Illustration
Such ceramic boxes were made for religious and magical purposes. As snakes renew their skin, they were considered a symbol of healing. Snakes were also respected by people because of their venom. Fired clay with applied ornaments. Old Babylonian Period, 2000-1750 BCE. From Ur, Southern Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. (The British Museum, London).
About the Author
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.