DOCSLIB.ORG

Swords and Daggers, Spearpoints, Shields, Armour and Helmets

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Swords and Daggers, Spearpoints, Shields, Armour and Helmets LATE ASSYRIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR: ART VERSUS ARTIFACT by Amy E. Barron A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. © Copyright by Amy E. Barron (2010) Late Assyrian Arms and Armour: Art versus Artifact Amy E. Barron Doctor of Philosophy Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto 2010 Abstract The present study was intended as a new approach to the study of the military equipment of the Late Assyrian period which has traditionally relied upon the pictorial representations of the palace reliefs. By examining extant artifacts from the first millennium in their own right, with the reliefs merely serving to contextualize them, a truer understanding of Assyrian arms and armour can be gathered. This is necessary because the artwork only provides us with a filtered view of the real world, the reliefs are as much works of propaganda as of history. The approach taken here is to first examine the existing weapons typologically, and then to evaluate whether such weapon types appear to be accurately represented in contemporary artwork. Textual sources are also used where they can aid in the discussion. Five categories of arms and armour were studied: swords and daggers, spearpoints, shields, armour and helmets. The quality and quantity of the items in these categories varied significantly, providing for a much better representative sample of some items than others. Further questions concerning the possible ritual, rather than military, use of some of the existing artifacts were raised. However, the main conclusions reached were that the reliefs suffer not only from a propagandistic viewpoint which sometimes obscures the reality of Assyrian warfare, but that they also suffer from artistic license and spatial restraints, the difficulties in representing three-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional manner, the possible unfamiliarity ii of the artists with changing military technology and methods of construction, and finally, our inability to understand artistic short-hand for what were commonplace objects to the contemporary viewer. These have led to misunderstanding both as to the dating and chronological changes in weaponry, and also to the tactics used by the Late Assyrian military. This study of the artifacts themselves reveals a more mundane, utilitarian, and conservative military force which shows both a basic homogeneousness throughout the empire, and the myriad tiny variables of an army on the move drawing weapons and troops from many regions. iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank the many people who helped me and supported me along the path to finishing what so often seemed like an overwhelming project. Firstly, my original thesis supervisor, T. Cuyler Young who could both inspire and terrify a new graduate student, and who first introduced me to the collegial atmosphere of the academic world, where professors and students could sit around informally discussing ideas and swapping stories. After Cuyler‟s death, Tim Harrison stepped up to the plate and became my supervisor for which I am grateful. He has provided invaluable assistance along the way and toiled through many versions of my thesis. I also wish to express my gratitude to Grant Frame who supported my endeavours not only by being part of my thesis committee from the very beginning, but through my continued involvement with the Royal Inscriptions of Mesopotamia Project. The financial support of the RIM project and working as a TA for Grant made it possible to continue my studies. Even after his move to the University of Pennsylvania Grant still aided me through this process with his support both academically and personally. The rest of my committee, Paul-Alain Beaulieu and Clemens Reichel, both willingly stepped in quite late in the process, and their comments and efforts for a project they had been thrown into the deep end of were appreciated, as were the valuable comments and insights of Richard Zettler. During the long process of this study I dealt with the staff of many institutions without whom I could never have proceeded. Among these I would particularly like to thank the late Roger Moorey at the Ashmolean in Oxford, Bill Pratt at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Christopher Thornton of the Hasanlu Project, University of Pennsylvania, and John Curtis and the ever helpful staff at the British Museum in London. I would also commend the British iv Museum for their exemplary online database of artifacts providing a great deal of information to overseas scholars when they cannot always get to London, and helping to prepare for trips when they can. In the technological world in which we live this should be a role model for other museums. Further thanks must go to Maynard Maidman for his advice on the material from Nuzi, and to Chief Warrant Officer Ralph Brothers and various members of the Governor General‟s Horse Guards for discussions on the capabilities of mounted lancers. Despite all the advice and assistance I have received from so many people, all final errors or omissions are my own. I would never have made it to the end of this project or kept my sanity were it not for those two administrative wonders who keep the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and all of its students on the correct path: Anna Sousa and Jennie Jones. May the two of you someday get back a hundredfold all the goodness you spread to others. Finally, to Professor Sadek