Statue of a mythical creature
A statue of a composite mythological creature dating back to the modern Sumerian era, 2112 - 2004 BC.
The policy of the Sumerian kings at that time was central in managing state affairs, and Sumerian civilization scholars consider this dynasty to be the “Sumerian Renaissance,” the last Sumerian dynasty to rule Mesopotamia.
The third era of the Ur dynasty was characterized by the abundance of cuneiform texts that were found either through organized scientific excavations or those obtained through illegal excavations (excavations) that affected cities and archaeological sites throughout Iraq. Likewise, the texts found in... The Iraqi Museum The vast majority of these texts had various economic connotations.
It was found in the city of Lagash, made of steatite stone. It is 16 cm long and 10 cm high.
This anthropomorphic sculpture represents a bull with a human head, crouching and wearing a horned crown, a symbol of divinity in Mesopotamia. The eye sockets are hollow and may have been inlaid with precious stones, and there are holes in its body, which is likely that its body was studded with precious stones or inlaid with precious metals such as gold and silver.
The presence of this being in the temple is for its protection and guarding from evil spirits. The artist chose the most beautiful parts of the elements found in nature, whether human or animal. He took the most beautiful part of the human being, which is the head, which contains the mind, which is the source of wisdom, and he took the body from the bull, which is the source of strength.
It is currently preserved in the Louvre Museum
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