1. Sumer

3. Shell plaque from 'Queen' Puabi's Grave Ur, southern Iraq, about 2600-2400 BC Presumed to have been a decoration on a lyre or harp Shell was often combined with coloured stones like lapis lazuli to decorate wooden goods like musical instruments and furniture - specialised craftsmanship Shell came from the gulf - trade

5. Queen's lyre from Ur From Ur, southern Iraq, about 2600-2400 BC Decorated with shell, lapis lazuli, red limestone & gold Discovered along with sacrificial victims Discovered by Leonard Woolley: plaster of Paris poured in depression left by decayed wood thus preserving decorations in their appropriate place Reconstructed once and then again in the 70s

7. Beads and pedants Ur, southern Iraq, about 2600-2400 BC From a 'royal' grave Possibly offerings Gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, silver obtained through trade or conquest Highly skilled gold-work Lapis-lazuli from Afghanistan

11. The 'Standard' of Ur From Ur about 2600-2400 BC Original function not understood Speculation that it was a standard or a soundbox Sumerian army: chariots pulled by donkeys. Spears, axes, prisoners Banquet: animals, fishes, woollen fleeces, skirts Present restoration a 'best guess'

13. The Royal Game of Ur From Ur about 2600-2400 BC One of the most popular games in the ancient world

15. The 'Ram in a Thicket' From Ur about 2600-2400 BC Woolley's name for the object is a biblical allusion Goats one of the early animals to be domesticated Gold, copper, lapis lazuli, shell, red limestone Complex process of preservation

17. Cylinder seal of Pu-abi From Ur, around 2600 BC Used to roll an impression on wet clay Administrative tool 'Pu-abi nin' Banquet scene Ownership indicates importance

19. Record of food supplies Southern Iraq circa 3000 BC Pictographs made by drawing sharp stick or reed across clay Head with bowl in top left corner represents eating

20. Find out more about ancient Sumer Visit the main Museum website www.britishmuseum.org Use Explore to look at objects from Sumer www.britishmuseum.org/explore/introduction.aspx Learn more about Sumer www.ancientmesopotamia.co.uk