All about Ashur

Picture and Video Gallery

Above: This curved Assyrian Swords contains elaborate engravings It is of the style used in the ceremnial crowning of the King.

The Lamassu, found in most Assyrian palaces is a half-human, half-bull creature. These protected the doorways to palaces, and the major
entrances of public buildings. They showed the king was protected by the gods. He had a divine force that both justified his rule, & protected it.

U.S. Soldiers from Armored Cavalry Regiment provide security for the Provincial Reconstruction Team and representatives of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization visiting the ancient city of Ashur.

Photographer:
Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

Ashur lies on a stony hill overlooking the Tigris river on the east near Himrin mountains.

Left: A second ziggurat found at Ashur

Palace walls were covered from floor to ceiling with depictions of victorious battles of the resident king.

Thousands of Cuneiform Text tablets have been excavated from the site of Ashur.

Cuneiform text is the first written known writing in the world.

The following videos contain images of artifacts which have helped archaeologists understand the Assyrian Empire.

All of the Asseryian kings were crowned and buried at Ashur, the religious capital of Asseria, the home of the state God Assur, and Asseria's namesake.

One of the three ziggurats discovered in Ashur

Provincial Reconstruction Team members and representatives of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization explore the remains of the ancient city of Ashur.

Photographer:
Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

Ashur contained temples devoted to the gods of the sun and the moon, Sin and Shamash. Twin towers were erected in the name of Anu, god of the sky, and Adad, god of storms.

Much of Assyrian Art depicted Great Battles and acted as Propaganda.

Many Assyrian Works can be found in the Metropolitan Museum.

Over 1000 inhumations of burial tombs have been excavated from Ashur. Family groups were buried under the floor of residential homes and palaces. The picture below comes from a tomb from one of Ashur's elite. Such tombs are rich with valuable art and jewelry from all over the Assyrian known world.