Limestone sculpture, Imperial Period, A.D. 150–200, Syria. An elaborate Palmyrene funerary monument with a Greek inscription “Aththaia, daughter of Malchos, Happy One, Farewell”. Although the Greek inscription betrays her Hellenic affinities, her face and the details of carving are thoroughly Eastern. The incised relief line of the eyebrows and the rubbery folds of the neck foreshadow Graeco-Buddhist sculpture in northern and northwestern India, and central Asia. The carving of the chiton (tunic) and himation is expertly handled, but the number of tight zigzag folds also foreshadows Late Antique and Byzantine art. - mfa.org (text and photo)
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Limestone sculpture, Imperial Period, A.D. 150–200, Syria.

An elaborate Palmyrene funerary monument with a Greek inscription “Aththaia, daughter of Malchos, Happy One, Farewell”. Although the Greek inscription betrays her Hellenic affinities, her face and the details of carving are thoroughly Eastern. The incised relief line of the eyebrows and the rubbery folds of the neck foreshadow Graeco-Buddhist sculpture in northern and northwestern India, and central Asia. The carving of the chiton (tunic) and himation is expertly handled, but the number of tight zigzag folds also foreshadows Late Antique and Byzantine art. - mfa.org (text and photo)

Cuneiform terracota tablets, ca. 1400 BC, Qatna, Syria. 63 cuneiform tablets were discovered in 2002, in a subterranean corridor. They were covered by the burned remains of several roofbeams. Maybe they were hidden during the Hittite invasion. The texts probably belong to the archive of King Idanda and contain both intelligence reports on the political situation in northern Syria, the Hittite threat and domestic and administrative texts. The texts are written in a mixture of the Akkadian and Hurrian languages hitherto unknown. - wikipedia.org
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Cuneiform terracota tablets, ca. 1400 BC, Qatna, Syria.


63 cuneiform tablets were discovered in 2002, in a subterranean corridor. They were covered by the burned remains of several roofbeams. Maybe they were hidden during the Hittite invasion. The texts probably belong to the archive of King Idanda and contain both intelligence reports on the political situation in northern Syria, the Hittite threat and domestic and administrative texts. The texts are written in a mixture of the Akkadian and Hurrian languages hitherto unknown. - wikipedia.org

Victory stele of king Naram-Sin, limestone bas-relief, ca. 2254-2213 BC (Akkad),  During Naram-Sin reign the Lullubi tribe rebelled. The king subdued the revolt and erected this stele at Sippar. This stele is a major work because it is considered to be the first landscape in oriental art as well as the first stele depicting a whole scene in only one piece. It is also the first work of art showing a deified king: Naram-Sin is a massive character and he is wearing a horned helmet which is the symbol of divinity in ancient Near-East. The two suns above the mountain represent the sun god Nergal, protector of the dynasty.  source: wikipedia.com
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Victory stele of king Naram-Sin, limestone bas-relief, ca. 2254-2213 BC (Akkad), 

During Naram-Sin reign the Lullubi tribe rebelled. The king subdued the revolt and erected this stele at Sippar.

This stele is a major work because it is considered to be the first landscape in oriental art as well as the first stele depicting a whole scene in only one piece. It is also the first work of art showing a deified king: Naram-Sin is a massive character and he is wearing a horned helmet which is the symbol of divinity in ancient Near-East. The two suns above the mountain represent the sun god Nergal, protector of the dynasty. 

source: wikipedia.com

Small grammar of the sumerian language for beginners and Exercices. Isn’t this awesome? Got these for my birthday a month ago, and I still can’t believe how incredible this gift is. So, hey, be jaleous.
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Small grammar of the sumerian language for beginners and Exercices.

Isn’t this awesome? Got these for my birthday a month ago, and I still can’t believe how incredible this gift is. So, hey, be jaleous.

Two Terra cotta cylinders describing the construction of Ninurta’s temple (God of war) via cuneiform symbols, ca. 2120 BC, Girsu, Iraq. 56.50 cm long, 33 cm of diametre, Musée du Louvre.
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Two Terra cotta cylinders describing the construction of Ninurta’s temple (God of war) via cuneiform symbols, ca. 2120 BC, Girsu, Iraq. 56.50 cm long, 33 cm of diametre, Musée du Louvre.

Human-headed winged bull, also known as a Šedu, Gypsum, Neo-Assyrian Period, ca. 721-705 B.C. This colossal sculpture was one of a pair that guarded the entrance to the throne room of King Sargon II. A protective spirit known as a “lamassu”, it is shown as a composite being with the head of a human, the body and ears of a bull, and the wings of a bird. When viewed from the side, the creature appears to be walking; when viewed from the front, to be standing still. Thus it is actually represented with five, rather than four, legs. - OIUC webpage.
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Human-headed winged bull, also known as a Šedu, Gypsum, Neo-Assyrian Period, ca. 721-705 B.C.

This colossal sculpture was one of a pair that guarded the entrance to the throne room of King Sargon II. A protective spirit known as a “lamassu”, it is shown as a composite being with the head of a human, the body and ears of a bull, and the wings of a bird. When viewed from the side, the creature appears to be walking; when viewed from the front, to be standing still. Thus it is actually represented with five, rather than four, legs. - OIUC webpage.