Conservation: 2007. University Museum Near East Section Ur Metals Conservation Treatment Project. IMLS Grant.     
Description (Catalog Card): [A] Copper bull's head and shell plaques [B]. From a wooden harp. The head (?) that of a calf rather than a bull is in good condition except that the horns are both damaged: the eyes are of lapis and shell and a triangular piece of lapis is inlaid in the forehead. The collar was of white shell triangles and lapis square. The shell plaques have, above, 3 rows of geometric design, each row on a separate strip of shell: then a figure scene, a single strip of geometrical design, another figure scene and 2 strips of geometrical design at the base. The figure scenes are in the mosaic, the white shell figures silhouetted against a composite background of lapis. In upper, a figure seated left holds in his raised right hand a cup while an attendant stands before him. In lower scene, 2 figures advance right, each with his hands raised and clasped in front of him. All the figures wear the fleeced skirt with a belt which forms a tail-like tassel behind: all are clean shaven as to the face but the standing figure s have a lock of hair hanging down the back of the head.1     
Find Context (Catalog Card): PG 1332     
Material (Catalog Card): Lapis lazuli3     
Material (Catalog Card): Shell3     
Material (Catalog Card): Copper Alloy3     
U Number: 12435A     
Museum: University of Pennsylvania Museum      
Object Type: Games and Music >> Harps and Lyres      
Season Number: 07: 1928-1929      
Description (Modern): Bulls head     
Description (Modern): Calfs head, copper, and shell mosaics from a harp 2     
Material: Inorganic Remains >> Metal >> Copper Alloy      
Material: Inorganic Remains >> Stones and Minerals >> Mineral >> Semi-precious >> Lapis Lazuli      
Material: Organic Remains >> Shell      
Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number): 30-12-696     
[1] Woolley's description
[2] Modern description
[3] Material as described by Woolley

Locations: 12435A | 30-12-696 Export: JSON - XML - CSV

Location Context Title Context Description Description (Modern)
PG/1332 This grave was essentially two superimposed death pits as it consists of two layers of approximately 20 bodies each about 1 meter apart in depth. Woolley believed they constituted one burial episode but could not completely trace the sides of the pit as parts were badly disturbed and condition in general was not good. No tomb chamber was discovered and Woolley suggested it had been completely destroyed but it is possible that none ever existed and perhaps even that each death pit represents a separate burial event. (none)
  • 1 Location

Media: 12435A | 30-12-696 Export: JSON - XML - CSV

Media Media Title Title Label Author Omeka Label
Ur Excavations II; The Royal Cemetery Ur Excavations II; The Royal Cemetery 1934 Woolley, Leonard (none)
Field Photographs Field Photographs GN1338 GN1338 (none)
Field Photographs Field Photographs GN1299 GN1299 (none)
Field Photographs Field Photographs GN1281 GN1281 (none)
Provisional Field Photo Album Provisional Field Photo Album (none) (none) (none)
Woolley's Catalog Cards Woolley's Catalog Cards Card -- BM ID:194 Box:53 Page:61 Card -- BM ID:194 Box:53 Page:61 (none)
Woolley's Catalog Cards Woolley's Catalog Cards Card -- BM ID:194 Box:53 Page:62 Card -- BM ID:194 Box:53 Page:62 (none)
  • 7 Media