Sumerian. The ziggurat at Ur (modern Muqaiyir, Iraq). ca. 2550 BCE .
Sumerian. Vessel in the shape of an ostrich egg, from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. Height: 5-3/4".
Map: Major Mesopotamian capitals, ca. 2600-500 BCE .
Reconstruction drawing of the ziggurat at Ur (modern Muqaiyir, Iraq). ca. 2900–2700 BCE .
Sumerian. Dedicatory statues, from the Abu Temple, Tell Asmar, Iraq. Tallest figure approx. 30" high.
Chart: Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses. ca. 2200–2159 BCE .
Akkadian. Cylinder seal impression and the Seal of Adda. ca. 2600 BCE . Height: 1-1/2".
Sumerian. Soundbox panel front of the lyre from Tomb 789 (alternatively identified as the unknown king’s or Puabi’s tomb), from the cemetery at Ur (modern Muqaiyir, Iraq). ca. 2600 BCE . Height: approx. 12-1/4".
Sumerian. Lyre from Tomb 789 (alternatively identified as the unknown king’s or Puabi’s tomb), from the cemetery at Ur modern Muqaiyir, Iraq). Restored 1971–1972. ca. 2600 BCE . Height: 44-1/2".
Sumerian. Royal Standard of Ur, front (“War”) side, from tomb 779, cemetery at Ur (modern Muqaiyir, Iraq). ca. 2600 BCE . Height: 8". Length: 19".
Sumerian. Royal Standard of Ur, back (“Peace”) side, from tomb 779, cemetery at Ur (modern Muqaiyir, Iraq). ca. 2600 BCE . Height: 8". Length: 19".
Akkadian. Head of an Akkadian Man, from Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik, Iraq). ca. 2300-2200 BCE . Height: 14-1/8".
Sumerian. Closer Look: Cuneiform writing in Sumer (drawings of pictograms, stylus). ca. 2360 BCE .
Sumerian. Closer Look: Cuneiform writing in Sumer. Sumerian tablet from Lagash, modern Tello, Iraq. ca. 2360 BCE .
Materials & Techniques: Lost-wax Casting (diagram).
Akkadian. Stele of Naramsin, from Susa (modern Shush, Iran). ca. 2254–2218 BCE . Height: approx. 6' 6".
Babylonian. Stele of Hammurabi, from Susa (modern Shush, Iran). ca. 1760 BCE . Height of stele: approx. 7'. Height of relief: 28".
Assyrian. Ashurnasirpal II Killing Lions, from the palace complex of Ashurnasirpal II, Kalhu (modern Nimrud, Iraq). ca. 850 BCE . Height: approx. 39".
Assyrian. Human-Headed Winged Bull, one of a pair from the entrance to the palace of Sargon II, Khorsabad, Iraq. ca. 720 BCE . Height: approx. 13' 10".
Tablet 11 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (fragment), with the Flood Story. From the Library of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik, Iraq). Second milennium BCE .
Hebrew. Mosaic floor decorations: The Ark of the Covenant and sanctuary implements. From Hammath, near Tiberias, Israel. Fourth century CE .
Map: The United Monarchy of Israel under David and Solomon. ca. 1000 BCE .
Assyrian. Exile of the Israelites , from the Palace of Sennacherib, Nineveh, Assyria. Late 8th century BCE .
Babylonian. Reconstruction drawing: Babylon's Processional Way & Ishtar Gate as they appeared in the 6th century BCE .
Babylonian. Ishtar Gate , restored, from Babylon. ca. 575 BCE .
Persian. Palace of Darius and Xerxes , Persepolis. 518 to ca. 460 BCE . Palace mount: 545 × 330 yards.
Persian. Darius and Xerxes Receiving Tribute . Detail, relief from a stairway leading to the Apadana, ceremonial complex, Persepolis, Iran. 491-486 BCE . Height: 8' 4".
Achaemenid. Rhyton . 5th-3rd centuries BCE .
Egyptian. Obelisk of Luxor in the Place de la Concorde, Paris. Dynasty 19. ca. 1279-1213 BCE . Height: 75'.