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11th – 8th centuries BC
eyeOpener gallery tour / Free / Daily, 15.45–16.25
Large stone sculptures and reliefs were a striking feature of the palaces and temples of ancient Assyria (modern northern Iraq). An entrance to the royal palace of King Ashurnasirpal II (883-859 BC) at Nimrud was flanked by two colossal winged human-headed lions. A gigantic standing lion stood at the entrance to the nearby Temple of Ishtar, the goddess of war.
Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC More information
Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC
Statue of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC More information
Statue of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC
The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, 858-824 BC More information
The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, 858-824 BC
Stone panel from the Central Palace of Tiglath-pileser III, 730-727 BC More information
Stone panel from the Central Palace of Tiglath-pileser III, 730-727 BC
These sculptures are displayed in Rooms 6a and 6b alongside fragments and replicas of the huge bronze gates of Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC) from Balawat.
A Black Obelisk also on display shows the same king receiving tribute from Israel and is displayed with obelisks and stelae (vertical inscribed stone slabs) from four generations of Assyrian kings.
See this gallery on the floor plan
Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser
Functioning terracotta Roman lamp, £8.99
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