Sumeria · Archaic Dynastic I–II
Worshiper of Tell Asmar A worshiper before divinity
Hands together and eyes wide open on a figure less than thirty centimeters tall.
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History and context Evidence and facts Objects connected through time Further reading Where it is held Sources and references Comments Museum documentation · free public access, no account required.
⛶ Enlarge imagePHOTOGRAPH OF THE ORIGINAL · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York · CC0 1.0 / Met Open Access Documentary original · Exact correspondence
Photograph of the preserved original: Male worshiper from Tell Asmar.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York · Inventory: 40.156 · CC0 1.0 / Met Open Access
History and context The figure maintains a posture of attention, with his hands joined and his gaze highlighted by inlays. His eyes did not come from just carving a stone: the sculptor combined materials to make them visible.
The museum interprets her as a worshiper, a dedicated presence before divinity. We do not know a name that would allow it to become a specific king. Its small scale reminds us that religion was also expressed through objects that fit close to a person, not only in large buildings.
Evidence and interpretation Votive statue of 29,5 cm. The attribution of the temple to Abu is possible, not certain; Nor is this figure identified as a proven portrait of a god.
Catalogue facts
Date of piece Towards 2900–2600 BCE
Culture and period Sumeria · Archaic Dynastic I–II
Provenance Square Temple of Eshnunna / Tell Asmar, Iraq
Material Gypsum alabaster, shell, black limestone and bitumen
Inventory 40.156 Stone29 Shell and mother-of-pearl10 Figurines20 Human imagery73 Worship and offerings29
The order uses the midpoint of each approximate date range; ranges can overlap. Spacing does not represent elapsed time. Swipe, scroll or use the arrows. With the sequence focused, use ← / →, Home or End.
Earlier Later
≈425,000–375,000 years
Swanscombe handaxe Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age for the Hoxnian interglacial (MIS 11); editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record ≈77,000–75,000 years
Engraved ochre from Blombos Prehistory
Approximate catalogue age; editorial reference 2026 for ordering only, not calibrated dating.
Read the record ≈25.500–23.500 BCE
Before the San San histories
Date of the representative element, not ethnic attribution of its authors.
Read the record ≈25.500–23.500 BCE
Before the name San San histories
Dating of the context of the slabs; anonymous authors.
Read the record PPNA · site proposal: ≈9600–8800 BCE, provisional
Engraved stone from Çakmaktepe Prehistory
Provisional date range for the site; not direct dating of this stone.
Read the record PPNA · ≈9600–8800 BCE, provisional proposal for the site
Grinding stone from Çakmaktepe Prehistory
Provisional date range for the site and the published tools; the identification of the image is unverified.
Read the record End of the 4th millennium BCE
Warka Mask Sumer
The full 4th millennium BCE provides broad limits for chronological ordering; the record specifies the end of the millennium.
Read the record c. 3500–3100 BCE
Cylinder seal Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 3300–3000 BCE
Uruk Vase Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 3100 BCE
Narmer Palette Ancient Egypt
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record You are viewing Towards 2900–2600 BCE
Worshiper of Tell Asmar Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Current record Towards 2400 BCE
Statue of Ebih-Il Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record ca. 2600–1900 BCE
Overlapping dates Weights Indus civilisation
Date range for the system of weights, not a year-specific date for each example.
Read the record Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE
Lamassu of Khorsabad Sumer
Reign interval associated with the piece.
Read the record 645–635 BCE
Ashurbanipal Hunt Sumer
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record c. 800–300 BCE
Heads on the wall Pre-Inca cultures
Framework of the set of architectural heads.
Read the record first quarter of the 5th century BCE
Sarcophagus of Eshmunazar Phoenicians
First quarter of the 5th century BCE
Read the record First half of the 4th century BCE
The statue was the urn Iberians
First half of the 4th century BCE; date of the funerary context.
Read the record 4th century BCE
The inscription of Pistiros Thracians
Approximate dating according to the record.
Read the record 11 / 19 In the centre: Worshiper of Tell Asmar
Also connected, without a comparable date (10) These objects are not placed after the others: an unknown date does not mean a more recent object.
