... Uruk Basin
... Uruk Basin 1-----99
The Uruk Basin is a Sumerian sculpture that was found in the city of Uruk and dates back to 3000-3300 BC, along with the Uruk Basin that is currently displayed in the Iraqi Museum.
The basin was found in the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk. It is considered one of the most revered objects in one of the temples in the city, which is believed to have been dedicated to the god Inanna. The circumstances of its discovery are unknown.
The Warka Basin is made of gypsum and is approximately one meter long. The inscriptions show a procession of rams, ewes and cows near a reed building that resembles reed houses in the marshes of southern Iraq. Experts interpreted the inscriptions to mean that the work indicates “the fertility of the lands under the care of the god Inanna.” The bundle of reeds on top of the building, which appeared in several works, indicates the god Inanna.
The basin was purchased by the British Museum with support from the National Art Society in 1928 from the German Institute for Oriental Studies, which carried out excavations at the site.
It is believed that the basin was used in worship rituals in the Temple of Inanna (Ishtar). The inscription on the basin shows a reed house in the same style as the marsh houses that currently exist in southern Iraq, and around it is a group of rams and ewes. It is believed that the interpretation of this scene represents the fertility of the land under the protection of the goddess Inanna because Bunches of reeds were later used as a symbol of Inana
The basin is considered one of the most important sculptural works of the prehistoric era
On display at the British Museum, 2023


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