Human Sacrifice and Corpse Preservation in Ur

Flashcards covering key concepts related to human sacrifice and preservation practices at the Royal Cemetery of Ur.

What significant discovery about human sacrifice was revealed through CT scans of skulls from the Royal Cemetery of Ur?

Evidence suggests that court retainers were violently killed by blunt force trauma, overturning previous beliefs of voluntary poison ingestion.

Who conducted the original excavations of the Royal Cemetery at Ur?

Sir Leonard Woolley led the excavations during the 1920s and 1930s.

What were two key methods used for corpse preservation in the Royal Cemetery of Ur?

Heating corpses and using mercury as a preservative were employed to delay decomposition.

What was the original assumption about the royal attendants’ deaths according to Woolley?

Woolley initially suggested that attendants willingly drank poison; however, later findings indicated they were killed violently.

What types of artifacts were commonly found in graves excavated at the Royal Cemetery of Ur?

Graves often contained jewelry, cosmetic shells, cylinder seals, bowls, jars, comestibles, tools, and weapons.

In what period do the royal tombs from the Royal Cemetery of Ur date?

The royal tombs date to the Early Dynastic IIIA period, approximately 2600-2450 BC.

How did the burials in the Royal Cemetery of Ur generally differ from those in other contexts?

Many burials in Ur involved complex rituals, including human sacrifice, which were less common in other cultures.

What did analysis of the skulls reveal about their condition and treatment post-death?

The skulls showed evidence of heat treatment and possible application of mercury, indicating attempts at preservation.

Why is the practice of human sacrifice at the Royal Cemetery of Ur considered unique?

It was a phenomenon seemingly restricted to Ur, with few parallels observed at other contemporary archaeological sites.

What are two major themes discussed regarding the funerary practices at Ur?

Elaborate funerary ceremonies involving feasting and music, and the social implications of royal sacrifice as a display of power.