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Shell and mother-of-pearl 'Jamila's' necklace · ≈7250–7000 BCE · PrehistoryWorshiper of Tell Asmar · Towards 2900–2600 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingRoyal Game of Ur · 2600–2400 BCE · SumerThe goat from PG 1237 · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerStandard of Ur · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerStatue of Ebih-Il · Towards 2400 BCE · SumerThe Gallery of the Conch Shells · Main use c. 800–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesMissing grave goods · 13th–15th centuries according to the heritage overview · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Figurines Hohle Fels · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryWillendorf · ≈29,500 years · PrehistoryBrno II Articulated Figure · ≈28,000 years cal BP · by funerary association · PrehistoryDolní Věstonice I · ≈29,000–27,000 years · PrehistoryLespugue · ≈28,000 years · PrehistoryKostenki I · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryZaraysk Bison · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryWorshiper of Tell Asmar · Towards 2900–2600 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingOffering 4 · c. 800–600 BCE · Maya worldsKushite king · c. 721–664 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · IberiansShabti of Psamtek · 570–526 BCE · Ancient EgyptLa Venta grave goods · ca. 600–400 BCE · Maya worldsLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · IberiansThracian Gladiator from Cádiz · 67–100 CE · Etruscans and RomeWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Human imagery Lion-man · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryHohle Fels · ≈40,000 years · Aurignacian · PrehistoryWillendorf · ≈29,500 years · PrehistoryBrno II Articulated Figure · ≈28,000 years cal BP · by funerary association · PrehistoryDolní Věstonice I · ≈29,000–27,000 years · PrehistoryLespugue · ≈28,000 years · PrehistoryKostenki I · ≈23,000–21,000 years · PrehistoryShigir Idol · C. 10,000 BCE · approximation; debated dating · PrehistoryNahal Hemar mask · Eighth millennium BCE · context dating, not direct dating of the stone · PrehistoryEl Miradero spatula-idols · ≈4000–3800 cal BCE · PrehistoryWarka Mask · End of the 4th millennium BCE · SumerCueva de las Manos · Sequence ≈9300–1300 BP · PrehistoryUruk Vase · ca. 3300–3000 BCE · SumerWorshiper of Tell Asmar · Towards 2900–2600 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingStandard of Ur · ca. 2600–2400 BCE · SumerStatue of Ebih-Il · Towards 2400 BCE · SumerAkkadian sovereign head · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerBassetki Statue · Akkadian period · 23rd century BCE · SumerBefore Pre-Inca Cultures · Kotosh-Mito Tradition, c. 2200–1500 BCE; the enclosure is usually situated around 1800 BCE. · Pre-Inca culturesQueen of the Night · 19th–18th centuries BCE · SumerBull-leaping · c. 1600–1450 BCE · Greek worldsWooden faces · c. 1600–1000 BCE, in several phases · Maya worldsHead 2 · c. 1200–900 BCE · Maya worldsIvory in Nimrud · 9th–8th centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLas Limas · c. 1000–600 BCE · Maya worldsAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · PhoeniciansAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · IberiansLamassu of Khorsabad · Reign of Sargon II · 721–705 BCE · SumerThe Lanzón · c. 900–500 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesOffering 4 · c. 800–600 BCE · Maya worldsKushite king · c. 721–664 BCE · Nubia, Kerma and KushThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · PhoeniciansThe so-called ‘Priest of Cádiz’ · 7th century BCE · IberiansHeads on the wall · c. 800–300 BCE · Pre-Inca culturesShabti of Psamtek · 570–526 BCE · Ancient EgyptTwo voices in an urn · 530–520 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe god on the roof · Towards 510–500 BCE · Etruscans and RomeGlazed brick guards · 522–486 BCE · Achaemenid PersiaTwenty-three delegations · 6th–5th centuries BCE, mainly under Darius and Xerxes · Achaemenid PersiaBanquet under leopards · Around 480–470 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe statue was the urn · First half of the 4th century BCE · IberiansA battle on a comb · Early 4th century BCE · Scythians and SakaThe Kul-Oba vase · 4th century BCE · Greek worldsThe Solokha gold comb · 4th century BCE · Greek worldsFaces of the Steppe · Second half of the 