6 Chapter 2.2: Sumerian Architecture and Art

SUMERIAN ARCHITECTURE

The introductory videos on Ancient Mesopotamia and the Sumerians conveyed the religious character of the Sumerians. The Sumerian devotion to their gods was manifest in the great religious complexes that stood at the heart of the city. Like the ancient Egyptians the Sumerians were capable of building on a monumental scale and great architectural feats. The videos below explore one of the hallmark building types of the ancient Sumerians.

British Museum Middle east 14022019 Panel Imdugud 2500 BC 3640.jpg
Tell al-‘Ubaid Copper Lintel. Copper panel excavated from the Sumerian city of Tell al-‘Ubaid in 1919. 8.5 feet by 3.5 feet. C. 2600-2400 B.C.E. CCO. In the collection at The British Museum. It is thought that this piece was an architectural decoration, placed above a door to a temple.

Artstor gallery for UNO Students

Follow this link for a gallery of Sumerian art on Arstor. This resource is only available  to UNO students.  If you are off-campus, you will be prompted to log in.  For a refresher on using Artstor, see the UNO Librarires Artstor libguide.

Sumerian Architecture TASK 1

The short reading and video below explore the most significant type of structure created by the ancient Sumerians and used throughout Mesopotamia. After reading/viewing the sources, please answer the accompanying questions.

Anu Ziggurat of Uruk – (you will have the information needed to complete this assignment in the first 6 minutes)

White Temple and Ziggurat, Uruk (article) 

Please follow this link to access and read the article, before proceeding to the prompts below.

 

Depiction of the White Temple and ziggurat at Uruk. The Annu Ziggurat was constructed around 4,000 B.C.E., while the White Temple was constructed around 500 years later. Public Domain.
The Annu Ziggurat and White Temple ruins as seen today. Credit: Wikimedia user Tobeytravels, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Sumerian Architecture TASK 1 prompts:

To whom was the Ziggurat dedicated?

What was the form, function, and materials of the Ziggurat?

What is the relationship of the Ziggurat to the theocratic political system of the time?

What are the significant features of the White Temple?

SUMERIAN ART AND RELIGION

Many of the Sumerian objects that survive had a religious purpose or depicted imagery that reflected their beliefs.

Below are sources on different Sumerian objects that were used in their religious worship or depicted some aspect of their religious beliefs. After reading/viewing the information on each object, please answer the accompanying questions.

Standing Male Worshiper from Tell Asmar TASK

Standing male worshiper, Gypsum alabaster, shell, black limestone, bitumen, Sumerian
Standing male worshipper, C. 2900-2600 B.C.E. The sculpture stands 11 5/8 inches tall.  Gypsum alabaster, shell, black limestone, bitumen. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Public Domain.

Standing Male Worshiper from Tell Asmar TASK 1 prompt:

Where and with what was this found?

What was the original purpose of this object?

What are the prominent stylistic characteristics of this object?

How does its manner of representation relate to its function?

Sumerian Vases TASK 1: 

Watch the following video and read the linked article, then respond to the prompts below.

Ancient Near East – The Uruk Vase 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBn12dYKsnA

Warka Vase – Khan Academy (article to read)

Please follow this link to an article about the Warka Vase, then respond to the prompts.

The Warka Vase, found in a temple complex devoted to the Sumerian goddess Inanna in Uruk. Excavated in 1933/4. 3 feet, 1/4 inches tall. Alabaster. Currently held in the National Museum of Iraq. The vase is one of the earliest known works of narrative relief sculpture. Credit: Osama Shukir Muhammad Amin, CC BY-SA 4.0. Dr. Amin has assembled a large collection of photos of Mesopotamian sculpture, which can be seen by following this link.

 

Sumerian Vases TASK 1 prompts: 

Which aspects demonstrate that it was a significant object?

What is taking place in the image (the upper register is most significant)?

SUMERIAN ART AND BURIAL

An astounding discovery of early dynastic Sumerian tombs from Ur shed light on the luxury enjoyed by these wealthy families.

 

Bulls head from the Queen’s Lyre, one of the stringed instruments recovered from the Royal Tombs of UR. Gold, limestone, lapis lazuli, shell. C. 2500 B.C.E. Credit: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin. CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Queen’s Gold Lyre, c. Reconstruction. The original dates from 2500 B.C.E. The Lyres of UR are the second-oldest stringed instruments ever discovered. Credit: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Sumerian Art and Burial TASKS:

The sources below describe the way the owners of the so-called Royal Tombs at Ur were buried and the role that artworks played in the burial. After viewing the videos, please answer the accompanying prompts.

Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur

Sumerian Art and Burial TASKS prompt: The Royal Tombs of UR

Archaeologist:

Site of tombs:

Significance of royal tombs:

Treasures from tomb of Queen Puabi:

Occupants of tombs (beside ruler) and how deaths occurred:

Objects found in the tombs (select 2):

Royal Cemetery of Ur 

Sumerian Art and Burial TASKS prompt: Royal Cemetery of UR

What is the inequality to which the lecturer draws attention? How is it expressed in the tombs and the objects within them?

Expedition – Powerful Women of Ur 

Sumerian Art and Burial TASKS prompt: Powerful Women of UR

What evidence is there for the religious and political leadership of women?

 

Bonus content:

Ever wonder what music sounded like 4,500 years ago?  Here is a video of an accurate reconstruction of one of the Lyres of UR being played:

 

 

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Survey of Western Art History I Copyright © 2022 by Amy Morris is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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