---
title: The Mask of Warka
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10265/the-mask-of-warka/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-08-26
---

# The Mask of Warka

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![The Mask of Warka](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10265.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10265.jpg)

## Image Caption

The mask of Warka, the first almost complete and life-size depiction of the human face in history, with respect to its anatomical details. It is made of marble and is about 20 cm tall. The eyes may have been inlaid with shells and lapis lazuli. The head might have been part of a large cult statue or was attached to a [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/). It may represent the [Sumerian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sumerians/) goddess [Inanna](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inanna/) ([Akkadian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/akkadian/) [Ishtar](https://www.worldhistory.org/ishtar/)). It was excavated by a German archaeological team in 1939, in a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) dedicated to Inanna at the Sumerian [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Uruk](https://www.worldhistory.org/uruk/) (modern-day Warka), southern Iraq, It dates back to the Jemdet Nasr period, 3000-2900 BCE.

Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2019, March 21). The Mask of Warka. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10265/the-mask-of-warka/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Mask of Warka." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 21, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10265/the-mask-of-warka/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Mask of Warka." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 Mar 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10265/the-mask-of-warka/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 21 March 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.