Images

This oval bowl has double-roll holders for a pair of vertically perforated gold barrel lug handles. Early Dynastic Period, circa 2600 BCE. From the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Part of objects allotted to the...

These rings were found on the fingers of a woman named Puabi, inside her grave. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly a queen or priestess. Two rings were made of gold wire that was twisted before being wound...

This vessel has a circular container with a short stem and a hollow foot. It houses a green cosmetic material. It was found with the body of Puabi inside her grave. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly a queen...

The lapis lazuli discs were carved and polished. They have two perforations through their diameter. They display a flat surface and a grooved circumflex. Each disc is surrounded by a single hammered gold ring with eight perforations. These...

These three bi-valve shells contain red, green, and black cosmetic pigments. Traces of green pigment are visible below the black pigment. Early Dynastic Period, circa 2600 BCE. From the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day...

This is a gold pommel from the hilt of a dagger. Many rivet holes can be seen. Early Dynastic Period, circa 2600 BCE. From the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Part of objects allotted to the British Museum from...

Agirgal was probably the name of the owner of the bowl. It was found in grave PG33. Akkadian to Neo-Sumerian Period, 2300-2100 BCE. From the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Part of objects allotted to the British...

This shell was imported from modern-day Oman and was incised and decorated. One end (the upper one) was engraved with a bird's head; the bird's eye would have been inlaid with lapis lazuli. As a lamp, this shell would have contained oil...

Vessels of soft stone, including chlorite or steatite, came from Iran and they demonstrate the extensive trade network of the cities of Southern Mesopotamia during this period. This green chlorite vessel is straight-sided and has an imbricated...

Cyrus the Great (d. 530 BCE) in a detail of a modern copy from a 6th century BCE bas-relief at Pasargadae inscribed "I am Cyrus the king, an Achaemenian". (Olympic Park, Sydney)