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Amer Abdul-Razzaq

Atlas of Sumer

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Real, openly licensed photographs from the land of Sumer and world museums. Tap any photo to enlarge.

From Amer's archive (13)Sites today (22)Rare archive photos (6)Our treasures in world museums (37)The marshes and life (12)

Then and now

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The Ziggurat of Ur in golden brick beneath a clear blue sky

The Ziggurat of Ur before restoration, in an old black-and-white photograph

NowThen نحو 1932

The Ziggurat of Ur before restoration, Matson Collection, Library of Congress (نحو 1932). Photo: Matson Collection (Library of Congress), licence Public domain, source.
The Great Ziggurat of Ur (temple of the moon god Nanna) near Nasiriyah, built by Ur-Nammu around 2100 BCE. Photo: Michael Lubinski from Green Bay, WI, USA, licence CC BY-SA 2.0, source.

From Amer's archive

Amer Abdul-Razzaq, portrait in a light-blue jacket and a tie with cuneiform signs — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer at an excavation holding an inscribed brick, with the team working behind him — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer beside an ancient brick wall — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer lecturing in front of a banner about Sumer — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer speaking at an official podium beside the Iraqi flag — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer speaking at an open-air public lecture — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer in a television interview — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer giving an evening lecture on an open stage — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer lecturing at the microphone — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission. Photo: Mohammed Al-Saeedi.

Amer holding replicas of Mesopotamian pieces: a Sargon head and a ziggurat — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer holding two models of the Ziggurat of Ur — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer beside traditional woven palm-leaf trays — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Amer at an art exhibition holding a wooden incense box — From Mr. Amer Abdul-Razzaq's archive, published with his permission.

Sites today

The Ziggurat of Ur near Nasiriyah, with the foundations of the ancient city's houses in front — The Ziggurat of Ur, Dhi Qar. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The façade of the Ziggurat of Ur with its long stairway — The Ziggurat of Ur in 2005. Photo: Hardnfast, licence CC BY 3.0, source.

Mud bricks of the Eridu ziggurat at Tell Abu Shahrain — Remains of the Eridu ziggurat. Photo: David Stanley, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

Mud-brick foundations at Tell al-Hiba, the site of Lagash — Tell al-Hiba, the site of Lagash. Photo: David Stanley, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

Mud bricks of the Larsa ziggurat at Tell as-Senkereh — The Larsa ziggurat, Tell as-Senkereh. Photo: David Stanley, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

The ziggurat mound of Nippur seen from the south-west — The Nippur ziggurat from the south-west. Photo: Noémi Alzayadi, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The Ziggurat of Ur in golden brick beneath a clear blue sky — The Great Ziggurat of Ur (temple of the moon god Nanna) near Nasiriyah, built by Ur-Nammu around 2100 BCE. Photo: Michael Lubinski from Green Bay, WI, USA, licence CC BY-SA 2.0, source.

The front of the Ziggurat of Ur, with its three staircases rising toward the summit — The front facade of the Ziggurat of Ur with its three staircases, Nasiriyah. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The sloping wall of the Ziggurat of Ur with the sun glinting behind its edge — The stepped wall of the Ziggurat of Ur with the sun behind the summit, Nasiriyah. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The Ziggurat of Ur seen from the side, with the remains of the Temple of Ningal to its right — The Ziggurat of Ur and the remains of the Temple of Ningal beside it. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The main staircase of the Ziggurat of Ur with the low sun along its side — The main staircase of the Ziggurat of Ur in the light of late afternoon. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Wide view of the foundations of the houses of Ur with the ziggurat in the distance — Foundations of residential and religious buildings at Ur, with the ziggurat on the horizon. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The Royal Tombs of Ur with their mudbrick vaults — Burial chambers of the Royal Cemetery at Ur (about 2600 BCE). Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A floor of ancient fired brick at Ur — Rows of fired brick paving the floor of a building at Ur. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The ancient brick arch in the Temple of Ningal at Ur — The arched doorway of the E-dublamah temple at Ur. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A red sunset over the Nasiriyah skyline, seen from the Ziggurat of Ur — Sunset from the top of the Ziggurat of Ur. Photo: DVIDSHUB, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

The mound of the White Temple and the Ziggurat of Anu at Uruk — The Ziggurat of Anu and the White Temple at Uruk. Photo: tobeytravels, licence CC BY-SA 2.0, source.

Collapsed mudbrick walls at Tell al-Hiba (Lagash), covered in salt from the soil — The ruins of Lagash (Tell al-Hiba) in Dhi Qar Governorate. Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

The remains of the Temple of Enlil and its mudbrick mounds at Nippur — The Temple of Enlil (Ekur) at Nippur, Diwaniyah Governorate. Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

Brick walls on the temple mound at Nippur — Ruins of a temple at Nippur (Nuffar). Photo: Jasmine N. Walthall, U.S. Army, licence Public domain, source.

