---
title: Mesopotamian Eye Idol
author: Metropolitan Museum of Art
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21826/mesopotamian-eye-idol/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-05-21
---

# Mesopotamian Eye Idol

_Authored by Metropolitan Museum of Art_

## Image File

[![Mesopotamian Eye Idol](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21826.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21826.jpg)

## Image Caption

Gypsum alabaster eye idol from the Middle [Uruk](https://www.worldhistory.org/uruk/) period, c. 3700-3500 BCE, Tell Brak, [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/).

Many similar artifacts have been found at Tell Brak; they were likely amuletic objects honoring the Mesopotamian goddess Ningal, wife of [Nanna](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nanna/), or talismans reminding the person that the gods were watching over them.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Art, M. M. o. (2026, May 21). Mesopotamian Eye Idol. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21826/mesopotamian-eye-idol/>
### Chicago
Art, Metropolitan Museum of. "Mesopotamian Eye Idol." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 21, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21826/mesopotamian-eye-idol/>.
### MLA
Art, Metropolitan Museum of. "Mesopotamian Eye Idol." *World History Encyclopedia*, 21 May 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21826/mesopotamian-eye-idol/>.

## License & Copyright

© [Metropolitan Museum of Art](http://metmuseum.org/), NY. As part of the [Met's Open Access policy](https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/policies-and-documents/open-access), the Metropolitan Museum of Art has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this dataset. [Original image](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324150) by [**Metropolitan Museum of Art**](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/324150). Submitted by [Ibolya Horváth](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/horvath.ibolya/ "User Page: Ibolya Horváth"), published on 21 May 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.