Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur

by Lee Horne (Editor), Richard L. Zettler (Editor)

This stunning catalogue includes color photographs of more than 230 objects, excavated in the 1930s by renowned British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley, from the third-millennium-B.C. Sumerian city of Ur. Learn the fascinating story of the excavation and preservation of these magnificent artifacts.

Many of the objects are published in color and fully described for the first time jewelry of gold and semiprecious stones, engraved seal stones, spectacular gold and lapis lazuli statuettes and musical instruments; and vessels of gold, silver, and alabaster. Curator Richard Zettler sets the stage with a history of Ur in the third millennium and the details of the actual excavations. Art historians Donald Hansen and Holly Pittman discuss the historical importance and significance of the many motifs on the most spectacular finds from the tombs."

Genres: Nonfiction, History

220 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book cataloguing the Sumerian treasures that the archaeologist Leonard Woolley excavated in Mesopotamia in the 1930's. You read about the history of the Sumerians, the site dig and the magnificent finds that were discovered. There are numerous illustrations of the beautiful jewellery, resplendent head dresses, ceramics and impressive artwork. This discovery is just as fascinating as Tutankhamun's and equally as important.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume brings a better understanding of the ruins I see each day here in Iraq. A wonderful collection of the personal item of the people who founded a great city and civilization over 4000 years ago. Also adds insight to the life of Abram, son of Terah, who later was known as Abraham written of in the Hebrew Scriptures,in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible of Christians, and of the beliefs of the Islam faith.

[MB (What she read)]

Following rabbit trails from the fiction novel Twilight in Babylon led me here. What an amazing archaeological find. I think this too little known period of history is fascinating!