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Court Official

359-338 B.C.; Iranian, Achaemenid Dynasty; Limestone.The palace of Darius the Great was restored by Artaxerxes III by the addition of a western staircase with relief representations of dignitaries from the twenty-six subject states of the empire bearing gifts to the "king of kings." Each foreign group is led by a Persian official holding a staff. T...

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Banquet Plaque

Iraq: Khafajah, Sin Temple IX; Early Dynastic II-III, ca. 2700-2600 B.C. Gypsum. Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1933-4. "The top register of this plaque shows a seated man and woman celebrating an unidentified event or ritual by participating in a banquet. Two servants attend them while others bring a jar (probably filled with beer), an anima...

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Pitcher with Built-In Strainer

The "Pitcher with Built-In Strainer" from Alishar Huyuk in Turkey, dating back to the Assyrian Colony Period around 1900-1750 B.C., is an archaeological artifact that provides fascinating insights into the daily life and craftsmanship of ancient civilizations. Here's a description of this historical object: Artifact Description: This pitcher is a f...

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Earring

Late 5th to early 4th century B.C.; Iranian, Achaemenid Dynasty; Gold and faience. Many of the Persian courtiers and delegates on the reliefs of Persepolis are shown wearing elaborate earrings. This earring, probably from Susa (the southern administrative capital of the empire), is characteristic of jewelry of this period. When in motion, the beads...

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Clay Prism of King Sennacherib

Iraq: Nineveh (?); Neo-Assyrian Period; Reign of Sennacherib, ca. 689 B.C. Baked clay. Purchased in Baghdad, 1919. "On the six inscribed sides of this clay prism, King Sennacherib recorded eight military campaigns undertaken against various peoples who refused to submit to Assyrian domination. In all instances, he claims to have been victorious. As...

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Foundation Figurine of King Ur-Nammu

Iraq: Nippur, E-kur Court, S gate, SE tower; Third Dynasty of Ur; Reign of Ur-Nammu, ca. 2111-2095 B.C. Bronze. Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1955-6. "King Ur-Nammu rebuilt and enlarged one of the most important temples in ancient Mesopotamia - the E-kur of Enlil, the chief god of the pantheon. This figurine, which was buried in a foundation...

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Clay Tablet and Envelope

Iraq: Nuzi; Mitannian Period; Second half of the 15th century B.C. Baked clay. Oriental Museum. Gift of the Iraq Museum and the American Schools of Oriental Research, 1934. "Enclosed in its clay envelope, this tablet was stored in a private archive of more than 1,000 texts. The tablet records the outcome of a litigation between two men, both of who...

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Pair of Bull Statuettes

A pair of bull statuettes is a common find in archaeological sites from the ancient world. Bulls were often revered as symbols of fertility, strength, and power. They were also associated with gods and goddesses, such as Zeus, Hera, and Mithras. Bull statuettes were made from a variety of materials, including clay, metal, and stone. They were often...

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Colossal Bull Head

Iran: Persepolis, Hundred-Column Hall; Achaemenid Period Reigns of Xerxes/Artaxerxes I, ca. 485-424 B.C. Dark gray limestone; restored. Excavated by the Oriental Institute, 1932. "Carved in the court style typical of the Achaemenid Empire, this highly polished stone head originally belonged to one of two guardian bulls flanking the portico of the h...

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Striding Lion

Iraq: Babylon, Processional Avenue north of the Ishtar Gate Neo-Babylonian Period; Reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, ca. 604-562 B.C. Molded brick with polychrome glaze; Purchased in Berlin, 1931. "This colorful striding lion, its mouth opened in a threatening roar, once decorated a side of the 'Processional Way' in ancient Babylon (the Biblical city of ...

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