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Ruth Garrido Vila

Rare ritual libation shell

Mesopotamia 3RD-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.

20cm 

The use and importance of sea shells worked and made into vessels, particularly of the Lambis genus, in the Mesopotamian plateau from the third to the first millennium B.C., highlighting their use in ritual and funerary contexts. These objects, found in archaeological sites such as the cemetery of Ur and in temples, were mainly used as ritual vessels, burial ornaments and symbols of high social status. The working of the shells required elaborate techniques, such as drilling, polishing and carving, to create intricate decorations that emphasised not only the craftsmanship, but also the aesthetic and cultural appreciation attributed to such objects. Sea shells serve as indicators of extensive trade with the Persian Gulf coastline, as far as the Red Sea, suggesting a network of significant economic relationships. Their association with elite burials implies a patriarchal and ritual context, revealing ancient Mesopotamians' beliefs about life after death and the importance of luxury goods in reinforcing social identity. Furthermore, the presence of worked and decorated shells in ritual contexts signals a fusion of cultural and religious influences, contributing to a deeper understanding of social and religious dynamics in the ancient Near East.

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3RD-1ST MILLENNIUM B.C - Mesopotamia

Sumerian Rare ritual libation shell - 20 cm  (No Reserve Price)

Archaeology

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17 February

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Object

Figure

Ring

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Extras

Certificate

Period

1960-1970

1940-1950

1950-1960

Cretaceous, Lower (145 - 100.5 million years)

Tang Dynasty (618-907)

1800-1850

Song Dynasty

1650-1700

2010-2020

1850-1900

1st Chinese domination (111 BC–40 AD)

Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D.)

Liao Dynasty (916-1125)

Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

1970-1980

1980-1990

1450-1500

2020+

2025

Late 19th century

Certification

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Subject

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Archaeology

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Sumerian Rare ritual libation shell - 20 cm (No Reserve Price)

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