String of Beads
Gold, Carnelian, Agate
Nippur
17 cm (end to end) x 1.2 cm (widest point)
A29379
Oriental Institute Museum
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.