The Ziggurat of Nippur with the excavators' building on its summit — The Ziggurat of Nippur, crowned by the building the excavators erected. Photo: Noémi Alzayadi, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

An arched brick gateway in the excavators' building atop the Ziggurat of Nippur — Interior gateway of the nineteenth-century expedition's shelter on top of the ziggurat. Photo: Noémi Alzayadi, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Rare archive photos

An old black-and-white photograph of the Ziggurat of Uruk — The Ziggurat of Uruk (Warka) in a Library of Congress photograph (نحو 1932). Photo: Matson Collection (Library of Congress), licence Public domain, source.

An old photograph of the excavation of the Temple of Enlil (Bel) at Nippur — Excavation of the Temple of Enlil at Nippur, from the Hilprecht archive (نحو 1900). Photo: Hilprecht, H. V. (Hermann Vollrat), 1859-1925, licence Public domain, source.

The Ziggurat of Ur before restoration, in an old black-and-white photograph — The Ziggurat of Ur before restoration, Matson Collection, Library of Congress (نحو 1932). Photo: Matson Collection (Library of Congress), licence Public domain, source.

The Ziggurat of Ur from the southeast, in an old photograph — The Ziggurat of Ur from the southeast, Matson Collection (نحو 1932). Photo: Matson Collection (Library of Congress), licence Public domain, source.

The ziggurat and the excavations of the neighbouring temple, in an old photograph — The Ziggurat of Ur from the northwest, with the excavations of the adjacent temple, Matson Collection (نحو 1932). Photo: Matson Collection (Library of Congress), licence Public domain, source.

An old photograph of men in a boat on the river — Men in a boat on the river, Matson Collection (نحو 1932). Photo: Matson Collection (Library of Congress), licence Public domain, source.

Our treasures in world museums

Board-game pieces from the Royal Cemetery at Ur — Game pieces from the Royal Cemetery at Ur, British Museum. Photo: Gary Todd, licence CC0, source.

The Mask of Warka, a woman's face carved in marble — The Mask of Warka (about 3000 BCE), Iraq Museum. Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A dark diorite statue of a standing ruler with hands clasped — Statue attributed to Gudea, ruler of Lagash (about 2120 BCE), Louvre collection. Photo: Jean-Pol Grandmont, licence CC BY 3.0, source.

Diorite statue of Lupad, an official of the city of Umma — Statue of Lupad, an official at Umma (about 2400 BCE), Louvre. Photo: Gary Todd, licence CC0, source.

A square clay tablet covered in cuneiform writing — A tablet from Shuruppak listing professions (2600–2500 BCE), Pergamon Museum. Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A man's head carved in limestone — Limestone head of a man, probably from Umm al-Aqarib (about 2400 BCE). Photo: Gary Todd, licence CC0, source.

Mosaic of coloured clay cones from the Eanna temple — Clay-cone mosaic from the facade of the temple of Inanna (Eanna) at Uruk, about 3200 BCE (نحو 3200 ق.م). Photo: Dosseman, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Columns decorated with coloured clay cones from Uruk — Columns of the Eanna precinct covered in clay cones, from Uruk (3600–3200 ق.م). Photo: Neoclassicism Enthusiast, licence CC0, source.

The Warka Vase, carved with ritual scenes — The Warka Vase, the oldest known carved religious scene, Iraq Museum (نحو 3200 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The top register of the Warka Vase, showing Inanna and the priest — Detail of the top register of the Warka Vase: offerings presented to Inanna (نحو 3200 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Statue of a standing lion from Eridu — Lion statue from Eridu, Iraq Museum (نحو 2500 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A pottery jug decorated with geometric lines, from Eridu — Painted pottery vessel from Eridu (Tell Abu Shahrain), Iraq Museum (3500–2800 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A fired brick stamped with the name of King Amar-Sin, from Eridu — Brick stamped with the name of Amar-Sin, Third Dynasty of Ur, from Eridu (نحو 2040 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Statue of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, seated and holding a temple plan — Statue of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, from Tello (Girsu), Louvre Museum (نحو 2120 ق.م). Photo: Jastrow, licence Public domain, source.

Votive stele of Gudea dedicated to the temple of Ningirsu — Votive stele of Gudea for the temple of Ningirsu, from Girsu, Istanbul Archaeology Museums (2144–2124 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Cuneiform inscription of Gudea commemorating the building of the temple of Ningirsu — Foundation text of Gudea for the temple of Ningirsu, from Girsu (نحو 2100 ق.م). Photo: Daderot, licence CC0, source.

Small copper figurines of gods buried in the foundations of a temple — Copper foundation figurines from the temple of Ningirsu at Girsu, reign of Gudea (نحو 2150 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Relief from Girsu showing a seated god with a sun disc above him — Relief plaque from Tello (Girsu). Photo: Meskalam, licence CC BY 4.0, source.

