Royal Standard of Ur

A wooden box decorated in mosaics that constitutes one of the most important and beautiful of the Sumerian artifacts discovered to date in Mesopotamia. The Royal Standard of Ur, also called the Battle Standard of Ur or simply the Standard of Ur, was found in 1927 by the great British archaeologist Charles Leonard Woolley in the royal cemetery of the Sumerian city of Ur. The object measures about 8.5 by 19.5 inches (21 by 50cm) and is covered by inlaid mosaic fragments of shell, red limestone, and lapis lazuli. Estimates for the date of its manufacture range from about 3500 to 2500 B. C., with circa 2600

Pictured is the Standard of Ur, a wooden box decorated in a mosaic design. Among other things, it shows one of the kings of Ur, an army of Sumerians, and the king and his family at a feast. © Bettmann/Corbis

B. c. being the most likely date. Woolley suggested that the box was carried atop a pole as a military standard during parades or processions. However, a few other theories for its use have also been proposed, for instance that it was the sound box for a stringed musical instrument. one of the exquisitely rendered scenes on the box depicts the aftermath of a battle, with four-wheeled chariots drawn by onagers (wild asses), spearmen, and soldiers carrying knives and axes. Some of the soldiers lead enemy prisoners. Another section shows a banquet scene, perhaps celebrating the victory achieved in the battle. The Standard of Ur is presently on display in the British Museum in London.