Standard of Ur – A Standard or A Musical Sound Box?

When the archaeologist Leonard Woolley excavated the Mesopotamia city of Ur, he thought that this curious object was part of a standard/symbol representing the army of Mesopotamia. It was found in one of the royal cemeteries at Ur and is made of shell, lapis lazuli and bitumen.

However, it is now thought that this object is more likely to be a sound box for a musical instrument (harp). One side of the panel shows soldiers, chariots and the King waiting to mount his chariot. The other side shows a more peaceful scene as the king is at a party surrounded by his officials and friends, there are also scenes of trade and farming.