The Stele of the Vultures from Lagash, showing Eannatum's victory over Umma — The Stele of the Vultures, victory of Eannatum of Lagash over Umma, Louvre Museum (نحو 2450 ق.م). Photo: Kikuyu3 and contributors (composite), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A clay foundation nail bearing the name of Gudea — Foundation nail inscribed with the name of Gudea, ruler of Lagash (نحو 2140 ق.م). Photo: Unknown author, licence CC0, source.

A clay tablet lamenting the destruction of Lagash, from the time of Urukagina — Tablet of the 'Lamentation over the Ruin of Lagash', from the reign of Urukagina (نحو 2350 ق.م). Photo: Gary Todd, licence CC0, source.

Stone statue of Entemena, ruler of Lagash — Statue of Entemena, ruler of Lagash, found at Ur, Iraq Museum (نحو 2400 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A copper foundation peg in the form of a calf among reeds, from the temple of the goddess Nanshe — Foundation peg from the temple of Nanshe at Sirara (Tell Zurghul), reign of Gudea (نحو 2130 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The Stele of Ushumgal, found at Umma — Stele of Ushumgal from Umma (Tell Jokha), Metropolitan Museum of Art (2900–2700 ق.م). Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, licence CC0, source.

A clay tablet bearing the name of Ur-Lumma, king of Umma — Tablet of Ur-Lumma, king of Umma, son of Enakale (نحو 2400 ق.م). Photo: Rama, licence CC BY-SA 3.0 fr, source.

A cuneiform clay cylinder of King Nabonidus from the temple of Shamash at Larsa — Cylinder of Nabonidus from the Sun Temple at Larsa, British Museum (نحو 550 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A small pottery frog found by Loftus at Larsa — Frog from Larsa discovered by Loftus in the nineteenth century. Photo: The Trustees of the British Museum, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A stone vase from Larsa — Vase from Larsa, Louvre Museum. Photo: Marie-Lan Nguyen, licence Public domain, source.

A clay rattle in the shape of a pig, from Shuruppak — Clay rattle from Shuruppak (Tell Fara) (2500–2350 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A Sumerian accounting tablet recording the governor's silver — Tablet accounting for the governor's silver, from Shuruppak (نحو 2500 ق.م). Photo: Gavin.collins, licence Public domain, source.

A clay tablet from Nippur bearing the Sumerian flood story — The Sumerian Flood Tablet from Nippur, Penn Museum (نحو 1600 ق.م). Photo: Onceinawhile (talk · contribs), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Queen Puabi's lyre with a golden bull's head — The Queen's Lyre from the Royal Cemetery at Ur, British Museum (نحو 2500 ق.م). Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg), licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A bull-headed lyre of gold and lapis lazuli, the Penn Museum example — The Ur bull-headed golden lyre, Penn Museum (2550–2450 ق.م). Photo: Mary Harrsch, licence CC BY 2.0, source.

The Peace Panel of the Standard of Ur, inlaid with shell and lapis lazuli — The Standard of Ur, Peace Panel (banquet and procession), British Museum (نحو 2600 ق.م). Photo: Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The War Panel of the Standard of Ur, with chariots and soldiers — The Standard of Ur, War Panel, British Museum (نحو 2600 ق.م). Photo: Unknown author, licence Public domain, source.

The statue of the ram in a thicket, in gold and lapis lazuli — 'Ram in a Thicket' from the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Penn Museum (نحو 2600 ق.م). Photo: Benjamin82877, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

The helmet of King Meskalamdug in pure gold — Gold helmet of Meskalamdug from the Royal Cemetery at Ur (displayed replica) (نحو 2500 ق.م). Photo: Akieboy, licence CC BY-SA 2.0, source.

The marshes and life

Men laying bundles of reeds on the roof of a mudhif in the marshes — Roofing a reed mudhif, the marshes. Photo: Hassan Al-Jarrah, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A water buffalo standing in the marsh water among the reeds — A water buffalo in the Chibayish Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A broad-horned water buffalo with a herder walking behind it in the Chibayish Marshes — A water buffalo and its herder in the Chibayish Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Water buffalo in a pen of reed and wood — A reed pen for water buffalo in the Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Geese swimming among the golden reeds of the Marshes — Reeds and geese in the Chibayish Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A reed mudhif with pillars and a woven roof — A reed mudhif in the Chibayish Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Colourful mashoof boats gliding beside the reeds — Colourful mashoof boats of the Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A mashoof on the calm marsh water amid the mist — Morning stillness in the Chibayish Marshes. Photo: Alli Khalil, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Two men in a mashoof among the green reeds of the Marshes — A mashoof among the reeds in the southern Marshes. Photo: Hassan Janali, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, licence Public domain, source.

A water buffalo swimming in front of green reeds — A water buffalo swimming in the marsh. Photo: Ahmedallebban, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

Arch upon arch inside a Sumerian reed mudhif — Interior of the Sumerian mudhif built of reeds. Photo: حكمت العياشي, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.

A mudhif on the marsh shore at sunset, with a blazing sky — A marsh mudhif at dusk. Photo: (Ahmed Abdul Amiralem) احمد عبدالاميرلازم, licence CC BY-SA 4.0, source.