Tell Brak Head
| Tell Brak Head | |
|---|---|
| Material | Gypsum |
| Size | 17 cm high |
| Created | 3500–3300 BC |
| Present location | British Museum, London |
| Registration | ME 126460 |
The Tell Brak Head is an important
Middle Eastern sculpture found at the ancient site of Tell Brak in Syria. It has been part of the British Museum's collection since 1939.[1] Dated by archaeologists to before 3300 BC, it is considered to be one of the oldest portrait busts from the Middle East.[2]
Discovery
The sculpture was discovered during excavations in the late 1930s carried out by the eminent British archaeologist Sir
temples
, that had been used by robbers in ancient times.
Description
The Tell Brak Head is carved from
ceremonies
. No other similar sculptures were found at the site, and there are few other representations comparable to the head from this period in the region.
Current state
The statue is currently not on display at the museum, as it is undergoing treatment to retouch the chip/abasion to the back of the head.[3]
References
- ^ British Museum Collection
- ^ British Museum Highlights
- ^ a b Statue - British Museum number 126460 britishmuseum.org
Further reading
- D. Collon, Ancient Near Eastern art (London, The British Museum Press, 1995)
- M.E.L. Mallowan, 'Excavations at Brak and Chagar Bazar, Syria', Iraq-1, 9 (1947)
- C. Trümpler (ed.), Agatha Christie and archaeology (London, The British Museum Press, 2001)
External links
- Statue - British Museum number 126460 britishmuseum.org