What Is the Standard of Ur? War, Peace and a 4,500-Year-Old Mosaic

The Standard of Ur is one of the most famous objects to survive from ancient Mesopotamia: a small, box-like object covered in mosaic scenes of an army at war on one side and a banquet on the other. It was made around 2550–2400 BC, excavated from the Royal Cemetery at Ur in southern Iraq, and is now in the British Museum. What it was actually for is still unknown.

What it is made of

The British Museum describes a hollow, trapezoidal box whose wooden core had rotted away before excavation. Its decoration survives: figures of shell, red limestone and blue lapis lazuli, set into bitumen. The object was reconstructed from hundreds of pieces.

The lapis lazuli is itself a story. It had to travel from the mountains of what is now Afghanistan, and together with the shell and red stone it shows how far the trade networks of Early Dynastic Ur could reach.

Where it was found

The archaeologist Leonard Woolley excavated it from a large tomb in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, catalogued as PG 779. The tomb had been disturbed in antiquity, which makes the object's original setting harder to reconstruct.

War and peace

The two long sides are now called "War" and "Peace", though those are modern labels. On the "War" side, chariots drawn by donkey-like animals ride over fallen enemies, soldiers lead captives, and a larger figure at the centre, marked out by his size, receives them. The "Peace" side shows people bringing animals, fish and goods, while at the top seated figures drink as a musician plays a lyre. The British Museum notes that the offerings may be booty or tribute.

Was it really a standard?

No one knows. Woolley suggested it had been carried on a pole, hence the name. The British Museum now stresses that its function is unknown: it might have been a box, part of a musical instrument, or something else entirely.

The Standard of Ur in jewellery

The object is a narrative mosaic, not a single emblem, so jewellery inspired by it usually takes one figure, pattern or scene. "Inspired by the Standard of Ur" is the accurate description. Take a look at the AURYN Standard of Ur-inspired charm, or read our guide to Mesopotamian gods and symbols.