Context Title: Giparu | KP     
Context Name (Excavation): KP; King's Palace     
Context Name (Publication): Gig-par-ku; Giparu; E.GIG.PAR     
Context Description: The excavation area given the abbreviation KP was eventually found to be the site of the ancient building known as the giparu (alternatively e-gig-par or gig-par-ku). Mostly dedicated to the goddess Nin-gal, Nanna's consort, it was also in various periods the residence of the entu priestess. The abbreviation KP, however, stands for King's Palace because Woolley initially thought this might be the site of Shulgi's palace, the ehursag. The giparu was a very long-lived building, though it underwent many changes over many centuries. Most striking were the changes in the Neo-Babylonian period when Woolley shows it combining with the dublalmah to the east. He believed that by this point the building was not sufficient to house the Ningal temple and the entu priestess together, and thus the so-called Palace of Belshaltinannar was constructed outside the temenos specifically to house the priestess herself. At times Woolley refers to the giparu as the Great Ningal Temple, which can be confusing as the Kassite and Neo-Bablyonian Ningal temples had moved onto the ziggurat terrace to the north of the giparu (Area HD). Furthermore, parts of the giparu were excavated under area abbreviations other than KP in season 3 when the full extents of the building were only just coming to light. The northern portion originally carried the abbreviation HDB and the southeastern portion, SF.     
Season Number: 03: 1924-1925      
Season Number: 04: 1925-1926      

Objects: Giparu | KP Export: JSON - XML - CSV Clay Seals and Sealings

Object U Number Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) Museum Number (BM Registration Number) Museum Number (UPM B-number) Description (Catalog Card)
6608 (none) (none) B16312 Cylinder seal. Black steatite. Undulating line of mountains and (spread eagle ?) About BC 2800.
6630 (none) (none) B16293 Cylinder seal. Pink steatite. Shamash rising from between two mountains, right hand on one mountain, top left hand supporting notched weapon. Two porters each opening gate, betweeen them high pedestal. 2500 BC? E.
6698 (none) (none) B16298 Cylinder seal. Inscribed. Grey steatite. Introduction of worshipper by goddess to Nannar: smaller figure behind throne of Nannar holding big club. Below and behind throne small figure pulling dragon by the wing; similar figure attacks dragon in front. Attributes: crescent moon resting on post. Balance and pot. Squat monkey (close to knees of Nannar). Inscribed: Ilu-Shamash, Ilu-Aa 1st Babylonian Dynasty. E.
6748A (none) (none) (none) Fragment of seal impressions. (A) Bur-Sin etc. Ur azag-nun-na, minister, son of Arad-dani, judge, thy servant. (B) Same Seal used with Alteration of the royal name into Gimil-Sin the. worshiper introduced to seated Moon God- A lion "Passant" on the side of the throne.
6752 (none) (none) B16283 Cylinder seal. White crystal. Plain. E.
6779A (none) (none) B16299 Cylinder seal. Grey steatite. Presented. Scene of worship. Worshipper interlaced by minor goddess to seated Nannar. Attributes: Crescent moon. Inscription obliterated. Post Sargonid. Pre-3rd Ur Dynasty about 2500 BC
6854 (none) (none) B16303 Cylinder seal. Black steatite. Scene of introduction. Female introduced to enthroned Nannar by minor goddess. Attributes: stork? Scorpion and upright post. E.
6872 (none) (none) B16315 Seal. Stone. Convex on one side, flat on the other. Round incisions on the flat side. Pierced. Before 3000 BC. B.
6896 (none) (none) B16368 Cylinder seal. Grey steatite. Subject obliterated. Linear figures. B.
6899 (none) (none) B16307 Cylinder seal. Black steatite. Inscribed. Winged dragon, rampant, accosted by god, who wears high horned headdress. Behind Gilgamesh and slave? Shaven and shorn carrying a fly whisk? Attributes: crescent moon. Inscribed. Dun-ur kiki dNannar. About 2300 BC.
6960 47-29-075 (none) (none) Clay sealing with seal impression. dGimil dSin, mighty king of Ur, king of the 4 regions of the world - Igianna-ge-zu the minister, son of Araddani the judge, is thy servant. H.C.
6988 (none) (none) B16302 Seal. Amethyst. Blue-violet. Flat on one side, convex on the other but not completely rounded, apex top. Hawk with spread wings, legs crossed in middle of breast. Neo-Babylonian. E.
7000 (none) (none) B16309 Cylinder seal. Black steatite. Rampant lion attacked by two heroes - (like Gilgamesh) 2 posts (supports for emblems)
  • 13 Objects

Media: Giparu | KP Export: JSON - XML - CSV

Media Media Title Title Label Author Omeka Label
Ur Excavations VI; The Ur III Period Ur Excavations VI; The Ur III Period 1974 Woolley, Leonard (none)
Field Photographs Field Photographs GN0637 GN0637 (none)
Field Photographs Field Photographs GN0641 GN0641 (none)
Ur Excavations IX; The Neo-Babylonian and Persian Periods Ur Excavations IX; The Neo-Babylonian and Persian Periods 1962 Woolley, L. and Mallowan, Max (none)
Ur Excavations VII; The Old Babylonian Period Ur Excavations VII; The Old Babylonian Period 1976 Woolley, L. and M. Mallowan (none)
Ur Excavations VIII; The Kassite Period and the period of the Assyrian Kings Ur Excavations VIII; The Kassite Period and the period of the Assyrian Kings 1965 Woolley, Leonard (none)
  • 6 Media