Sumer: Royal Cemetery at Ur

Summary

This presentation delves into Sumerian beliefs about the afterlife and burial practices, exemplified by the luxurious artifacts found in the Royal Tombs of Ur, discovered by Sir Leonard Wooley in the 1920s. The script explores the significance of these objects, including the 'Ram in a Thicket' statues and the 'Great Lyre,' in reflecting Mesopotamian society's organization and agrarian theocracy. It also touches on the influence of biblical associations on archaeological interpretations and the narrative imagery on the 'Standard of Ur,' which depicts scenes of war and peace, symbolizing the dual responsibilities of kingship.

Takeaways

• 🏺 The script discusses the Sumerian beliefs about the afterlife, burial rites, and practices, highlighting the significance of appeasing spirits with gifts to prevent haunting.
• 🛑 Sir Leonard Wooley's archaeological work in the 1920s uncovered the Royal tombs at Ur, revealing luxurious objects that captured global interest due to their quality and historical importance.
• 📜 The script mentions the city of Ur's association with biblical narratives, particularly the story of Abraham, which adds to the fame of the artifacts found there.
• 🔮 Sumerian cylinder seals, poetry, and myths provide insights into their views on the afterlife, where the deceased became spirits that required offerings from the living.
• 💎 The luxurious burial items, such as jewelry and artifacts made from lapis lazuli, indicate long-distance trade and the importance of these materials in Mesopotamian culture.
• 🐐 The 'Ram in a Thicket' sculptures reflect agricultural development and animal domestication, with the materials and craftsmanship showcasing the region's artistic prowess.
• 🎼 The 'Great Lyre' is an extravagant artifact with a golden bull's head, symbolizing the sun god, and inlaid shell work depicting scenes from a Sumerian funeral.
• 🎵 The lyre's reconstruction suggests that music played a role in funerary rites, with the depiction of animals acting humanly, possibly indicating a connection to the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• 🏰 The 'Standard of Ur' is a misnomered artifact that Wooley may have incorrectly identified as a military banner; it features narrative imagery depicting scenes of war and peace.
• 🤴 The Standard of Ur uses the artistic technique of hierarchy of scale to represent the king's status, showing him as physically larger than others in scenes of both war and peace.
• 🌾 The script concludes by emphasizing the narratives on the artifacts, which reveal the organization of Sumerian society and the concept of an agrarian theocracy.

Q & A

What were the two main subjects discussed in the final PowerPoint about ancient Sumer?

The two main subjects discussed were the Sumerian beliefs about the afterlife and burial practices, and the influence of archaeology on the interpretation of objects found in Mesopotamia.

Who discovered the Royal tombs at Ur and in what decade?

The Royal tombs at Ur were discovered in the 1920s by Sir Leonard Wooley, a British archaeologist working for the British Museum.

What is the significance of the objects found in the Royal tombs at Ur?

The objects found in the Royal tombs at Ur are significant because they reflect Mesopotamian beliefs about the afterlife and are made of high-quality materials, indicating a connection to long-distance trade and contact between ancient civilizations.

What is the connection between the city of Ur and the Bible?

The city of Ur is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the place where the prophet Abraham is said to come from. However, it is not certain if this is the same city.

What do the Sumerians believe happens after one dies according to the script?

According to the script, the Sumerians believed that after one dies, they become a spirit or a ghost, and the living need to appease them with proper gifts to prevent them from haunting them.

What is the significance of the Ram in a Thicket statues found in the Royal tombs?

The Ram in a Thicket statues are significant because they are made of high-quality materials like lapis lazuli and ivory, and they reflect the importance of farming, agricultural development, and animal domestication in Mesopotamia.

What is the 'Great Lyre' and what does it depict?

The 'Great Lyre' is an extravagant object found in the tombs, which has a golden bull's head and inlaid shell work depicting scenes from a Sumerian funeral and death rites, including animals acting in human ways.

What is the significance of the bull's head on the Great Lyre?

The bull's head on the Great Lyre is a reference to the sun god, variously known as Utu or Shamash, who is described in cuneiform texts as taking the form of a bull with a lapis beard.

What is the Standard of Ur and what does it depict?

The Standard of Ur is an object that has been misnamed, but it features one of the earliest versions of narrative imagery, depicting scenes of war and peace, symbolizing the responsibilities of kingship.

What artistic technique is used in the Standard of Ur to indicate the status of the king?

The artistic technique used is the 'hierarchy of scale,' where the most important figures, such as the king, are depicted as physically larger than others to indicate their status.

What does the Standard of Ur tell us about the organization of Sumerian society?

The Standard of Ur tells us about the agrarian theocracy of Sumerian society, where the king had responsibilities to protect the city in times of conflict and oversee agricultural prosperity in times of peace.