Images

This bronze hand holds a ring, a symbol of divinity. From northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Assyrian. Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey.

Terracotta seal lock from Lagash, southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Neo-Sumerian period (Ur III), 2114-2004 BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey).

This terracotta cuneiform tablet narrates a verdict about a murder. From Girsu (modern-day Tell Telloh, Dhi-Qar Governorate, Iraq), Southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. Neo-Sumerian period (Ur III), 2112-2004 BCE. (Istanbul Archaeological Museums/Ancient...

This terracotta cuneiform tablet is a letter from Ludingirra to his mother. Nippur (modern Nuffar, Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq), southern Mesopotamia. Old-Babylonian period, 1700 BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum...

This basalt wall relief depicts four people playing on musical instruments. From Sam'al (modern-day Sinjerli, Gaziantep, Turkey). Late Hittite period, 8th century BCE. (Istanbul Archeological Museums/Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul, Turkey...

This terracotta cuneiform tablet is about the myth of "Inanna prefers the farmer." In this myth, Enkimdu (the god of farming) and Dumuzi (the god of food and vegetation) tried to win the hand of the goddess Inanna. From Nippur (modern Nuffar...

In this basalt wall relief, King Barrekub prays in front of divine symbols. The Hittite hieroglyphic inscriptions talk about the construction of a new palace. Sam'al (modern-day Sinjerli, Gaziantep, Turkey). Late Hittite period, 8th century...

The right arm of this standing nude statue of Hercules is lost while the left arm holds a lion's skin. From Hatra (modern Al-Jazira region, Ninawa Governorate, Iraq), Mesopotamia. 2nd-3rd centuries CE. The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq.

In this partially survived terracotta plaque, the god Adad stands on the back of a bull. Adad was the God of weather, hurricanes, storms, thunder, and rain. From Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Old-Babylonian period, 2000-1500 BCE. The Sulaimaniya...

Only this fragment of a large Assyrian terracotta prism has survived. From Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Neo-Assyrian period. 8th and 7th centuries BCE. The Sulaimaniya Museum, Iraq.