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Ancient Middle East


Oriental Antiquities.



2,022 photos
The silver object was discovered in the cemetery at Ur, early Dynastic period, 2.600-2.400 BCE. In shape it resembles shell vessels also found in the Royal graves. Although often described as "lamps" both the conch shells and their metal imitations were probably used for pouring, perhaps in temple rituals. ANE 120696
#03030147

The silver object was discovered in the cemetery at Ur, early Dynastic period, 2...

Plaque depicting King Eannatum, around 2450-2300 BCE. Fragment of a stone plaque with a cuneiform inscription which identifies the figure as Eannatum, ruler of the kingdom of Lagash. The plaque would have been dedicated to a temple by Eannatum himself and was probably originally fixed to the wall. ANE 130828
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Plaque depicting King Eannatum, around 2450-2300 BCE. Fragment of a stone plaque...

Juglet from the Middle Euphrates region, Syria, Amorite, 2400-2000 BCE. The juglet, with its applied figurine, is pierced at the base and may have been a strainer or a sprinkler. ANE 138756
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Juglet from the Middle Euphrates region, Syria, Amorite, 2400-2000 BCE. The jug...

Lion's head from the temple of Ninhursag, a mother goddess "lady of the steppe land", Tell al-Ubaid near Ur, southern Iraq 2600-2400 BCE. The head, made of sheet copper over a bitumen core was found at the foot of a brick platform of the former temple building. The lions may have decorated the fcade of the temple, perhaps acting as guardian figures at the entrance. ANE 114312
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Lion's head from the temple of Ninhursag, a mother goddess "lady of the steppe...

Stone mace head, possibly from Tello (ancient Girsu), southern Iraq, Kingdom of Lagash, 2400-2300 BCE. This mace head is too large to have been attached to a staff and used in battle and is probably an object dedicated in temples. An eagle grasps two lions. ANE 23287
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Stone mace head, possibly from Tello (ancient Girsu), southern Iraq, Kingdom of...

Terracotta plaque showing a bull-man holding a post, Mesopotamian, Old Babylonian, 2.000-1.600 BCE. The relief shows a creature with head and torso of a human but lower body and legs of a bull. He may be supporting a divine emblem and this acting as a protective deity. Baked clay tablets were mass-produced using moulds in southern Mesopotamia from the second millenium BCE. ANE 103225
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Terracotta plaque showing a bull-man holding a post, Mesopotamian, Old Babylonia...

Clay mask of the demon Humbaba, 1800-1600 BCE. One method for predicting the future in ancient Mesopotamia was the study of the shape and colour of the internal organs of a sacrificed animal. A cuneiform inscription on the back of this mask suggests that the intestines have the shape of Humbaba's face. Humbaba was the guardian of the Cedar forest and was defeated by Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The divination expert who made the mask is named in the inscription as Warad-Marduk. The mask was founs at Sippar, the cult center for the sun-god Shamash. ANE 116624
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Clay mask of the demon Humbaba, 1800-1600 BCE. One method for predicting the fut...

Fragment of a stone stele dedicated by Itur-Ashdum, probably from Sippar, Meopotamia, Iraq. 1760-1750 BCE. The cuneiform inscription states that a high official called Itur Ashdum dedicated a statue to the goddess Ashratum in her temple, on behalf of King Hammurabi. To the left of the inscription is Hammurabi, with his right arm raised in worship. Code: 0310000994
#03030156

Fragment of a stone stele dedicated by Itur-Ashdum, probably from Sippar, Meopot...

Bronze figurine of a warrior, Canaanite, 2000-1700 BCE. He wears a broad belt fastened with ribbons and a feathered crown; his hands are pierced and he probably carried weapons. Human figures such as this are often images of deities. They may have served as cult idols or votive objects, given by worshippers with prayers to enlist the god's favour or help. ANE 120454
#03030159

Bronze figurine of a warrior, Canaanite, 2000-1700 BCE. He wears a broad belt f...

Ivory hand, Canaanite, 1400-1200 BCE. This hand, which is three-quarters life-size, may have formed part of a cult figure in the Fosse Temple in Lachish, Israel. The temple is an important source of information about Canaanite cult practices. It was destroyed suddenly and violently around 1200 BCE. ANE 1980-12-14, 12036
#03030160

Ivory hand, Canaanite, 1400-1200 BCE. This hand, which is three-quarters life-s...

Ivory hand, Canaanite, 1400-1200 BCE. This hand, which is almost three-quarters life-size, may have formed part of a cult figure in the Fosse Temple in Lachish, Israel. The temple is an important source of information about Canaanite cult practices. It was destroyed suddenly and violently around 1200 BCE. ANE 1980-12-14, 12036
#03030161

Ivory hand, Canaanite, 1400-1200 BCE. This hand, which is almost three-quarters...

Lid of an anthropoid coffin, 13th century BCE. Mask-like clay-lid from a slipper-shaped coffin. Such coffins were most probably used for the burials of foreigners serving with the Egyptian forces in Canaan, mostly of Aegean or Anatolian origin. Found in a tomb in Lachish,Israel.
#03030163

Lid of an anthropoid coffin, 13th century BCE. Mask-like clay-lid from a slipper...