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A limestone wall plaque
displays two libation scenes. In the top register, a naked priest with
long hair pours a libation on an altar set before an enthroned, bearded
god with a horned crown. The three smaller figures behind him might be
priestesses. Below, a bald and naked priest performs a similar ritual
at a temple door. Overseeing the rite is a woman in the frontal stance,
which signifies her importance. She wears the roll-rim hat of the en-priestess
(Winter 1987). Her heavy curled locks fall over her shoulders. Two other
figures behind her, one male and one female, carry offerings. The plaque
was found, as was the "Enheduanna disk," in the gipar of the great temple
of the moon god at Ur. The gipar was the residence and offices of the
high priestess, spouse of the great god Nanna. Dated ca. 2550-2250 BCE.
Drawing © S. Beaulieu, after Aruz 2003: 74 Plate 33 |