard of Ur:
The Standard of Ur is an ancient artwork made of shells, stones, and wood. It was discovered in a tomb in the city of Ur, which is now in Iraq. The artwork is about 4,600 years old! It has two sides: one side shows pictures of war, and the other side shows pictures of peace. The people who made it used small pieces of different materials to make colorful pictures. They even found it next to the skeleton of a man who might have carried it. An archaeologist named Sir Leonard Woolley found and carefully reconstructed the Standard of Ur. It gives us a glimpse into the way people lived a very long time ago in ancient Mesopotamia.
Hammurabi Stele:
Hammurabi Stele, Louvre, Paris
The Hammurabi Stele, created around 1754 BCE during the reign of King Hammurabi in ancient Mesopotamia, is a momentous artifact featuring an inscription of 282 laws. Carved into a large stone pillar, the stele stands as one of the earliest and most extensive legal codes known to humanity. These laws, written in cuneiform script, hold immense historical importance as they provide a glimpse into the societal structure and governance of the time. The stele serves as a crucial historical record, illuminating the lives, customs, and legal practices of ancient civilizations while offering valuable insights for scholars studying the development of legal systems throughout history.
Information compiled in this site come from the following sources; British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Institute, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Acropolis Museum, Encyclopedia Britannica, Egypt Time Travel, Journey to Egypt, Getty Institute, Boston Museum of Fine Art
If you have edits you would like to suggest, please email Michael.Veley@ship.k12.pa.us