Quiana Black

Art Appreciation 100. 001W

Statues from Abu Temple

Uncovered in 1934, 50 miles northeast of Bhagdad, a collection of 12 statues were extracted

from a Sumerian Temple by an excavation team from University of Chicago (The Met, 2000).

The statues from Abu Temple are reflective of Sumerian’s guiding light: religion. Traditionally

religion has been used as a way to explain away that which was not easily understood at the time.

As religion replaced indigenous practices and created strongholds in society artwork and its

variances documented what historians and scholars now use to paint a picture of the world

before. It is believed that these statues were created as stand-in worshippers by donors (Evans

2007). People who wished to continue showing reverence to their deity of choice, while their

physical bodies no longer roamed earth. Significance is placed on the findings in the inner

temples. These alabaster gypsum and black stone relics are made necessary as the inner sanctum

of Sumerian’s Temple were only accessible to priests.

The Met notes another Early Dynastic I artistic marker as geometric styling (2000). Geometric

styling deconstructs real figures into abstract shapes, simplifying form. This same styling can be

seen repeated in pottery of this time period. Although the figurines were found under Early

Dynastic II architecture, styling identification allows for more accurate dating ( Evans, 2007).l

The figurines are both male and female. Similarities: clasped hands around the chest or waist,

large eyes, upward stares, and fringed or tufted robes. The large eyes are said to petition the gods

and house a ‘mysterious force’ (Hurst, 2021). Could this be the motivation for a black stone
inlay; whose color and haze mimics the sight of eyes that would be housed in the sockets of the

deceased?

These anthropomorphic representations emphasize a need to be noticed, accounted for, and

received by the gods. These desire and almost aching need was birthed in the daily activity of

Sumerian society. With much of a Sumerian’s life devoted to upkeep of the temple. A temple

that they were not allowed to enter or enjoy to the extent for which it was created seems to have

caused a disconnect. Constant devotion without being able to see the fruit of their labor and just

hope what they have done is enough to receive what they have been promised (if it exists)

allowed for the formation of thoughtless devotion, in my opinion. Taking this into consideration

it only makes sense that devotion would be the cornerstone of the afterlife planning.
Reference Page

Evans, Jean M. "The Square Temple at Tell Asmar and the Construction of Early
Dynastic Mesopotamia, Ca. 2900-2350 B.C.E." American Journal of Archaeology 111.4
(2007): 599-632. Print.

Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art. “Early Dynastic Sculpture, 2900–2350 B.C.”

In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art,
2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/edys/hd_edys.htm (October 2004)

Hirst, K. Kris. "The Tell Asmar Sculpture Hoard of Prayerful People." ThoughtCo, Sep.
1, 2021, thoughtco.com/tell-asmar-sculpture-hoard-169594.