Standard of Ur – British Museum – DavidC Photography
From Ur, southern Iraq, about 2600-2400 BC
Height: 21.59 cm Length: 49.53 cm
Standard of Ur 2600BC mosaic “war panel” – Journey to Ancient Civilizations
A mysterious object with one of the earliest representations of a Sumerian army
This object was found in one of the largest graves in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, lying in the corner of a chamber above the right shoulder of a man. Its original function is not yet understood. Leonard Woolley, the excavator at Ur, imagined that it was carried on a pole as a standard, hence its common name. Another theory suggests that it formed the soundbox of a musical instrument.
Standard of Ur mosaic detail Babylonian – Journey to Ancient Civilizations
When found, the original wooden frame for the mosaic of shell, red limestone and lapis lazuli had decayed, and the two main panels had been crushed together by the weight of the soil. The bitumen acting as glue had disintegrated and the end panels were broken. As a result, the present restoration is only a best guess as to how it originally appeared.
Standard of Ur mosaic detail British Museum – Journey to Ancient Civilizations
The main panels are known as ‘War’ and ‘Peace’.
Mesopotamia 1-Standard of Ur – mosaic war panel – kudwinski10108
‘War’ shows one of the earliest representations of a Sumerian army.
The Standard of Ur mosaic chariot detail 8 – mharrsch
The Standard of Ur mosaic chariot detail (6) – mharrsch
Chariots, each pulled by four donkeys, trample enemies;
The Standard of Ur mosaic army detail (7) – mharrsch
infantry with cloaks carry spears; enemy soldiers are killed with axes, others are paraded naked and presented to the king who holds a spear.
Standard of Ur 2600BC back – mosaic peace panel – Journey to Ancient Civilizations
The ‘Peace’ panel depicts animals,
Mesopotamia 6-Standard of Ur mosaic animals – kudwinski10108.
The Standard of Ur mosaic animal detail – mharrsch
The Standard of Ur mosaic banquet procession detail (1) – mharrsch
fish and other goods brought in procession to a banquet.
The Standard of Ur mosaic seated figures detail (2) – mharrsch
Seated figures, wearing woollen fleeces or fringed skirts,
The Standard of Ur mosaic musician playing lyre detail (4) – mharrsch
drink to the accompaniment of a musician playing a lyre.
The Standard of Ur mosaic banquet detail(3) – mharrsch
Banquet scenes such as this are common on cylinder seals of the period, such as on the seal of the ‘Queen’ Pu-abi, also in the British Museum. The Standard of Ur – The British Museum
33 comments
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August 14, 2007 at 2:11 am
Felicity
The standard of Ur can tell us a lot about Mesopotamin history, around the time of the Sumerians.
It is wonderful that it has been excavated in such a fine condition.
September 7, 2007 at 9:47 pm
ME!
This site has helped me alot on my hisotry assignment. and it’s really acutally quite interesting.
November 4, 2007 at 8:35 am
Moi!
This really helped me making my history-assignment!
November 4, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Texas Gifts
It is truly incredible to think that beautiful works of art like this were being created 2400 BC! Such a brilliant window on the world of Mesopotamia, a real gem.
March 14, 2008 at 5:43 am
candygirl95
This site totally rocks dude
May 21, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Person
first off; this is copied word for word from the brittish museum website, and second; it wasn’t excacated in good condition at all, the version o f the Standard of Ur that we know today is just a restoration of the original… it was in very bad condition when it was excavated…
August 29, 2008 at 8:16 pm
HIstory - Sumer
Looks like I’m not the only one ooking for info on my history assignment!
October 1, 2008 at 6:23 am
Sierra
Thanks this really helped me with my homework!
October 13, 2008 at 12:06 pm
GiulioSye
This site is fantastic! It helped me with my history assignment and gave me the opportunity to see the stendard in the smallest details! I had already seen the mosaic at the Bristish Museum but I did not remember it well!
November 7, 2008 at 2:27 pm
victoria keeton
this is the best web site i have ever seen that will help me on my UPA im doing in school
November 7, 2008 at 2:40 pm
victoria keeton
when i first got to the website i said to my self oh great more world history!but then to my surprise it wasn’t boaring at all it helped me with my UPA alot so i’m hoping i get at least an A or a B
November 7, 2008 at 11:29 pm
heaven naples
this website is awesome it is going to help me with my UPA as well i hope i do great!!!!!!!!!!!
November 9, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Brianne Caldwell
Where was The Standard Of Ur discovered, and the date is was discovered?
November 25, 2008 at 3:16 pm
trytuio
what are standards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 26, 2009 at 9:34 am
me
cool
February 26, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Katherine bolman
My web site is being created to make the history art and architecture accessable to everyone. Your work here will make a huge difference in the way I will be able to work with this piece.
Please look at ahaafoundation.org to see what I am doing. At the moment I have gone around the prehistoric world and the early villages period. So come on a walk about with me and let me know if you find this a learning tool for others.
I would deeply appreciate the effort.
March 8, 2009 at 12:40 pm
aadrox
Nice collection, now I can work on my project.
August 12, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Katherine Bolman, PhD
aadrox, what is your project?
Katherine Bolman
October 15, 2009 at 10:04 am
adadd
this is intersting
October 15, 2009 at 10:00 am
aiieghh
i dont get this crud
October 15, 2009 at 10:02 am
aiieghh
useriously reply i dont get it
October 15, 2009 at 10:03 am
aiieghh
mama mia
October 15, 2009 at 10:03 am
adadd
Wow I didn’t know that this could be so intresting. It seems weird though.
October 15, 2009 at 10:04 am
aiieghh
yep
October 16, 2009 at 10:52 am
cookiemonster
go me im awesome
October 16, 2009 at 10:50 am
cookiemonster
hey people im crazy
October 16, 2009 at 10:51 am
cookiemonster
r u there cuz im crazy
October 16, 2009 at 10:54 am
cookiemonster
hey funky monkey
October 16, 2009 at 10:56 am
cookiemonster
funk funk funk funk funk funk funk
October 16, 2009 at 10:56 am
Miaa
THIS IS AWESOME
October 16, 2009 at 10:59 am
cookiemonster
ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho oh yeah
October 23, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Samantha
This is really cool. I didn’t learn anything though…………… I’ve seen the real version of the standard of Ur before because my great grandmpa discovered it.
November 13, 2009 at 8:39 am
Dave Roberts
It is indeed a fine piece of art. But it just does not bear comparison with Egyptian art of the same period. Try Googling Statue of Khafre… Statue of Rahotep…Tomb of Mereruka and follow any available links for more examples to see what I mean. I am not being precious here, but credit where credit is due and to Egypt goes the prize!