of the University of Guelph, a belated thank you, for without your classes in ancient art history I might never have been seduced to the path of archaeology and saved from the monotony of BioSci. On a more personal note, I would like to thank my friends and colleagues for asking me how it was going and even greater thanks for those who understood it was better not to ask. Hugs to my mother who bought me birthday presents of books with titles she thought odd and uninteresting, photocopied long sections of British dissertations and mailed them to me, and read the final manuscript for editing. She instilled in me a love for all things academic and has followed every step of this process with interest and enthusiasm. Thanks are also due, of course, to my husband and my adorable daughters (Isobel and Alexandra) who will be glad to get their Mummy back. Last of all, I dedicate this work to my grandparents, you are very much missed. --Toronto, 2009 v Table of Contents Abstract ii Acknowledgements iv Table of Contents vi List of Figures viii List of Assyrian Rulers and Regnal Dates x I. Introduction............................................................................................................... 1 I.1 Previous studies............................................................................................. 5 I.2 The Column of Trajan: A comparable approach........................................... 12 I.3 Archaeological sites....................................................................................... 20 I.3.1 Nimrud I.3.2 Balawat I.3.3 Khorsabad I.3.4 Nineveh I.3.5 Hasanlu and Dinkha Tepe I.3.6 Urartu I.3.7 Syro-Palestine I.4 Metal working................................................................................................ 38 I.5 Methodology.................................................................................................. 41 II. Swords and Daggers.................................................................................................. 46 II.1 Artifactual evidence....................................................................................... 46 II.1.1 Artifacts from Assyria II.1.2 Artifacts from Hasanlu II.2 Pictorial evidence........................................................................................... 60 II.2.1 Swords II.2.2 Daggers II.3 Summary observations................................................................................... 68 Figures....................................................................................................................... 71 III. Spearheads................................................................................................................. 79 III.1 Artifactual evidence....................................................................................... 79 III.1.1 Artifacts from Nimrud III.1.2 Artifacts from Nineveh III.1.3 Artifacts from Hasanlu III.1.4 Artifacts from Syro-Palestine III.2 Pictorial and textual evidence........................................................................ 96 III.3 Summary observations................................................................................... 102 Figures....................................................................................................................... 106 vi IV. Shields........................................................................................................................ 113 IV.1 Artifactual evidence....................................................................................... 113 IV.1.1 Artifacts from Nimrud IV.1.2 Artifacts from Urartu IV.1.3 Artifacts from Hasanlu IV.2 Pictorial evidence........................................................................................... 120 IV.2.1 Round shields IV.2.2 Tower shields IV.2.3 Rectangular shields IV.2.4 Palisade shields IV.3 Textual evidence...........................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Bible Unearthed an Introduction to Biblical Archaeology for the Disciple in the U.K
    The Bible Unearthed An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology for the Disciple in the U.K. CONTENTS PAGE No. Why disciples need to know about biblical archaeology 1 What Indiana Jones never told you about inscriptions, the evidence for the Flood, the reliability of the biblical manuscripts, coins and places mentioned in the Bible that we have found. 2 Where to find things in the British Museum 14 What else you can read to find out more 15 The notes you always wanted to help you 16 tour the British Museum on your own Jon Yorke Birmingham International Church of Christ, UK March 2002 The Bible Unearthed: An Introduction to Biblical Archaeology for the disciple in the U.K. Why disciples need to know about biblical archaeology… The Bible Unearthed It is one of the main areas of evidence we can use to support the reliability of the Bible. This strengthens our own faith and gives us added conviction in a world which seems to believe increasingly that Bible-believers are people who ignore facts and science. In this paper are facts which you can master and use to help your friends find hope in Jesus. What is biblical archaeology? Put simply, it is archaeology that relates to the Bible. What then is archaeology?1 It is the study of discovered ancient findings; a) antiquities - ancient man-made relics, and, b) fossil bones. Archaeology is not an exact science, and when reading journals and books you will find that many discoveries undergo subjective analysis and interpretation. Archaeologists sometimes do not produce sufficient final reports of excavations, and this hinders true identification of discoveries.
