Obelisk of Ur-Nanshe from Lagash

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 08 April 2019
Subscribe to author
Obelisk of Ur-Nanshe from Lagash Download Full Size Image

This large white limestone obelisk was found in Lagash, southern Mesopotamia, in modern-day Iraq. All of the 4 aspects of the obelisk were carved, in reliefs, with different scenes.

The frontal surface depicts the Sumerian goddess Nisaba seated, holding what appears to be a palm branch. Ur-Nanshe and his family were depicted in other aspects, and many cuneiform inscriptions can also be seen. Ur-Nanshe was the first king of the First Dynasty of Lagash and reigned from 2550 to 2500 BCE. It is now on display in the Sumerian Gallery of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq. Circa 2550 - 2500 BCE.

Remove Ads
Advertisement
Subscribe to this author

About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2019, April 08). Obelisk of Ur-Nanshe from Lagash. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10397/obelisk-of-ur-nanshe-from-lagash/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Obelisk of Ur-Nanshe from Lagash." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified April 08, 2019. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10397/obelisk-of-ur-nanshe-from-lagash/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Obelisk of Ur-Nanshe from Lagash." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 08 Apr 2019. Web. 22 Feb 2025.

Membership