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An extremely rare white limestone sculpture from ancient Mesopotamia was sold in New York recently. The sculpture, a 5,000-year-old lioness, measures eight centimeters (3 1/4 inches) tall. According to the auction house, the sculpture was one of the last known masterworks from the dawn of civilization remaining in private hands.

According to the news release,

The figure depicts a standing lioness looking over her left shoulder, her paws clenched in front of her muscular chest.

Experts have speculated that the figure may have played a role in some ancient belief system or mythology in Mesopotamia, which today lies in parts of modern day Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran

The photo above shows The Guennol Lioness, the rare 5,000-year-old white limestone sculpture from ancient Mesopotamia.

Credit: The picture is from the AFP’s article

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Archaeology, Guennol Lioness