Images

This mortar was an offering from Gudea (ruler of Lagash) to the god Enlil. Neo-Sumerian era, 2141-2122 BCE. From Nippur (modern Nuffar, Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq), southern Mesopotamia.(Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient...

The cuneiform inscriptions on this tablet narrate the story of "Lugalbanda and the Mountain Cave." Lugalbanda was Gilgamesh's father. This large literary document inscribed in Sumerian tells us how Lugalbanda was lost...

This clay tablet (with its clay envelope) was a legal document which documented the purchase of a house property. From Nippur (modern Nuffar, Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq), southern Mesopotamia. Old-Babylonian era...

Cuneiform inscriptions on foundation cones record the building and rebuilding of various god and goddesses temples in Mesopotamia. One of these cones records the building of the temple of the god Numushda in the city of Kiritab...

This reform text belongs to King Uru'inimgina (or URU-KA-GI-NA), king of Lagash. From Girsu (modern Tell Telloh, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq), Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Early dynastic period, 2351-2342 BCE. (Istanbul...

This painted bowl dates back to the Halaf period, Mesopotamia, sixth century BCE. (The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq).

This is the upper part of a sandstone statue which was found near Rowanduz village, modern Sulaimaniya Governorate, Iraq. The lack of inscriptions on this statue make it difficult to determine who this...

This partially broken painted pottery dates back to the Samarra culture, Mesopotamia, 6th millennium BCE. (The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq).

This is one of the very few surviving artifacts from the Musasir Kingdom, 8th century BCE. It was found near Rowanduz village, modern Sulaimaniya Governorate, Iraq. The statue has lost most of its fine details...

A commercial letter (clay tablet) enclosed by an envelope (a clay covering). The letter was supposed to be opened by the recipient. 2nd millennium BCE, Mesopotamia, Iraq. (The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq).