The Assyrian empire dominated much of the region we now know as the Middle East from the ninth to seventh century BC. The majority of Assyrian material in the British Museum was excavated in northern Iraq, chiefly in the Assyrian capital cities, Nimrud and Nineveh.

As well as magnificent carved reliefs and sculptures, the exhibition displays smaller objects which convey both domestic and ritual life in ancient Assyria. Numerous clay tablets used for keeping administrative records, documenting scientific knowledge, and literature also feature.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA
September 2008 – January 2009

Image: Statue of Ashurnasirpal II, 883-859 BC, from Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq