‘Stone Club Head Of Mesilim’ Probably The Most Powerful Sumerian Ruler At That Time
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - In 1881, an intriguing artifact known as the "stone club head of Mesilim" was unearthed at Tall Luh (Tello) site, covering the ruins of the Sumerian city of Girsu.
The artifact is covered with an inscription of Mesilim, king of the Sumerian city of Kish, and the inscription informs in the archaic script:
This mace-head depicts a lion-headed eagle, symbol of Ningirsu the patron god of Lagash and Girsu, Sumer. Image credit: Wikipedia Commons
"Mesilim, king of Kish, builder of the temple of Ningirsu, brought [this mace head] for Ningirsu, Lugalshaengur [being] prince of Lagash."
Sumerian king of Kish, Mesilim, who ruled during the Early Dynastic III" period (c. 2500–2330 BC), was one of the earliest historical figures of Sumer. His existence and involvement in arbitration work to settle a dispute between the city-state of Lagash and neighboring Umma and set a new frontier between these two cities was confirmed by votive inscriptions from Lagash and Umma.
The limestone head is 19 cm high (7.5 in) and 16 cm (6.3 in) in diameter and has its upper surface decorated with a mythical bird Anzu, in the form of a lion-headed eagle, a symbol of the storm cloud and emblem of Ningirsu, guardian of the city's wealth. Anzu clutches in its talons six rearing lions.
Left: Stone mace head 2400 BC Lagash. Source; Right: Stone Mace Head, Sippar 2500 BC. British Museum, London
The six lions accompany the bird Anzu, which represents a symbol of Ningirsu, the god of the welfare of the city Girsu. Its depictions were found on many other monuments from the Sumerian city, such as a tripod silver vase dedicated by Entemena, king of Lagash, to god Ningirsu or a votive plaque dedicated to Dudu, Ningirsu's high priest.
In Mesopotamia, soldiers used spears, bows and arrows, daggers, maces, and shields to fight off invading armies and wage war against neighboring city-states.
The mace appeared at the end of the fourth millennium BC and was a weapon of war and a symbol of power. It was a type of club or virge that used a heavy head on the end of a handle to deliver powerful blows.
Usually made of metal or stone, mace heads have been unearthed in Sumerian temples. This weapon was used worldwide in prehistory, antiquity, the Middle Ages, and even the Modern Era.
The "Stone Club Head Of Mesilim" is stored in the Louvre Museum today.
Written by – A. Sutherland AncientPages.com Staff Writer
Updated on March 2, 2023
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
DNA Reveals Unique Ancestry Of Inhabitants Of The Angolan Namib Desert
DNA | Oct 3, 2023
-
Loss Of Rainforests, Grasslands In Southeast Asia Caused Extinction Of Megafauna And Ancient Humans
Archaeology | Oct 10, 2020
-
Unique 2,800-Year-Old Ivory Object Unearthed At Hattusa
Archaeology | Nov 14, 2023
-
Last Homo Erectus Lived 117,000 Years Ago At Ngandong
Archaeology | Dec 19, 2019
-
Pancho Villa – Mexico’s Robin Hood – A Ruthless Bandit Or A Hero?
Featured Stories | Jul 1, 2023
-
Tracing Footsteps Of Giants In Africa – Obscure Past Of Mzoura Stones
Civilizations | Oct 18, 2015
-
Secrets Of Mica Chambers Of Teotihuacan
Ancient Technology | Jun 12, 2020
-
Termessos – Where History And Mythology Marked People’s Daily Lives
Featured Stories | Mar 16, 2024
-
Mysterious Leaden Sarcophagus Found Under Notre Dame Will Be Opened
Archaeology | Apr 17, 2022
-
Two-Story Houses With Balconies Unearthed In Ancient City Of Pompeii, Italy
Archaeology | May 18, 2018
-
On This Day In History: Peter The Great Defeats Charles XII Of Sweden At The Battle Of Poltava – On June 28, 1709
News | Jun 28, 2016
-
Megalithic Giant Tripolye ‘Mega-Structures’ In Large Settlements That Collapsed Around 3650 BC
Archaeology | Oct 1, 2019
-
Mystery Of The Amazing 2,500-Year-Old Underwater Rochelongue Treasure
Featured Stories | Jul 7, 2023
-
13 Ancient Terracotta Figurines Associated With Cybele And Attis Unearthed In Pompeii
Archaeology | Dec 28, 2023
-
Mystery Of Nazca’s Controversial Three-Fingered Mummies Continues – Attempt To Confiscate The Ancient Remains!
Archaeology | Oct 26, 2019
-
Ancient DNA From Medieval Germany Reveals The True Story Of Ashkenazi Jews
Archaeology | Nov 28, 2022
-
Huge Roman Forum Discovered In Unknown Ancient City In Spain
Archaeology | Sep 4, 2023
-
Puzzling Vasconic Inscription On Ancient Irulegi Hand Resembles Basque Language
Artifacts | Feb 23, 2024
-
Magnificent Decorated Tomb Of Scribe Unearthed At Abusir Sheds New Light On Ancient Egyptian History
Archaeology | Nov 8, 2023
-
Jolabokaflod – Iceland’s Wonderful Christmas Book Flood Tradition – Exchange Books As Christmas Eve Presents And Spend The Evening Reading
Ancient Traditions And Customs | Dec 21, 2017