---
title: Mosaic Column from the Temple of Ninhursag
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6960/mosaic-column-from-the-temple-of-ninhursag/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Mosaic Column from the Temple of Ninhursag

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

## Image File

[![Mosaic Column from the Temple of Ninhursag](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6960.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6960.jpg)

## Image Caption

This detail is part of a [mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) [column](https://www.worldhistory.org/column/), which may have stood at the side of the entrance into the [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/). The whole column originally had a core of palm-wood (now perished). A layer of bitumen coated that wood. The mosaic inlay pieces (mother-of-pearl, pink limestone, and black shale) have [copper](https://www.worldhistory.org/copper/) wires at the back. The wires were twisted into loops which were set into the bitumen layer to hold the mosaic pieces into position. [Early Dynastic](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Early_Dynastic/) Period, circa 2500 BCE. From the Temple of [Ninhursag](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ninhursag/) (out of position at the foot of the temple) at Tell Al-Ubaid, Southern [Mesopotamia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mesopotamia/), modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London)

#### 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. (2017, August 23). Mosaic Column from the Temple of Ninhursag. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6960/mosaic-column-from-the-temple-of-ninhursag/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Mosaic Column from the Temple of Ninhursag." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 23, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6960/mosaic-column-from-the-temple-of-ninhursag/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Mosaic Column from the Temple of Ninhursag." *World History Encyclopedia*, 23 Aug 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6960/mosaic-column-from-the-temple-of-ninhursag/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 23 August 2017. 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.