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1. Limestone and shale mosaic frieze framed in copper from the Ninhursag temple facade al-`Ubaid.
To right of farm shed temple staff milks a cow, and to the left it strains and stores the milk
or makes butter. Ca. 2500 B.C.
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2. A lyre detail from the royal cemetary at Ur, ca. 2600 B.C. showing a bull's head of gold and lapis lazuli.
Partially restored (London: British Museum).
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3. A support in the form of a ram made of gold, lapis lazuli, etc. on a wooden core. From the royal tomb at
Ur. Ca. 2600 B.C. It symbolizes fertility. 50 cm. (London: British Museum).
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4. The so-called "Standard of Ur," which was an inlaid work found crushed in a royal tomb at Ur. Ca.
2600 B.C. The original shape and purpose of this object is unknown, but depicted a victory celebration
at court. Drinking wine with musical accompaniment; bringing food and booty to court (London: British
Museum).
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5. A detail from the "Standard of Ur" showing a fisherman.
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6. Inlaid decoration of restored Sumerian lyre from Ur, 2600 B.C. British Museum. The two deer
mirrored on either side of a sacred tree is a common theme.
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7. During the Akkad period, cuniform matured and ended its use of pictographs, and also it developed
a grammer and individual perspective. Here is such a tablet with a message signed, "Your loving
wife who has had a child."
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