Meskalamdug's helmet

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The helmet of the Meskalamdug is one of the most famous finds from the royal tombs of Ur . The work, which can be dated to the early dynasty (around 2550 BC), is now in the possession of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad . The helmet was in the tomb of Meskalamdug (PG 755), who presumably belonged to the royal family, but is not mentioned in the Sumerian royal list . The helmet was in gold plate driven and was therefore hardly suitable as protective clothing for the war. Maybe it was used more in the ceremonial / cult area. Apart from the ears that are carved out on the sides, the work looks more like a wig as its fine engravings imitate a wavy hairstyle. On the other hand, there are curls to the side, which are separated from the wavy hairstyle by a braid around the head . The braid is knotted into a button at the end of the head. At the edge of the helmet has a number of small holes, to which a lining was probably attached.

A greatly simplified representation of such a helmet can be found on the vulture stele , where it adorns the head of the Eannatum . The so-called head of an Akkadian ruler from Aššur proves that such hairdresses were in use until the Akkadian period .

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