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the cult vase from oruk shows a clear
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example of hierarchy and ancient art
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made of limestone the vase is decorated
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with four bands of carvings that
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increase in height from bottom to top
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starting at the base wavy line symbolize
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water above this the first band shows
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ears of barley and palm shoots the next
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band features alternating male and
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female sheep the third and fourth bands
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depict human figures in the third band
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naked men are shown carrying baskets
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filled with agricultural products the
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fourth is the first to present a complex
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composition as the main scene although
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the section containing the main figure
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is severely damaged what remains of this
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figure as well as comparison to other
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compositions indicates that he was the
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ruler he is preceded by a servant
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carrying offerings while another servant
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Walks Behind him carrying the ruler's
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richly decorated train in the vas's
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original form the ruler was depicted as
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taller than the other figures showing
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that he was considered the most
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important person according to the
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ancient Mesopotamian code of
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representation the scene also includes
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two sheaves of Reed which stand for the
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Temple of the city goddess Anana instead
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of showing the temple as a building the
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vase presents it as a collection of sacr
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objects including animal figurines with
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human figures on their backs and
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containers for offerings the cult B
