The Royal Graves at Ur “Public Transcripts Expressed in Theatres of Cruelty: the Royal Graves at Ur in Mesopotamia” by D. Bruce Dickson

Excavations 1920s; led by Sir Leonard Wooley Sponsored by British Museum and UPenn Excavation of thousands of graves- 16 ‘royal’ tombs were of particular interest Loss of information- discarded finds

PG 789 Stone and mud brick construction Evidence of grave robbing 63 adult remains, 2 wheeled vehicles & animals that carried them, rich grave goods, vessels, food, clothing, musical instruments

PG 800 No signs of looting Limestone and mud brick construction Next to PG 789 (contemporary?) Cylinder seals with names Pu-abi and A-bara-gi

What Do These Graves Tell Us? “Ur was socially stratified, occupationally specialized and possessed of a political organization powerful enough to compel- or convincing enough to induce- people to sacrifice themselves on behalf of the collective” –Dickson

Different Opinions Dickson Graves were a ‘public transcript’ executed in a public theater of cruelty Rulers had to establish and maintain authority and divine nature Cites examples from a variety of time periods and regions Wooley Victims were willing to be sacrificed out of respect, loyalty, and devotion to the “primary individual” Grave Complex at Ur is a neutral ‘snapshot’ of ancient life.

thank you Sources: “Public Transcripts Expressed in Theatres of Cruelty: the Royal Graves at Ur in Mesopotamia” D. Bruce Dickson The British Museum website (images)