Dominic Tomasi

5/15/19
History 134.122936.ONLINE
M3 Museum Exhibition
Topic: Religion/Tradition

Religion and tradition are very important in learning about ancient civilizations. Religion
and tradition usually sets the framework of the political and social scene of a given civilization
and can allow us to understand many different aspects of their everyday life. By understanding
the religion and traditions of a particular society, one can understand the beliefs that the society
held and what was especially important and valuable to them.

This artifact is of Goddess Lama Statue and it originates from approximately 1307-1282
BCE (Lark). This statue was worshiped when someone needed to be protected (Lark). In
Mesopotamian culture and religion, many different gods were worshiped (Oriental
Institute of the University of Chicago). Lama was known as the goddess of protection
(Lark). This ties in with religion by showing members of the ancient civilization prayed
when they felt vulnerable or unprotected.

Fig 1: Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936 -
online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html

This artifact is a Votive Bowl and it originates from approximately 2600-2350 BCE
(Lark). The unique carvings on the bowl symbolize that it was used in religious and
traditional ceremonies and that it was not an ordinary bowl. The Votive bowl could have
been used to carry offerings to religious ceremonies (Lark). The Votive Bowl portrays
that members of this civilization had items that were exclusively a part of religious
worship, suggesting that they took pride in their traditions and executing them in a
proper and meaningful way.

Fig 2: Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936 -
online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html

This artifact depicts a Vessel and it originates from approximately 2600-2350 BCE. This
piece of art depicts a young girl with a bowl on her head. This bowl could have been
used to carry wine, perfume, and oil to a religious ceremony (Lark). This showcases that
the members of this ancient civilization had special customs/practices, such as bringing
perfume to religious ceremonies.

Fig 3: Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936 -
online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html
 Dominic Tomasi
5/15/19
History 134.122936.ONLINE

This artifact is of a Vessel Stand and it originates from roughly 2600-2350 BCE. During
religious ceremonies, people could place their offerings in a box or in a bowl and place it on
top of the stand (Lark). This artifact highlights that offerings were a major part of religion
and that the society placed a high emphasis on material sacrifice as a part of worship.

Fig 4: Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936 -
online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html

This artifact is a Statue of Gudea and it originates from 2090 BCE. Gudea was a very
important political leader that ruled the city of Lagash for 20 years. This statue was also
made as part of a dedication to the god, Ningishzida (Lark). This statue highlights that
politics and religion were somewhat interwoven in this society, since this statue was a part
of a tribute to a god.

Fig 5: Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936 -
online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html

This artifact is a Statue and it originates from approximately 2900-2600 BCE. This statue is
carrying a box on top of his head. Likely, this box would have contained offerings that were
to be made at a religious ceremony (Lark). This statue displays that this society produced art
work based on parts of their everyday religious life. This suggests that the civilization
thought it was important to display important aspects of their traditions, perhaps to look at
as models of their tradition/religion.

Fig 6: Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936 -
online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html
Dominic Tomasi
5/15/19
History 134.122936.ONLINE
Works Cited

Lark, K. (2019). Catalog of Artifacts. Document posted in Schoolcraft College HIST 134.122936
-online classroom, archived at:
https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html

Lark, Kimberly. “Module 3: Virtual Archaeological Dig” Schoolcraft College.

https://bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/HIST134/captivates/M2_Dig/multiscreen.html

Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. “Religion.” Ancient Mesopotamia: This History,
Our History. Life in Mesopotamia,
mesopotamia.lib.uchicago.edu/mesopotamialife/article.php?theme=Religion.