September 2015: Queen Pu-Abi of Ur: A Love Story

Sunday, Sept 20, 2015 at 3pm

The Dr. George G. Hackman Memorial Lecture

Queen Pu-Abi of Ur: A Love Story

Dr. Paul Zimmerman

In January 1928 Leonard Woolley, excavating at the site of Ur in Iraq, announced one of the most spectacular archaeological finds of all time: the tomb of Queen Pu-Abi. Dressed in gold and carnelian and accompanied to her grave by a retinue of attendants, the burial was an elaborate and expensive affair, and its discovery made international headlines. But Woolley wrote, too, of a touchingly human side to this Mesopotamian Queen: her tomb was carefully arranged next to that of her husband. Though the king’s identity was never determined, Woolley was sure that the two tombs showed a devotion that transcended their mortal lives. Recent studies led by archaeologists at the University of Pennsylvania Museum permit us to re-examine the materials from the Royal Cemetery of Ur and propose answers to the questions that Woolley posed. Who was Pu-Abi? How did her attendants die? Who was her king?

Unless otherwise noted Lectures are on Sundays at 3pm in Spiro Hall 2, Wagner College,
631 Howard Avenue (1 Campus Road), Grymes Hill, Staten Island, NY 10301

AIA lectures (Oct 18 & April 24) are FREE and open to all
ASSI lectures are free for ASSI and AIA members, students 22 years or younger
And Wagner Faculty and Staff – Please show ID
Others may attend ASSI lectures for a $5.00 donation or may join the ASSI at the door.

Meet the speaker over coffee and cake following each lecture
For more information write: The Archaeology Society of Staten Island P.O. Box 140504
Staten Island, NY 10314-0504