Queen Puabi's headdress

Closeup of Queen Puabi's gold headdress and gold jewelry recovered from the royal cemetery of Ur, Iraq 2550-2450 BCE (33434975442)

Queen Puabi's Headdress is a significant archaeological find that dates back to the Early Dynastic III period (around 2600 BCE) of ancient Sumer, located in modern-day Iraq. This exquisite piece of jewelry was discovered in the Royal Cemetery at Ur by the British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley during the 1920s. The headdress is one of the most iconic artifacts from the Sumerian civilization and provides insight into the craftsmanship, culture, and societal structure of early Mesopotamian societies.

Description

Queen Puabi's Headdress is an elaborate assembly of various materials, including gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, and silver, indicating the high status of its owner in Sumerian society. The headdress consists of several components: a gold headband, hair ribbons, rings, and a comb, all adorned with precious stones. The centerpiece is a large, gold leaf-shaped ornament that would have been worn at the forehead, symbolizing the wearer's royalty or divine favor.

Discovery

The headdress was found in the grave of Puabi, who was identified by an inscribed cylinder seal found in her tomb, PG 800, in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. Unlike many other graves at the site, Puabi's tomb had not been looted in antiquity, allowing Woolley to uncover a treasure trove of artifacts in situ, including the headdress. The discovery of such an intact burial was crucial for understanding the burial practices, art, and social hierarchy of the Sumerian civilization.

Significance

The craftsmanship of Queen Puabi's Headdress highlights the advanced skills in metalwork and gem cutting possessed by Sumerian artisans. The use of imported materials, such as lapis lazuli, which came from the distant lands of what is now Afghanistan, also indicates the extensive trade networks that the Sumerians were part of. Furthermore, the headdress, along with other grave goods found in Puabi's tomb, underscores the importance of burial rituals and the belief in an afterlife among the Sumerians.

Exhibition

Today, Queen Puabi's Headdress is part of the collection of the Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (often referred to as the Penn Museum), where it is displayed as a centerpiece of their Mesopotamian collection. The headdress not only attracts scholars interested in ancient Mesopotamian culture but also the general public, serving as a tangible link to humanity's ancient past.

See Also

• Sumer
• Royal Cemetery at Ur
• Sir Leonard Woolley
• Mesopotamian art
• History of jewelry