Palm Trees in the Arts of Mesopotamia

Abstract

Iraqis through the periods considered Palm trees the most generousnot only for their grandeur and lofty. They produce dates of variegatedtypes which is considered one of the important nutrients for sustainablehuman life because it contains the essentials for healthy life.In the initial phase, the Iraqi artists drew on their pottery simple bandssimilar to a palmette but as they progressed, the style was developedduring Protoliterate period (the Early Sumerian) and the best example isthe Votive Vase from Warka. Then cluster of dates started to appear onthe Votive Plaques and on cylinder seals.Few examples of palms appear on cylinder seals from theAkkadian period. Gudea appears with the tree. Ur-namu in his wellknown stele pour sacred water on a palm. From tell Al-Rimah (OldKarana) palm trunks in mud-bricks were used as attached decorativecolumns, The palace of Zimri-lim in Mari was adorned with painting ofthe blessed tree. The Assyrians considered the palm trees blessed, holy,and sacred, and their kings themselves paid great attention in depictingthemselves with the palms. The concept of the significant of the palms assacred identity continued and reached the city of Hatra which mentionedits heritage of the older Mesopotamian period. The palms were depictedwith both the gods and humans.