North Mesopotamian Jewellery
during the Third Millennium B.C.

Some Considerations

Fabrice De Backer

Thesis submitted to obtain the degree of Master of Arts in
Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology

Academiejaar: 2004-2005

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Supervisor: Prof. J. Bretschneider

Métaux qui donnez à ma jeune chevelure

Une splendeur fatale et sa massive allure

Stéphane Mallarmé

Head of a goddess (?) found in the Temple of Ishtarat at Mari.

Volume I. Catalogue

    Introduction

        1. General

        2. Problems of the research

        3. Cautions to take

            a. About the contexts

            b. About the objects

            c. About the humans

        4. Aim of this study

        5. Some practical notes

    I. Catalogue

    Introduction

    A. Early Dynastic Period (ca. 2900-2350)

        1. Tell Hariri/Mari  .

            a. Tombs

                A) Full Ground

                B)Jars

                C) Build Tombs

                D) Sarcophagi

            b. Deposits

            c. Hoards

    B. Akkadian Period (ca. 2350-2193)

        1. Tell Brak/Nagar

            a. Tombs

            b. Deposits

            c. Hoards

    C. Ur III Period (ca. 2350-2000 B.C.)

        1. Tell Hariri/Mari

            a. Tombs

                A) Full Ground

                B) Jars

                C) Build Tombs

                D) Sarcophagi

            b. Deposits

            c. Hoards

        2. Tell Brak/Nagar

            a. Tombs

            b. Deposits

            c. Hoards

Volume II Analysis

    Introduction

    1. Historical Context

        a. Early Dynastic Period (ca. 2900-2350)

        b. Akkadian Period (ca. 2350-2193)

        c. Ur III Period (ca. 2193-2000 B.C.)

    2. General Frame

    3. Sources and Consequences

        a. Tombs

        b. Deposits

        c. Hoards

    4. The Functions of the Jewellery

        a) as a Precious Material Reserve

        b) as a Status Indicator

            1) General Symbolization

            2) Society Level Indicator

            3) Field of Activity Indicator

        c) as a Magical Device

        d) as an International Contact Agent

III. Conclusion

Bibliography

Table of Figures