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Fara-Ur I period : Cylinder seals and impressions, c. 2900-2460 BC

Date

Authors

Strommenger, Eva
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham

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Abstract

Description

Top left : White limestone cylinder seal of Meskalamdu(g) phase, c. 2685(?)-2645 BC from Royal Cemetery at Ur, grave PG 1586, h : 4 cm (British Museum)
two intercrossed lions slaying goats attached by panther & curly-headed hero. Top right : Ur I (c. 2645-2460 BC) phase lapis lazuli seal, h : 2.5 cm (Munich)
typical example of final phase of Early Dynastic "band of figures", with elements now side by side, not overlapping. Bottom left : Lapis lazuli cylinder seal with mythological representation, probably from Ur, h : 4.1 cm (British Museum)
2 wild bulls on either side of plant growing from mountain are threatened by an Im-dugud, himself attacked by a bull-man and a hero
the lower row contains bulls, goats with curved horns, a stag and a bird of prey. Bottom right : Lapis lazuli seal with drinking scene from Royal Cemetery at Ur, grave of Pu-abi (or Shub-ad)
according to the inscription, Queen Pu-abi was the owner of the seal
ritual banquets such as here depicted very common in ancient Western Asiatic art, particularly in Early Dynastic times
they were an essential part of certain ceremonies.

Citation

Source

Type

Archives Series

Date created

1964

Access Statement

License Rights

This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.

DOI

Restricted until

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