    [Show full text]
  • Article 5 DOI:10.5508/Jhs.2012.V12.A5
    Journal of Hebrew Scriptures Volume 12, Article 5 DOI:10.5508/jhs.2012.v12.a5 History in the Eye of the Beholder? Social Location and Allegations of Racial/Colonial Biases in Reconstructions of Sennacherib’s Invasion of Judah PAUL S EVANS Articles in JHS are being indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, RAMBI, and BiBIL. Their abstracts appear in Religious and Theological Abstracts. The journal is archived by Library and Archives Canada and is accessible for consultation and research at the Electronic Collection site maintained by Library and Archives Canada. ISSN 1203–1542 http://www.jhsonline.org and http://purl.org/jhs HISTORY IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER? SOCIAL LOCATION & ALLEGATIONS OF RACIAL/COLONIAL BIASES IN RECONSTRUC- * TIONS OF SENNACHERIB’S INVASION OF JUDAH PAUL S. EVANS MCMASTER DIVINITY COLLEGE, CANADA INTRODUCTION Sennacherib’s third campaign is one of the more thoroughly inves- tigated events that intersects with biblical history. The fact that there are three biblical narratives (2 Kgs 18–19; Isa 36–37; 2 Chr 32) concerned with the Assyrian campaign against Judah under- scores its obvious importance to the biblical writers. The existence of multiple copies of Assyrian annals that refer to these events, as well as the “Lachish reliefs” pictorially depicting the Assyrian siege and sacking of the Judahite city during the same campaign, likely explains why the events have captured the imagination of biblical scholars and historians alike.1 Some of the chief debates concerning * The nucleus of this essay was presented at the Annual Congress of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies which met in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada in May, 2011.
    [Show full text]
  • 2 the Assyrian Empire, the Conquest of Israel, and the Colonization of Judah 37 I
    ISRAEL AND EMPIRE ii ISRAEL AND EMPIRE A Postcolonial History of Israel and Early Judaism Leo G. Perdue and Warren Carter Edited by Coleman A. Baker LONDON • NEW DELHI • NEW YORK • SYDNEY 1 Bloomsbury T&T Clark An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Imprint previously known as T&T Clark 50 Bedford Square 1385 Broadway London New York WC1B 3DP NY 10018 UK USA www.bloomsbury.com Bloomsbury, T&T Clark and the Diana logo are trademarks of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc First published 2015 © Leo G. Perdue, Warren Carter and Coleman A. Baker, 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Leo G. Perdue, Warren Carter and Coleman A. Baker have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Authors of this work. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by Bloomsbury or the authors. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN: HB: 978-0-56705-409-8 PB: 978-0-56724-328-7 ePDF: 978-0-56728-051-0 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Typeset by Forthcoming Publications (www.forthpub.com) 1 Contents Abbreviations vii Preface ix Introduction: Empires, Colonies, and Postcolonial Interpretation 1 I.
    [Show full text]
  • The Depiction of the Arsacid Dynasty in Medieval Armenian Historiography 207
    Azat Bozoyan The Depiction of the ArsacidDynasty in Medieval Armenian Historiography Introduction The Arsacid, or Parthian, dynasty was foundedinthe 250s bce,detaching large ter- ritories from the Seleucid Kingdom which had been formed after the conquests of Alexander the Great.This dynasty ruled Persia for about half amillennium, until 226 ce,when Ardashir the Sasanian removed them from power.Under the Arsacid dynasty,Persia became Rome’smain rival in the East.Arsacid kingsset up theirrel- ativesinpositions of power in neighbouringstates, thus making them allies. After the fall of the Artaxiad dynasty in Armenia in 66 ce,Vologases IofParthia, in agree- ment with the RomanEmpire and the Armenian royal court,proclaimed his brother Tiridates king of Armenia. His dynasty ruled Armenia until 428 ce.Armenian histor- iographical sources, beginning in the fifth century,always reserved aspecial place for that dynasty. MovsēsXorenacʽi(Moses of Xoren), the ‘Father of Armenian historiography,’ at- tributed the origin of the Arsacids to the Artaxiad kingswho had ruled Armenia be- forehand. EarlyArmenian historiographic sources provide us with anumber of tes- timoniesregarding various representativesofthe Arsacid dynasty and their role in the spread of Christianity in Armenia. In Armenian, as well as in some Syriac histor- ical works,the origin of the Arsacids is related to King AbgarVof Edessa, known as the first king to officiallyadopt Christianity.Armenian and Byzantine historiograph- ical sources associate the adoption of Christianity as the state religion in Armenia with the Arsacid King Tiridates III. Gregory the Illuminator,who playedamajor role in the adoption of Christianity as Armenia’sstate religion and who even became widelyknown as the founder of the Armenian Church, belongstoanother branch of the samefamily.
