Neo-Sumerian

The Akkadians were raided by the Gutians and fell from power.  After awhile, the native Sumerians reasserted themselves and reestablished a Neo-Sumerian State.  The city-states of Sumer were unified with a central leader at Ur. They began to look to their historical past and to reassert their artistic heritage.  Their efforts could be seen as an early example of nostalgia for a lost past.  

Ziggurat, Ur, ca. 2100 B.C.

The ziggurat of Ur was constructed from mud bricks at this time (the stairs have been restored). Only the base survives, but it is approximately 50 feet high.  It is much larger than the earlier precedents.

Seated Statue of Gudea

Gudea was a Neo-Sumerian ruler of Lagash (not a god).  He was a common subject of Neo-Sumerian sculpture; about twenty examples survive.  He might be seated (as here) or standing, but his hands are always clasped.  This is a portrait.   He was very pious — we know that from his hands, but also from the inscriptions. He usually wears a wool hat and a long garment that leaves one shoulder bare.

This sculpture was made from diorite, an expensive, rare, imported stone that is very hard and difficult to carve.  It was a prestigious material.

Sculptures of Gudea were placed in temples.  Symbolically, he offered his services to the gods, but he also interceded on behalf of his subjects — like a priest.

Seated Statue of Gudea holding a temple plan, Diorite, ca. 2100 B.C. 

This example, Gudea presents Ningirsu with his plan for the god’s new temple.  According to the documentation that survives, the people enjoyed good harvests and their flocks were plentiful — they credited this success to Gudea's piety.

The Neo-Sumerian kings fell to the Elamites.   Again we have periods of conflict and shifting power — different city-states were dominant at different times.