Amulet

This white stone amulet is carved in the form of a shrewmouse. The flat underside is decorated with a drilled design. When pressed in clay or wax it would leave an impression which may have been used to mark ownership or guarantee authenticity. A hole pierced through the width of the amulet allowed it to be threaded and carried by the owner. Two holes in place of eyes once held inlays, perhaps of coloured stone or metal. Details of the ears and legs are finely carved. The amulet is of a type known from the ancient site of Jemdet Nasr (Uruk III culture) of southern Mesopotamia.