    [Show full text]
  • The Elamite Cylinder Seal Corpus, C.3500 – 1000 BC
    The Elamite Cylinder Seal Corpus, c.3500 – 1000 BC Volume I, Part III K. J. Roach Doctor of Philosophy, (Near Eastern) Archaeology 2008 The University of Sydney Chapter 5 – Summary of Style Distribution across the Elamite Sites The purpose of this chapter is to detail and outline the specific glyptic style distribution at each site included in the Corpus. This survey has two main objectives. The first is the summation and discussion of the Elamite styles from each site, and thereby the revision and reassessment of the ‘glyptic material’ survey presented for each site in the initial site survey section (Chapter 2), by detailing the site glyptic material in the terms of the new Elamite stylistic paradigm here presented. The second intention is to provide some of the background information and data, be it contextual, stylistic and chronological, regarding the function of various glyptic items at each site and across Elam, thereby enabling the following discussion on glyptic function (Chapter 6). The style distribution (how many styles and in what proportions) of each site will be presented, and thereby the basic chronological distribution of the glyptic material, with any necessary discussion where this information strongly contradicts the established chronological periodisation of a site, will be outlined. The glyptic material types (seals/sealings) and the specific materials will be presented, as will any information regarding seal function from provenance (that is, grave or temple context etc.) or type (sealing type especially). For the most part, this information may be presented and detailed in graphs, figures and tables. 5.1 Susa As already mentioned and explained, Susa has contributed by far the most items to the Corpus.
    [Show full text]
  • From Small States to Universalism in the Pre-Islamic Near East
    REVOLUTIONIZING REVOLUTIONIZING Mark Altaweel and Andrea Squitieri and Andrea Mark Altaweel From Small States to Universalism in the Pre-Islamic Near East This book investigates the long-term continuity of large-scale states and empires, and its effect on the Near East’s social fabric, including the fundamental changes that occurred to major social institutions. Its geographical coverage spans, from east to west, modern- day Libya and Egypt to Central Asia, and from north to south, Anatolia to southern Arabia, incorporating modern-day Oman and Yemen. Its temporal coverage spans from the late eighth century BCE to the seventh century CE during the rise of Islam and collapse of the Sasanian Empire. The authors argue that the persistence of large states and empires starting in the eighth/ seventh centuries BCE, which continued for many centuries, led to new socio-political structures and institutions emerging in the Near East. The primary processes that enabled this emergence were large-scale and long-distance movements, or population migrations. These patterns of social developments are analysed under different aspects: settlement patterns, urban structure, material culture, trade, governance, language spread and religion, all pointing at population movement as the main catalyst for social change. This book’s argument Mark Altaweel is framed within a larger theoretical framework termed as ‘universalism’, a theory that explains WORLD A many of the social transformations that happened to societies in the Near East, starting from Andrea Squitieri the Neo-Assyrian period and continuing for centuries. Among other infl uences, the effects of these transformations are today manifested in modern languages, concepts of government, universal religions and monetized and globalized economies.
