Tell al-'Ubaid Copper Lintel

The Tell al-'Ubaid Copper Lintel or Imdugud Relief is a large copper panel found at the ancient Sumerian city of Tell al-'Ubaid. Excavated by the English archaeologist Henry Hall in 1919, the frieze is one of the largest metal sculptures to survive from ancient Mesopotamia and is now preserved in the British Museum.

Discovery

The sculpture was discovered in 1919 at the base of a temple foundation made from mud and brick at the isolated Sumerian site of Tell al-'Ubaid, close to the ancient city of Ur in southern Iraq. Archaeologists have determined from extant inscriptions and sculptures that the temple was dedicated to the goddess Ninhursag. Based on where it was originally found, it has been suggested that the copper panel was located above the temple door, in full view of the congregation. Soon after its discovery, the sculpture was shipped to London as part of the British Museum's share of the finds.

Description

This impressive metal relief was found in a parlous state and had to be heavily restored by conservators afters its discovery. The central figure in the restored lintel shows the lion-headed eagle Imdugud who is the symbol of the god Ningirsu. Flanking either side of the god are two stags, one of whose heads has been restored. The relief was beaten out of a very large piece of copper and almost seems to stand apart from the background. For an object of this size to survive is unusual as most metal artefacts were melted down for their bullion value in antiquity.