The Tell Asmar Hoard

The Tell Asmar Hoard: An Ancient Mesopotamian Treasure

The Tell Asmar Hoard, dating back to the Early Dynastic I-II period (c. 2900–2550 BC), consists of twelve statues (The Eshnunna Statues). These remarkable artifacts were discovered in 1933 at Eshnunna, now known as Tell Asmar, in Iraq’s Diyala Governorate. Despite other finds in Mesopotamia, these statues remain the quintessential examples of Early Dynastic temple sculpture (2900 BC–2350 BC).

Discovery of the Hoard

In the late 1920s, Baghdad’s antique dealers began acquiring high-quality artifacts from the desert east of the Diyala River, north of its junction with the Tigris. The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago secured excavation rights in 1929. James Henry Breasted, the institute’s founder, invited Dutch archaeologist Henri Frankfort to lead the expedition. Between 1930 and 1937, Frankfort and his team excavated four mounds: Khafajah, Tell Asmar (ancient Eshnunna), Tell Agrab, and Ishchali.

They uncovered temples, palaces, administrative buildings, and homes dating from 3100 to 1750 BC. The artifacts from these sites significantly enhanced our understanding of the Early Dynastic period.

Among the finds, the Tell Asmar Hoard stands out. Discovered during the 1933-34 excavation season, these statues were beneath a temple floor dedicated to the god Abu. The Eshnunna Statues were neatly stacked in a rectangular cavity beside an altar. This careful placement suggests intentional burial. However, the reasons and the individuals responsible remain unclear. Frankfort speculated that priests buried old or damaged statues to make space for new ones.

The Eshnunna Statues

The Eshnunna Statues vary in height from 21 cm (8.2 in.) to 72 cm (28.3 in.). Of the twelve statues, ten are male, and two are female. Eight are made from gypsum, two from limestone, and one, the smallest, from alabaster. All the figures, except one kneeling statue, stand upright. Thin circular bases and large wedge-shaped feet provide support.

The males wear kilts with patterned hems covering their midsection and thighs. They have broad shoulders, thick arms, and bare chests partially covered by black, stylized beards. Except for one bald and clean-shaven statue, all males have long hair parted symmetrically, framing smooth cheeks and foreheads. The Eshnunna Statues’ most striking feature are their large eyes, made from white shell and black limestone inlays. One figure even has lapis lazuli pupils. Bitumen secures these materials and gives the beard and hair their black color. The abstracted hair and clothing reflect Early Dynastic Sumerian styles.

The Purpose and Significance

The Eshnunna Statues were found in a temple dedicated to Abu, the ancient Near Eastern god of fertility. Evidence from Khafajah suggests that the statues might have been arranged along the sanctuary walls before burial. Some statues bear inscriptions with names and prayers, while others simply state “one who offers prayers.” These inscriptions indicate that the statues acted as surrogates for worshipers, allowing them to leave their prayers with the god. In the 3rd millennium BC, the price of a votive statue likely depended on its size and the stone used.

Frankfort argued that the largest figure in the hoard represents Abu, not a human worshiper. He noted several distinctive features, including its size, large eyes, and a carving of an eagle with outstretched wings, flanked by two recumbent mountain goats on the base.

Conclusion

The Tell Asmar Hoard provides invaluable insight into Early Dynastic Mesopotamian art and religious practices. These statues, with their distinctive styles and mysterious origins, continue to captivate archaeologists and historians alike. Through them, we gain a deeper understanding of the ancient world and its intricate cultural and spiritual life.

Sources:

Wikipedia