Image Gallery
The Mask of Warka
The mask of Warka, the first almost complete and life-size depiction of the human face in history, with respect to its anatomical details. It is made of marble and is about 20 cm tall. The eyes may have been inlaid with shells and lapis lazuli. The head might have been part of a large cult statue or was attached to a wall. It may represent the Sumerian goddess Inanna (Akkadian Ishtar). It was excavated by a German archaeological team in 1939, in a temple dedicated to Inanna at the Sumerian city of Uruk (modern-day Warka), southern Iraq, It dates back to the Jemdet Nasr period, 3000-2900 BCE.
Iraq Museum, Baghdad.
Questions & Answers
Was Mesopotamian religion polytheistic?
- Yes. Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic. The people worshipped approximately 3,600 different deities.
When was Mesopotamian religion first established?
- Mesopotamian religion was already established by the Uruk Period c. 4100 BCE.
Who was the most popular Mesopotamian god or goddess?
- The popularity of gods and goddesses changed with different eras but Inanna/Ishtar remained among the most popular in every period.
Why were amulets and charms used by religious people in ancient Mesopotamia?
- Amulets and charms were used by Mesopotamians to attract positive spirits from the gods and defend against dark energies from evil spirits, demons, or ghosts.
Add External Link
External Links
Mesopotamian Deities | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
metmuseum.org
Mesopotamian Religion
washington.edu
Ancient Mesopotamian Gods & Goddesses
museum.upenn.edu
