The clay tablet records the amount of barley workers and their families would receive from the government in ancient Sumer. A small statue of a married couple found in a religious shrine may have been left as a gift to the gods. An impression from a stone seal shows two gods, one with a hand in the shape of a scorpion and the other using a plow.

1. P L A C A R D A
Clay Tablet
Archaeologist’s notes: On this clay tablet, scribes from the Temple
of Bau recorded the amount of barley (a grain) that workers and their
families will receive from the government.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 1

2. P L A C A R D B
Married Couple
Archaeologist’s notes: This small statue of a married couple was
found in the rubble of a religious shrine. The original statue had eyes
made of shells and semiprecious stones. It may have been left at the
shrine as a gift to the gods.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 2

3. P L A C A R D C
Seal with Two Gods
Archaeologist’s notes: This impression was made from a stone seal.
It shows two gods. One god has a hand in the shape of a scorpion. The
other god is using a plow.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 3

4. P L A C A R D D
Seal of King
Archaeologist’s notes: This clay seal shows King Ur-Nammu (seated)
appointing Hashhamr as one of his governors. The cuneiform inscription
on the seal says, “Ur-Nammu, the mighty hero, king of Ur; Hashhamer,
the governor of Ishkun-Sin, his servant.”
This cylinder seal was
rolled across a slab of
clay to create the scene
shown above.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 4

5. Placard E
Chariot
Archaeologist’s notes: This small copper statue shows a Sumerian
chariot pulled by four donkeys. This kind of chariot may have been used
by a Sumerian soldier.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 5

6. P L A C A R D F
Gold Cup
Archaeologist’s notes: This gold cup, created by Sumerian artisans,
may have been used at banquets. Banquets were generally held for the
members of the upper classes of Sumerian society.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 6

7. P L A C A R D G
King with Basket
Archaeologist’s notes: This bronze statue shows King Ur-Nammu
carrying a basket of bricks on his head. This is most likely a symbol for
one of the king’s main responsibilities—to build and maintain the
temples. In reality, the king would not have done the actual work
himself. The inscription around the body of the statue records the
restoration of the temple of Inana, the patron god of Uruk.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 7

8. P L A C A R D H
Lyre
Archaeologist’s notes: This lyre—a stringed musical instrument—was
decorated with gold and semiprecious stones. It was found in the tomb
of a Sumerian queen. Royal musicians may have played this instrument
to entertain the queen and her court.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute Ancient Sumer 8