Mesopotamia 6000-1500 (Room 56)

The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Gallery

6000 – 1550 BC

Between 6000 and 1550 BC, Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (now Iraq, north east Syria and part of south east Turkey) witnessed crucial advancements in the development of human civilization during the evolution from small agricultural settlements to large cities.

Objects on display in Room 56 illustrate economic success based on agriculture, the invention of writing, developments in technology and artistry, and other achievements of the Sumerians, Akkadians, and Babylonians, who lived in Mesopotamia at this time. Objects found at the Royal Cemetery at Ur are of particular importance.

Image captions (clockwise from top left):

The Standard of Ur 2600-2400 BC

The "Ram in a Thicket" 2600-2400 BC

The Royal Game of Ur 2600-2400 BC

The Queen of the Night 4th century AD