The tree in Sumerian thought

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Faculty member, Department of History of Egypt and the Ancient Near East, Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University (Egypt)

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the Role of tree in Sumerian beleif. This Role appeared clearly in all of Sumerians religious belief and art.
The role of the tree in Sumerian belief came as a result of the Sumerians' influence by the environment around them, as trees were one of the clear environmental components in southern Mesopotamia. The influence of the tree in Sumerian thought is clear in the field of religious aspect, where the belief in the existence of tree deities, as the tree was mentioned in the religious myths of the gods. The role of the tree was clear also in the field of art and in the representation of tree on each of pottery cylinder seals, sculptures and ornaments. 
This paper confirms the role of environment in human life and the importance of trees at the Sumerians.
 

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References

Read, J., the Great Death pit At Ur, in Art of the First Cities, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2003
Miller, N., " Plant forms in Jewellery from the Royal Cemetery At Ur" Iraq, Vol. 62, 2000 
Miller, N., " Symbols of Fertility and Abundance in the Royal Cemetery At Ur" AJA, 117, 2013
Saggs, H. Peoples of the Past Babylonians- British Museum, 1995
Bauks, N.,  Sacred Trees in the Garden of Eden and Their Ancient Near Eastern Precursors, in JAJ, Vol.3, 2012

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