Sumerian Lagash Cat-Bird Plaque

Map of Sumer around 2350 BCE showing the location of the rivers at that time. Lagash is near Elam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagash#/media/File:Sumer_map.jpg

Sumerian State: Lagash, Girsu, Nina

(December 28, 2024) Lagash is the name of a Sumerian city-state located northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The ancient site of Nina (Tell Zurghul) is around 10 km (6.2 mi) away and marks the southern limit of the state. Nearby Girsu (modern Telloh), about 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Lagash, was the religious center of the Lagash state. The Lagash state's main temple was the E-ninnu at Girsu, dedicated to the god Ningirsu. The Lagash state incorporated the ancient cities of Lagash, Girsu, Nina.

Significant occupation at the site of Lagash began during Early Dynastic I period (c. 2900-2600 BCE). Surface surveys and excavations show that the peak occupation, with an area of about 500 hectares, occurred during the Early Dynastic III period (c. 2500–2334 BCE). Lagash then came under the control of the Akkadian Empire for several centuries. With the fall of that empire, Lagash had a period of revival as an independent power during the 2nd Dynasty of Lagash before coming under the control of the 3rd Dynasty of Ur. After the fall of Ur around 2004 BCE the site was gradually abandoned.

(Updated December 28, 2024) Cat Bird Plaque from Lagash (SL1).

The 2 upper left box has the same text as boxes 1 and 2 of the cat-bird mace head below. They read:

AN loves the Lady (INANNA).
Their domain sings-up food.
Controller (Sumerian Du, probably a reference to the lions)
Controller (Sumerian Du, probably a reference to the lions)

References

Jastrow, M (1915) The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria. Page 93a .Online at:

Cat-Bird Mace-Head Grasping 2 Lions

(Jan 7, 2023, Updated December 28, 2024) The head of the cat-bird is directly under text section 10 and 11. This is the Sumerian Motion power connective deity. As such it calls fate and normally keeps everything on time.

This is now at the British Museum. Museum number 23287. It was acquired in 1897 from a collector who claims it came from Tell Telloh (Ancient Girzu) in southern Iraq. Hole diameter: 2.20 centimeters, Diameter: 11 centimeters, Height: 11.70 centimeters. The Sumerian city of Gizu means "Cow.Wisdom" so it must have been renowned for its large cattle herds.

Online at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1897-0514-1

Watch a wonderful unlisted YouTube British Museum Membership video about new excavations at Girsu if you allow marketing cookies at the British Museum site: https://www.britishmuseum.org/membership/events/excavations-girsu

Drawing of Top Text on Mace-Head

It reads in Sumerian (top down, right to left, that is , clockwise). Notice this early cuneiform from before 2300 BCE is still partly pictographic. (Text SG1):