4th century BCE · Scythians and SakaLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansPunic head pendant · Mid 4th–3rd centuries BCE · PhoeniciansLady of Ibiza · 4th–3rd centuries BCE · IberiansThe Raimondi Stele · c. 400–200 BCE according to MNAAHP · Pre-Inca culturesChão de Lamas pectoral · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · concealed in the early 1st century BCE · IberiansVas dels Guerrers · 3rd–early 2nd century BCE · IberiansWarriors' Vase · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · IberiansThe dismantled cauldron · 2nd–1st centuries BCE · Celtic worldsThe walls of San Bartolo · c. 100 BCE · Maya worldsGladiators Cup of Chavagnes · 25–75 CE · Etruscans and RomeThracian Gladiator from Cádiz · 67–100 CE · Etruscans and RomeTorreáguila fountain spout · 101–125 CE · Etruscans and RomeArticulated doll from Tarragona · Late 3rd–4th century CE · Etruscans and RomeSeven heads · c. 500–700 CE · Bantu-speaking worldsSeated figure · 13th century, date attributed by the museum · Mande WorldsKongo crucifix · 16th–17th centuries · Bantu-speaking worldsKuba ndop · ca. 1760 · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
Before Persia · Central core c. seventeenth century BCE; Neo-Elamite additions between the ninth and sixth centuries BCE · Achaemenid PersiaBhimbetka · Mesolithic–historical and medieval period · PrehistoryEland Cave · Regional tradition of ≈4,000 years · up to historical period · PrehistoryFour offerers · Iberian period · individual dating according to catalogue · IberiansGame Pass Shelter · Regional rock art chronology · panel not dated in isolation · San historiesLararium of Vilauba · Roman period · Etruscans and RomeLeang Karampuang · Minimum 51,200 years · dating published in 2024 · PrehistoryQuinkan Country · Regional art up to ≈27,000 BP · modern continuity · PrehistorySierra de San Francisco · Broad tradition with direct dates ≈5290–295 BP · PrehistoryTassili n’Ajjer · Corpus ≈6000 BCE–first centuries CE · PrehistoryThe Thracian Horseman · Roman era · diffusion especially in the 2nd–3rd centuries CE · ThraciansWorship and offerings Uruk Vase · ca. 3300–3000 BCE · SumerWorshiper of Tell Asmar · Towards 2900–2600 BCE · Sumer — You are viewingStatue of Ebih-Il · Towards 2400 BCE · SumerBefore Phoenicia · 20th–18th centuries BCE · PhoeniciansJue · c. sixteenth century BCE · Ancient ChinaRubber before the stadium · c. 1600–1200 BCE for the oldest specimens · Maya worldsWooden faces · c. 1600–1000 BCE, in several phases · Maya worldsLiding · 12th–11th centuries BCE · Ancient ChinaAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · PhoeniciansAstarte from El Carambolo · 8th century BCE · IberiansThe invisible mosaic · c. 900–600 BCE · Maya worldsOffering 4 · c. 800–600 BCE · Maya worldsUni was also Astarte · Towards 510 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThe god on the roof · Towards 510–500 BCE · Etruscans and RomeThoth in the form of a baboon · 664–30 BCE · Ancient EgyptPoroina Mare Rhyton · Second half of the 4th century BCE · ThraciansEight voices in one hand · 3rd–2nd centuries BCE · Gojoseon and early KoreaThirty-nine buried bells · Buried towards the 1st century BCE–1st century CE · Yayoi JapanBetatun altar · 1st century BCE–1st century CE · IberiansKongo crucifix · 16th–17th centuries · Bantu-speaking worldsWithout a comparable date (not part of the chronological order):
A closer look About 1 min to read · 1 section. Further reading and sources · free access. Editorial review recorded: September 14, 2026 .
To remain before a god without being there According to the Met's interpretation, the statue was to pray continuously on behalf of the person represented. It was not simply a souvenir of a visit: its material presence prolonged that of the dedicator within the temple. The museum places this idea in a world where divine images could also be understood as effective presences. It is important to distinguish the functions: this figure represents a worshiper, not a cult statue safely identified with the god of the sanctuary.
Where it is held Item or group in the record · Documented collection
Institution that preserves the piece; Check with the museum about its availability to visit.
Item or group in the record · Documented collection
The holding institution is documented; public display may change. Check its official record before visiting.
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