---
title: Headless Statue of Entemena of Lagash
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10396/headless-statue-of-entemena-of-lagash/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Headless Statue of Entemena of Lagash

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

## Image File

[![Headless Statue of Entemena of Lagash](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10396.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/10396.jpg)

## Image Caption

This black diorite statue depictes Entemena, a king (or ruler) of Lagash, around 2400 BCE; identified by the [cuneiform](https://www.worldhistory.org/cuneiform/) inscriptions on the right shoulder and back. The king wears the typical flounced [Sumerian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sumerians/) skirt. The statue was found in the ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Ur](https://www.worldhistory.org/ur/), in southern Iraq, in the 1920s. It was headless when it was excavated, and the head was probably chipped off in antiquity as a symbol of Ur's independence from Lagash. This was the heaviest objected looted from the Iraq Museum (about 250 Kg), somewhere between April 10 to 12, 2003 CE after the fall of Saddam regime. The statue sustained some damage to its frontal surface during the looting. The statue was eventually returned, in a ceremony, to Iraqi officials on July 25, 2006 CE. The statue is now once again on display in the Sumerian Gallery of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq.

#### 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, April 11). Headless Statue of Entemena of Lagash. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10396/headless-statue-of-entemena-of-lagash/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Headless Statue of Entemena of Lagash." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 11, 2019. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10396/headless-statue-of-entemena-of-lagash/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Headless Statue of Entemena of Lagash." *World History Encyclopedia*, 11 Apr 2019, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10396/headless-statue-of-entemena-of-lagash/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 11 April 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.