Mesopotamian Inventions: Did you mean...?

Enlil (also known as Ellil and Nunamnir) was the Sumerian god of the air in the Mesopotamian pantheon, but he was more powerful than any other elemental deity and eventually was worshiped as King of...

Naram-Sin (reign 2254-2218 BCE) was the last great king of the Akkadian Empire and the grandson of Sargon the Great (reign 2334-2279 BCE), who founded the empire. He is considered the most important Akkadian king...

A pottery incense container found at layer 5 of the altar platform of the central temple of Basmosian Hill, Mesopotamia, Hurrian period, 2nd millennium BCE. Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq.

Copper alloy hoe blade with socket, from Ur, Early Dynastic III, 2600-2300 BCE. The British Museum, London.

These rings were found on the fingers of a woman named Puabi, inside her grave. Puabi was a Semitic Akkadian woman from Ur, c. 2600 BCE, possibly a queen or priestess. Two rings were made of gold wire that was twisted...

This carved grey stone has an integral handle. It was possibly a weight. There are eight compartments decorated with the shapes of eyes and rosettes. The handle imitates basketry and is ornamented with...

Perforated votive plaque with a banquet scene, Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, c. 2700-2600 BCE. Louvre, Paris.

This is a pair of gold boat-shaped earrings, worn by one of Queen Puabi's attendants and was found inside Puabi's grave. Early Dynastic Period, circa 2600 BCE. From the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day...

Stone inscribed with an incantation that has 7 signs, repeated 7 times. It is much worn through use. From Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq, c. 800-550 BCE. The British Museum, London.

These weights are in the range of 8.7 to 24.7 grams, roughly between 1 and 3 Babylonian shekels. Weights had been made in this characteristic duck-shape since around 2000 BCE. From Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq...