Standard of Ur

Standard of Ur

The Standard of Ur (also known as the "Battle Standard of Ur," or the "Royal Standard of Ur") is a Sumerian artifact excavated from what had been the Royal Cemetery in the ancient city of Ur (located in modern-day Iraq south of Baghdad). The Standard of Ur dates from around 2600 - 2400 BCE, and was excavated by British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley in the 1920s.

It is essentially a hollow wooden box measuring 21.59 x 49.53 cm, (8.5 x 19.5 inches) inlaid with a mosaic of shell, red limestone and lapis lazuli. It is currently in a reconstructed state, as the effects of time over the last several millennia had decayed the wooden frame and bitumen glue which had cemented the mosaic in place. Its original function is not conclusively understood. Leonard Wooley suggested that it had been carried on a pole, borne as a standard. It has also been speculated that it was the soundbox of a musical instrument.

The Standard of Ur has two main panels, which have been named "War" and "Peace." "War" is one of the earliest representations of a Sumerian army, engaged in what is believed to be a border skirmish and its aftermath. Battle scenes include four-wheeled chariots, drawn by teams of some sort of equids (possibly onagers or domestic asses [ cite book | first=Juliet | last=Clutton-Brock | authorlink= | year=1992 | title=Horse Power: A History of the Horse and the Donkey in Human Societies | publisher=Harvard University Press | location=U.S. | id=ISBN 978-0674406469] ) trampling enemies (although these solid-wheeled early chariots must have been rather unwieldy in battle, and it is likely that they were used primarily for transport and defense); spearmen clad in armored cloaks; and other infantrymen bearing sickle-like knives or axes. Panels also depict prisoners, wounded, naked, and humiliated, being presented to the king.

"Peace" portrays a banquet scene. Attendants parade animals, fish, and other goods (possibly war booty) before seated figures, while a lyrist entertains the throng.

The Standard of Ur is currently housed in London's British Museum.

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