ATTRIBUTION: Ancient Sumeria Tigris-Euphrates Region, Approximately 1,200 (13th-12th Century) B.C.

SIZE/DIMENSIONS:

Length: 56 millimeters.

Height: 34 millimeters.

Thickness: 32 millimeters.

Weight: 25.02 grams.

Chain: Contemporary bronze tone 48 centimeters (18 inches). Other chain options available.

CONDITION: Exceptional! Completely intact. No significant porosity (surface pitting caused by contact with earth while buried). Professionally conserved.

DETAIL: This is genuine, ancient Babylonian bronze water buffalo amulet. At least, it certainly appears to be a water buffalo, and that is the consensus here. The thickened neck and shoulders, stubby horns and low-set, bulbous eyes all look right. The amulet is quite sturdy and well constructed. The amulet was uncovered in an excavation dated to the 12th or 13th century B.C. It is likely that the amulet's origin was elsewhere in Sumeria (Asia Minor), perhaps the area of present-day Syria. The merchants of Babylonia's Jewelry Mart traded wide and far, and this little amulet seems to have been incoming trade goods. Further, the Assyrians had conquered the Babylonians at about this moment in history. The Assyrians controlled an enormous empire stretching from Persia to Egypt.

Of course, buffalo, used much as oxen were a century ago in Europe, were an extremely significant economic asset to the ancient civilizations of Asia Minor and the Middle East. The ancient Babylonians made full use of the animal, consuming both the dairy produce as well as the flesh, and of course the animal was a beast of burden as well. The amulet stands on its own with great stability. The construction is quite substantial, much sturdier than its delicate appearance suggests. It possesses the beautiful tone of ancient bronze, a glow just as rich as ancient gold. So that it may be worn, a gold-tone or bronze tone chain is included upon request. As well, if you prefer, we have available sterling silver and 14kt gold chains.

HISTORY: The oldest known communities in Mesopotamia are thought to date from 9,000 B.C., and include the ancient city of Babylon. Several civilizations flourished in the fertile area created as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow south out of Turkey. The river valleys and plains of Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "fertile crescent", lay between the two rivers, which are about 250 miles apart from one another. The ancient Sumerians and Babylonians were inhabitants of Mesopotamia, located in a region that included parts of what is now eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and most of Iraq, lay between two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates.

According to the Bible, Abraham came from this area. The area is commonly referred to as "the fertile crescent" by historians and archaeologists. By 4,000 B.C. large cities had grown up in the region. Considered one of the cradles of civilization, the region is referred to frequently in The Bible, and is mentioned as the birthplace of Abraham. The region produced the first written records, as well as the wheel. The region was conquered by the Akkadians in the 24th century B.C. who ruled for about two centuries. The ancient city of Ur controlled the region for the next two centuries until about 2,000 B.C. Mesopotamia was not again united until about 1750 B.C., then the Kingdom of Babylon arose and reigned supreme in the area for about one and one-half centuries.

The Babylonians in turn were conquered by Hittites from Turkey in about 1595 B.C. The longest control of the area was by the ancient Assyrians, who ruled the area from about 1350 B.C. through about 600 B.C. After a brief interlude of chaos, the Persians conquered the area and held it for three centuries until Persian and all of its territories were conquered by Alexander the Great in the last 4th century B.C. However the Greeks only held the region for about one century, before it again fell to the Persians. The Persians and Romans wrestled over the area for a number of centuries. Finally in the 7th century A.D. the area of Mesopotamia fell to the Islamic Empire.

All of these artifacts are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery via U.S. Mail. Proceeds of the sales benefit the Southern Urals State University Students Association for the Advancement of Archaeological and Anthropological Studies. All purchases are back by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request.

SHIPPING: These antiquities come from a number of collections which by and large originated here in Eastern Europe. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers, principally in Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. All of these artifacts are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery via U.S. Mail. All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request.

Our order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington will ship your purchase within one business day of receipt of your personal check or money order. If you wish to pay electronically, we accept both PayPal and BidPay. However we ask that you PLEASE WAIT before remitting until we have mutually agreed upon method of shipment and shipping charges and you understand our PayPal limitations and policies (stated here). We will ship within one business day of our receipt of your electronic remittance.

A certificate of authenticity (COA) is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."