Ancient cultural treasures are a never-ending source of inspiration. It is a miracle to witness the magnificence of art created at the dawn of civilization, long before our time. The Lamb in the Bush is an ideal example of human industriousness at a time when tools and knowledge were still in their infancy. An exquisite treasure from the Sumerian city-state of Ur, the pair of ram sculptures buried in a tomb may have belonged to Mesannepada, a king of the First Dynasty of Ur, who reigned ca. 2600 BC.
One of the Ram statues in the bush is on display at the British Museum. (Public domain)
The ram in the bush has existed for centuries
“Ram in the Bush” is not a single ancient statue but a pair of remarkable Sumerian sculptures dating from 2600 to 2400 BC. These statues were discovered by archaeologists in the ancient city of Ur, in present-day Iraq.
Sir Leonard Wooley discovered the Ram in the undergrowth during his 1928 to 1929 excavation of the vast Royal Cemetery of Ur. They are considered among the most iconic and best preserved artifacts from the Sumerian civilization.
However, when discovered, the statues were almost crushed by the weight of the soil and the wooden core inside had decomposed after long centuries of being buried. However, the outer material still exists and is carefully returned to its original shape.
The Ram statues in the bushes depict two rams, or more accurately goats, each holding a stylized stick or tree. The central feature of these sculptures is the image of a ram stuck in a bush, which gave this work of art its name. Because it seems that Leonard Wooley remembered the Biblical story of Abraham, who had to sacrifice his son Isaac, but was stopped at the last moment by an angel who revealed a trapped ram horn in the bush, it was sacrificed instead.
“Abraham looked up and saw in the bush a ram caught by its horns. He came near and took the ram as a burnt offering instead of his son.” (Genesis 22:13)
The famous statue of Ram in the bush was recovered from the Royal Cemetery of Ur in Iraq. (Mary Harrsch / CC BY 2.0 )
The masterful ancient craftsmanship is demonstrated by Ram in the bushes
Initially, the figures were made of rough-hewn wooden cores, on which were placed various materials such as gold leaf, lapis lazuli, and shell inlays. They are mounted with bitumen. The details that go into creating the Bush Ram are amazing and they were definitely commissioned for a member of the Sumerian royal family. The combination of materials and craftsmanship in creating these sculptures demonstrates the advanced metallurgical and artistic skills of the Sumerians.
The statues are believed to have religious or ceremonial significance. They may have been used in temple rituals, symbolizing offerings and gifts to the gods, especially in connection with the Sumerian goddess Inanna, goddess of love and war. In its original state, it is believed that the two sculptures were placed facing each other and bowls or similar vessels were placed on small stands above the heads.
The Ram sculpture in the bush dates from the early period of the III Dynasty of ancient Mesopotamia, around 2600 to 2400 BC. This was a time when Ur was one of Sumer’s leading cities and the region was known for its advanced civilization, including the invention of writing (cuneiform) and the emergence of city-states complicated.
However, it is not known exactly whose grave the sculptures were discovered in, although it is generally believed that it is the resting place of King Mesannepada (Mesh-Ane-Pada), the King’s son Meskalamdug is famous. The tomb is nicknamed “The Great Sinkhole,” because it contains so many human remains; including the servants and guards who were killed to follow the King into the afterlife. Among their remains are two sculptures of rams, along with other valuable items.
Image of excavations at the Royal Cemetery of Ur, part of a joint British Museum and University of Pennsylvania Museum expedition to Mesopotamia. The Ram statues in the bushes were discovered by Sir Leonard Wooley during his 1928 to 1929 season. (Public domain)
The mysteries of ancient Ur
Ancient Ur and the Sumerians in general remain the source of great mysteries. History doesn’t remember much about them and there’s still a lot to discover. But as long as great discoveries are made, such as the Ram in the Bush, the story of the Sumerians will continue to unravel. They provide a valuable glimpse into the art and religious practices of one of the world’s oldest advanced civilizations – the people who started it all.
Today, the Ram in a Thicket sculptures are separate. One is housed in the British Museum in London, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s extensive collection of ancient artifacts. The other is on display at the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia, USA. Together, these sculptures provide valuable insights into the art, culture, and religious practices of the Sumerians, one of the world’s earliest known civilizations.
Top image: One of the Ram statues in the bushes. Source: British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
