11164 | 1928,1010.3

Description (Catalog Card):	Stela. Originally of wood, (now perished) carved on 2 sides and the ends with mosaic in shell, lapis, and red stone. One side virtually complete, the other badly damaged: one end largely preserved and attached to the side sheet, the other end gone: NB. a goat rampant, in bad condition, belongs to the middle register of this end. 3 registers: on 1-side, war, with soldiers on foot and in chariots: on the other, peace, with the royal family feasting & servants bringing provisions,etc.²
Find Context (Catalog Card):	PG 779 Chamber C.
Material (Catalog Card):	Shell³
Material (Catalog Card):	Lapis lazuli³
Measurement (Catalog Card):	L. 470mm, H. 200mm

U Number:	11164
Museum:	British Museum
Object Type:	Figural Objects >> Plaques/Reliefs >> Stelas
Season Number:	06: 1927-1928
Popular Name:	The Royal Standard of Ur
Description (Modern):	"The Standard of Ur", decorated on four sides with inlaid mosaic scenes made from shell, red limestone and lapis lazuli, set in bitumen. One side shows a war scene; a Sumerian army with wheeled waggons and infantry charges the enemy; prisoners are brought before a larger individual, who is accompanied by guards and has his own waggon waiting behind him. The reverse shows scenes of men are bringing animals, fish etc, possibly as booty or tribute; at the top the same large individual banquets with other men; they are entertained at the right by a singer and a man playing a lyre. The triangular end panels show other scenes; the object was found crushed but has since been restored.¹
Material:	Inorganic Remains >> Stones and Minerals >> Mineral >> Semi-precious >> Lapis Lazuli
Material:	Organic Remains >> Shell
Museum Number (BM Big Number):	121201
Museum Number (BM Registration Number):	1928,1010.3
Notes:	A number of the lapis lazuli tesserae have a groove cut on the polished face with a rough surface below, suggesting they were cut with flint blades and split (Tosi & Piperno 1973).⁴