Shell Container
Shell
Khafajah
4.0 cm x 3.3 cm x 1.5 cm
A17715
Oriental Institute Museum
Shell Container
The ancient Mesopotamians were very interested in matters of personal adornment. In addition to clothing and jewelry, which were important indicators of status, aromatic substances were used to make perfume, and various pigments were worn as makeup. This small white shell contains a dried green substance that may have been used as eyeshadow.
Collected by
Henri Frankfort, Field Director of the Iraq Expedition
Excavated by The Oriental Institute 1935-1936
Multimedia
Life in Ancient Mesopotamia
What was life like in ancient Mesopotamia? Find out in this video featuring Oriental Institute Assyriologist Dr. Martha Roth.
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.