Images

This terracotta statuette depicts a nude woman. She holds a daf (dap) in front of her bare chest. She wears a prominent collar and bracelets. The pubic area is highlighted. From Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Early dynastic period, 2800-2300...

A double vessel with a base of four bulls. From Shuruppak (modern-day Tell Fa'rah, Iraq), southern Mesopotamia. Early dynastic period, 2570-2342 BCE. (Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey).

This bronze plaque represents an amulet against bad spirits and diseases. From northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Assyrian. Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey.

This terracotta cuneiform tablet mentions a judicial decision on breaking an engagement. From Girsu (modern-day Tell Telloh, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq), Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Neo-Sumerian period (Ur III), 2035 BCE. (Istanbul Archaeological...

This bronze hand holds a ring, a symbol of divinity. From northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Assyrian. Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey.

Terracotta seal lock from Lagash, southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Neo-Sumerian period (Ur III), 2114-2004 BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey).

This terracotta cuneiform tablet narrates a verdict about a murder. From Girsu (modern-day Tell Telloh, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq), Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Neo-Sumerian period (Ur III), 2112-2004 BCE. (Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient...

This terracotta cuneiform tablet is a letter from Ludingirra to his mother. Nippur (modern Nuffar, Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq), southern Mesopotamia. Old-Babylonian period, 1700 BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum...

This basalt wall relief depicts four people playing on musical instruments. From Sam'al (modern-day Sinjerli, Gaziantep, Turkey). Late Hittite period, 8th century BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey...

This terracotta cuneiform tablet is about the myth of "Inanna prefers the farmer." In this myth, Enkimdu (the god of farming) and Dumuzi (the god of food and vegetation) tried to win the hand of the goddess Inanna. From Nippur (modern Nuffar...