UK - London - Assyrian relief in British Museum

Detail in the British Museum of an Assyrian relief. Assyrian kings competed to outdo each other with carved reliefs on interior walls. This tradition began with King Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883-859BC) at Nimrud. In 612BC Assyrian cities were looted and destroyed by Babylonians and Medes and the sculptures were buried until discovered by British and French archaeologists in the 19th century. As a result, London and Paris have the largest collection of Assyrian reliefs outside Iraq.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: british_museum14-14-01-2016.jpg
Image Size: 4143x2762 / 2.8MB; british museum collection archaeology history centuries installation art arts culture ancient assyrian ashurnasirpal close-up detail relief palace carving bc nimrud spirits london uk britain english england & an a at of for with and in or heritage saved conservation treasures priceless iraqi mesopotamia
Contained in galleries

Detail in the British Museum of an Assyrian relief. Assyrian kings competed to outdo each other with carved reliefs on interior walls. This tradition began with King Ashurnasirpal II (reigned 883-859BC) at Nimrud. In 612BC Assyrian cities were looted and destroyed by Babylonians and Medes and the sculptures were buried until discovered by British and French archaeologists in the 19th century. As a result, London and Paris have the largest collection of Assyrian reliefs outside Iraq.