Name of Object:

The Black Obelisk of Assyrian King Shalmaneser III

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Holding Institution:

The British Museum

 About The British Museum, London

Date of Object:

Obelisk: 825 BC; photo: 1876

Author:

Photographer: Frederick York

Inventory Number:

BM 118885

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Stone

Provenance:

Nimrud

Description:

The Black Obelisk of Assyrian King Shalmaneser III was excavated by a British expedition at Nimrud (Iraq) in 1846. There was great excitement when it was found to contain reference to Biblical king Jehu. Furthermore, it depicted his image, still the oldest image of a king of Israel.

Citation of this web page:

"The Black Obelisk of Assyrian King Shalmaneser III" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2023. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;uk;166;en;N

MWNF Working Number: UK 166