    [Show full text]
  • Bibliographiae
    Keilschriftbibliographie. 49 1* BIBLIOGRAPHIAE Keilschriftbibliographie. 49 1987 (Mit Nachträgen aus früheren Jahren) H. KLENGEL ־ K. DELLER Die nachstehende Bibliographie wurde zwischen dem 29. April 1987 und dem 5. März 1988 kompiliert. Besonderen Dank für die Bereitstellung von bibliographi- sehen Informationen schulden die Bearbeiter R. M. Boehmer (Berlin), R. I. Caplice (dzt. Chicago), B. Fliegel (Berlin), Ch. E. Jones (Chicago), A. Kammenhuber (Mün- chen), M. Popko (Warszawa), W. von Soden (Münster), K. Waetzoldt (Heidelberg) und M. Yoshikawa (Hiroshima). Bei der Gestaltung des Manuskripts halfen in Hei- delberg K. Beck, M. Blumhofer und E. Seling; für ihre Bemühungen bedanken sich die Bearbeiter ebenfalls. Die Anschriften der Bearbeiter lauten: Prof. K. Deller, Assyriologie, Sandgasse 7, D-6900 Heidelberg; Prof. H. Klengel, Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR, Zentralinstitut für Alte Geschichte und Archäologie, Leipziger Straße 3/4, DDR- 1086 Berlin. Abkürzungen AAAS = Annales archéologiques arabes syriennes (Damas); AA W = Anzeiger fur die Altertumswissenschaft (Innsbruck); AcOr = Acta Orientaba (Copenhagen); AÉPHÉR = Annuaire. École Pratique des Hautes Études. Ve section: Sciences reli- gieuses (Paris); AHR = American Historical Review (Washington, DC); AIUON = Annali dell'Istituto Universitario Orientale, Napoli; AlßN = Annali del Seminario di Studi del Mondo Classico e del Mediterraneo Antico, Sezione linguistica, Istituto Universitario Orientale, Napoli; AJ = Antiquaries Journal (London); AJA = Ameri- can Journal of Archaeology
    [Show full text]
  • The Great City
    Morandi Bonacossi (eds) Bonacossi Morandi & Petit NINEVEH, THE GREAT CITY ‘Well, as for Nineveh, skipper, it was wiped out long ago. There’s not a trace of it left, and one can’t even guess where it was’ (Lucian, 2nd century AD). Nineveh, the once-flourishing capital of the Assyrian Empire, has fascinated writers, travellers and historians alike since its complete annihilation by allied forces in 612 BC. It was said to have been a great and populous city with 90-km walls, stunning palaces and colossal statues of pure gold. Since 1842 archaeologists have been investigating CITY GREAT THE NINEVEH, the ruins of Nineveh, which are located on the eastern banks of the river Tigris, near the modern Iraqi city of Mosul. The hundreds of thousands of objects that have been collected tell an intriguing story of life and death in a remarkable Mesopotamian city. The edited volume Nineveh, the Great City contains more than 65 articles by international specialists, providing the reader with a detailed and thorough study of the site of Nineveh. It describes the history of the city, the excavations and the dispersed material culture that can today be appreciated in more than 100 museums and institutes around the world. Special attention is paid to the endangered heritage of Nineveh, which recently faced destruction for the second time in its history. This lavishly illustrated volume is intended to appeal to readers interested NINEVEH in culture and heritage, as well as to students and professional academics. THE GREAT CITY Symbol of Beauty and Power edited by L.P.
    [Show full text]
  • COMMON ROOTS? See Page 4 LETTERS
    <\ MAGAZINE FOR CLERGY JULY 1979 COMMON ROOTS? see page 4 LETTERS Joy in diversity attempts to do, we must come to terms God©s infallible Word. Therefore, I re Coining from the more liberal wing of with the theological issues. (2) But we joice when that same Lord Jesus opens my denomination, I find articles in MIN must also pay attention to the civil issues my vision to meet new brothers and new ISTRY with which I do not agree, but so the cults present us. Failure to be vigi stimuli that enrich my thinking. Both are what? Your magazine is always interest lant may well deprive us of the freedom very important today when the church ing whether I agree with it or not. One of to do the theological task at all. continues to splinter so badly on issues the joys of Christian faith, as I have Catholic priest that concern men but not the Lord. I am experienced it over the years, is living New Mexico grateful that Jesus© prayer (that they may and working with people who do not be one) was heard once again when MrN- always agree with me in theology and No neutrality on sin ISTRY was delivered to my mailbox. liturgy, but who find plenty of room Two questions came to my mind as I Christian Reformed minister within Christianity to live out the call of read "Counseling the Family in Crisis," Michigan Christ in fellowship and love. As I have by Clifford Achord (March, 1979). Can a read MINISTRY, that is exactly the spirit it counselor who is genuinely convinced of I admit to being somewhat shocked to is furthering.
