Posted: January 22nd, 2024

The Influences of Sumerian art found in Hittite art creations

The Influences of Sumerian art found in Hittite art creations
Sumerian art is one of the oldest and most influential forms of artistic expression in human history. It emerged from the ancient civilization of Sumer, which flourished in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) between the 4th and 2nd millennia BCE. Sumerian art reflects the culture, religion, politics, and economy of its creators, and it influenced many subsequent civilizations in the region, such as the Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Hittites.

One of the most notable examples of Sumerian art’s influence can be seen in Hittite art, which developed in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) between the 18th and 13th centuries BCE. The Hittites were a powerful Indo-European people who established a large empire that rivaled those of Egypt and Babylon. They also interacted with the Sumerians and other Mesopotamian cultures through trade, diplomacy, and warfare. As a result, they adopted and adapted many aspects of Sumerian art in their own artistic creations.

Some of the main features of Sumerian art that can be found in Hittite art are:

– The use of cylinder seals: These were small cylindrical objects made of stone, metal, or clay that were engraved with images and inscriptions. They were used to stamp impressions on clay tablets, documents, or objects to indicate ownership, identity, or authenticity. The Sumerians invented this form of art and used it extensively for various purposes, such as recording transactions, sealing contracts, or expressing religious beliefs. The Hittites also adopted this practice and produced their own cylinder seals with distinctive motifs and styles. For example, some Hittite cylinder seals depict scenes of hunting, warfare, or ritual ceremonies involving animals or deities.
– The use of cuneiform writing: This was a system of writing that used wedge-shaped signs to represent sounds or concepts. It was invented by the Sumerians around the 4th millennium BCE and became the dominant form of writing in Mesopotamia and beyond. The Hittites learned cuneiform from their Mesopotamian neighbors and used it to write their own language, which was unrelated to any other known language at the time. They also used cuneiform to write in other languages, such as Akkadian, Babylonian, or Hurrian. Cuneiform writing can be seen on many Hittite artifacts, such as clay tablets, monuments, or sculptures.
– The use of monumental sculpture: This was a form of art that involved creating large-scale statues or reliefs that depicted human or divine figures. The Sumerians were among the first to create monumental sculpture and used it to decorate their temples, palaces, or public spaces. They often portrayed their rulers or gods in an idealized or stylized manner, emphasizing their power or authority. The Hittites also created monumental sculpture and used it to express their political or religious ideology. For example, some Hittite sculptures depict their king or queen as a warrior or a priest(ess), while others show their gods as fierce animals or hybrid creatures.
– The use of metalwork: This was a form of art that involved creating objects or ornaments from metals such as gold, silver, bronze, or iron. The Sumerians were skilled metalworkers and used metal for various purposes, such as making weapons, tools, jewelry, or vessels. They also developed techniques such as casting, hammering, engraving, or inlaying to create intricate designs or patterns on metal surfaces. The Hittites were also proficient metalworkers and used metal for similar purposes as the Sumerians. They also improved their metallurgy skills by discovering how to smelt iron from ore and produce stronger weapons or armor.

These are some of the main influences of Sumerian art on Hittite art that demonstrate the cultural exchange and interaction between these two ancient civilizations. Sumerian art not only influenced Hittite art but also inspired many other artistic traditions in the Near East and beyond.

Bibliography:

– Frankfort, H. (1954). The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient. Yale University Press.
– Moorey, P.R.S. (1999). Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries: The Archaeological Evidence. Eisenbrauns.
– Neve, P. (1993). Hattusha: City of Gods and Temples: New Discoveries in Anatolia’s Ancient Capital. Philipp von Zabern.
– Roaf, M. (1990). Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East. Facts on File.
– Steadman, S.R., & McMahon G. (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Anatolia: (10,000-323 BCE). Oxford University Press.
– Winter I.J. (2007). On Art in the Ancient Near East: Volume I: Of the First Millennium BCE. Brill.

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