Images

This plaque of Sumerian decoration was probably used for wooden items, such as furniture or fine musical instrument. From Tell al-Ubaid, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Early Dynastic Period, 2600-2500 BCE. (The British Museum, London...

Calcite figure of a man, with a cuneiform inscription on the right shoulder/upper arm. The text hasn't been deciphered yet, but probably it bears the dedicator's name. The nose might well have been attached separately. There is a cuneiform...

This small fragment came from a large upright stone jar. The jar was inscribed with the name of the Akkadian king Rimush, son of Sargon. Akkadian Period, reign of Rimush, 2278-2270 BCE. From Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (The...

Face of the demon Humbaba (Huwawa), a monster featured and slaughtered in the Epic of Gilgamesh, from Sippar, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, Old Babylonian Period, 1800-1600 BCE. This example of his features was used in the interpretation...

A mosaic fragment depicting two boxers with oddly shaped boxing gloves, 300-350 CE. The gloves have sometimes been interpreted as having metal spikes attached to them but they are more likely gloves with separate slots for fingers. (Rheinisches...

This lapis lazuli cylinder seal shows a libation scene. A robed king stands before the ascending Sun God Shamash and pours an offering. The suppliant goddess (with necklace counterweight) stands behind the king. The God holds a wedge and...

The cuneiform text of this clay tablet orders men to go to Babylon for a court hearing. This letter from Hammurabi is addressed to an official named Sin-iddinam. Old Babylonian Period, reign of Hammurabi, 1792-1750 BCE. From Larsa, Southern...

This clay tablet mentions the names of the kings of Babylon (genealogy of the Hammurabi's dynasty) as far as the reign of Ammiditana (reigned 1683-1647 BCE). The list also mentions the names of several Amorite tribal ancestors, to whose spirits...

Clay plaque showing a man shooting at a monkey. The monkey is in the branches of a tree, in the centre. There is a boar at the foot of the right side of the tree. A kneeling man assists the shooter. This is possibly a scene from an Indian...

Two boxers are fighting while two musicians are playing the drum and are beating clappers together. Old Babylonian Period, 2000-1600 BCE. From Larsa, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London).