String of Beads

2100 BC - 2000 BC
Gold, Carnelian, Agate
Nippur
17 cm (end to end) x 1.2 cm (widest point)
A29379

Oriental Institute Museum

Artifact Description

String of Beads

In ancient Mesopotamia, jewelry was worn by men, women, and children as well as by divine images and statues. It was exchanged as gifts between rulers, provided as wedding gifts and inheritances, and included in dowries. Objects made of precious stones and metals were worn as decoration during life and after death. Found in the tomb of a young woman, this string of gold, carnelian, and agate beads was worn as a bracelet.

Collected by

Iraq Expedition
Excavated by The Oriental Institute 1951

Multimedia

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Suggested Readings

Hunter, Erica. First Civilizations: Cultural Atlas for Young People. New York: Facts on File, 1994.

Kramer, Samuel Noah. Cradle of Civilization. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1967.

Roaf, Michael. Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East. New York: Facts on File, 1990.

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