    [Show full text]
  • A History Ofthe World Objects
    A HISTORY OFTHE WORLD IN100 OBJECTS Neil MacGregor TheB ntis• • h IIIIIIIRADIOQ Museum 92-95FM PENGUIN BOOKS PENGUIN BOOKS Published by the Penguin Group Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London wc2R ORL,England Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto,Ontario, Canada M4P 2Y 3 (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) Penguin Ireland, 2 5 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2,Ireland (a division of Penguin BooksLtd) Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell,Victoria 3124,Australia (a division of Pearson AustraliaGroup Pty Ltd) Penguin BooksIndia Pvt Ltd, 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi - 110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale,Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Block D, Rosebank Office Park, 181 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North,Gauteng 2193, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London wc2R ORL,England www.penguin.com First published by Allen Lane 2010 Published in Penguin Books 2012 020 Copyright© the Trustees of the British Museum and the BBC, 2012 The moral right of the author has beenasserted By arrangement with the BBC and the British Museum The BBC logo and the Radio 4 logo are registered trademarks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence BBC logo copyright© BBC, 1996 Radio 4 logo copyright © 2008 The British Museum logo is a registered trademark of the British Museum
    [Show full text]
  • The Early Chronology of Sumer and Egypt and the Similarities in Their Culture Author(S): S
    Egypt Exploration Society The Early Chronology of Sumer and Egypt and the Similarities in Their Culture Author(s): S. Langdon Source: The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, Vol. 7, No. 3/4 (Oct., 1921), pp. 133-153 Published by: Egypt Exploration Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3853561 . Accessed: 09/10/2013 13:06 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Egypt Exploration Society is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 35.8.11.2 on Wed, 9 Oct 2013 13:06:30 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 133 THE EARLY CHRONOLOGY OF SUMER AND EGYPT AND THE SIMILARITIES IN THEIR CULTURE BY PROFESSORS. LANGDON, M.A. WE now possess, in almost complete form, trustworthy material for reconstructing the chronology of the early history of Mesopotamian civilization. Hitherto the earliest date established with reasonable certainty by dead reckoning and astronomy was 2474 B.C.,that being the date of the founding of the Sumerian empire of Ur by Ur-Engur. This date is still disputed by some Assyriologists, notably by Weidner, who reduces it by about a century and a half; but, so far as the present state of our knowledge permits us to judge, its accuracy seems indisputable, for it is controlled by several statements of dead reckoning in the inscriptions, as well as by Berossus.
    [Show full text]
  • A HISTORY of the WORLD in 100 OBJECTS Neil Macgregor
    A HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN 100 OBJECTS Neil MacGregor THE EBB RADI a BRITISH ° MUSEUM 92-95 FM ALLEN LANE an imprint of PENGUIN BOOKS Contents Preface: Mission Impossible xiii Introduction: Signals from the Past xv PART ONE Making us Human 2,000,000-9000 BC 1. Mummy of Hornedj itef 2 2. Olduvai Stone Chopping Tool 9 3. Olduvai Handaxe 15 4. Swimming Reindeer 19 5. Clovis Spear Point 26 PART TWO After the Ice Age: Food and Sex 9000-3500 BC 6. Bird-shaped Pestle 32 7. Ain Sakhri Lovers Figurine 37 8. Egyptian Clay Model of Cattle 43 9. Maya Maize God Statue 49 10. JomonPot 55 PART THREE The First Cities and States 4OOO-2OOO BC 11. King Den's Sandal Label 62 12. Standard of Ur 68 i). Indus Seal 78 14. Jade Axe 84 ij\ Early Writing Tablet 90 Vll CONTENTS PART FOUR The Beginnings of Science and Literature 2000-700 BC 16. Flood Tablet 96 iy. Rhind Mathematical Papyrus 102 18. Minoan Bull-leaper 111 19. Mold Gold Cape 117 20. Statue of Ramesses II 124 PART FIVE Old World, New Powers IIOO-3OO BC 21. Lachish Reliefs 132 22. Sphinx of Taharqo 140 23. Chinese Zhou Ritual Vessel 146 24. ParacasTextile 153 25. Gold Coin of Croesus 158 PART six The World in the Age of Confucius 500-300 BC 2.6. Oxus Chariot Model 164 27. Parthenon Sculpture: Centaur and Lapith 171 28. Basse-Yutz Flagons 177 29. Olmec Stone Mask 183 30. Chinese Bronze Bell 190 PART SEVEN Empire Builders 300 BC-AD 10 31.
    [Show full text]