Study Notes on Mesopotamia and West Asia Art

Overview of Mesopotamia and West Asia Art (5000 to February)
- Mesopotamia is termed the "cradle of civilization."
- Definition: Mesopotamia means "land between the rivers" referring to Tigris and Euphrates.
- Fertility of the land led to settlement and prosperity.
- Historical context includes constant warfare among different groups striving for control.

Competing City-States
- Key locations: Ur, Uruk, Ishna, Akkad, Lagash.
- A focus will be on terms for this chapter: register, votive, hierarchy of scale, stele, and ziggurat.

Introduction to Sumerians
- Centered in Sumer, modern-day Iraq; first self-governing civilization established around March.
- Advanced human and social development marked by progress in arts.
- Sumer consisted of city-states led by rulers and priests, protected by nature deities.
- Institutionalization of activities previously done by individuals.
Development of writing
- First writing system: Cuneiform, created around the late fourth millennium BCE.
- Evolved from pictographs to simplified wedge-shaped signs.
- Importance of durability of cuneiform tablets (inscribed in wet clay, baked in kilns).
Characteristics of Cuneiform
- Pictographs: signs representing words or parts of words.
- Example from Uruk around March: 900 signs, derived from picture representations (e.g., head, ration).
- Glyphs: conventionalized symbols representing words or sounds.
Influence of Cuneiform
- Used by Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians; coincided with artistic developments.

Construction and purpose of temples in Mesopotamia.
- Temples built atop platforms; example: Temple of Anu (40 feet high).
- Dedicated to Anu, god of sky and city of Uruk.
- Served as administrative centers and ceremonial spaces.
Example of Sculptural Art
- Marble sculpture known as "head of a woman," possibly representing Inanna, goddess of love and war.
- The head was inlaid with colored shells, and its back is flat, likely attached to a wooden body.
- Recovery of the sculpture post-Iraq war, now displayed in a locked case to protect it.

Discovery of monumental vase at Ianna Precinct, Uruk.
- Significance: one of the first narrative pictorial reliefs.
- Displays a religious festival in three registers: offerings made to the goddess; demonstrates societal values and hierarchies.
Definitions of each register in the vase:
- Bottom: wavy lines for water and crops; sheep as commodities.
- Middle: naked men as humble figures servicing the gods; symbol of devotion.
- Top: priestess receiving offerings; two poles representing Inanna.
Impact of writing on pictorial reliefs, mirroring innovative artistic expression.

Focus: statuettes from Ashmunna, early dynastic period, with shared religious beliefs.
Description of votive figures (men and women) found in cult room, depicting worshippers with open eyes and gesture of homage.
Importance of votive figures in worship, showcasing devotion.

Highlight: Standard of Ur as significant artistic contribution.
- Hollow wooden box decorated with mosaic scenes; two sides tell narratives of "war" and "feast."
- Nature of the object suggests ritual significance, whether as a banner or ceremonial item.
Examination of the Battle Side
- Showcases a battle narrative: depiction of prisoners presented to a leader, with hierarchy of scale denoting importance.
Examination of the Feast Side
- Illustrates banquet scene with dignitaries; use of larger figures to maintain focus on key individuals.
Cultural importance of narrative imagery and high-quality materials reflecting societal values.

Examination of a lyre discovered in a royal tomb at Ur.
- Lyre's finial crafted from gold and lapis lazuli.
- Likely used in funerary contexts; decorated with narrative imagery.
- Symbolic representations possibly reflecting the deceased's transition to the afterlife.

Transition to Akkadian rule under King Sargon, credited with creating the first empire.
Head of an Akkadian ruler illustrates early monumental sculpture, possibly depicting Naram Sin.
- Notable characteristics: naturalism combined with stylization, significant damage from later conflict.
- Reflects a new perception of rulers in Mesopotamia, showcasing deified qualities.
Stele of Naram Sin
- New narrative approach; not using registers for organization.
- Symbolizes kingship, military success, and divine status through hierarchy of scale.
- Imagery characterizes the ascent of Naram Sin, suggesting his divine nature among mortals.

Examination of Neo-Sumerian ziggurat at Ur, dedicated to the moon god Nana.
Architectural features: stepped structure aims to connect heaven and earth.
- Ziggurat scale: approximately 50 feet high, footprint of 200x140 feet.
- Functioned as a pilgrimage site; central to urban planning of temples.
- Sacred space reserved for priests at the highest level.

Examples of modern architecture inspired by ziggurat design include Hodges Library, California Department of General Services, and Paradisus Hotel in Cancun.