Cosmetic materials and paraphernalia in ancient Iraq

Abstract EN

Most of the women and men tombs of the early dynastic period at ur and kish contained cosmetic shells or cosmetic pigments.

the cosmetic shells were also made of gold or silver.

it seems that cosmetic pigments in khafajah were preserved in stone jars.

in the royal cemetery of ur especially in the tomb of queen puabi precious cosmetic boxes and cosmetic containers were discovered.

the cosmetic pigments indicate the white, red, blue, green, purple and black or black brown.

the pigments were used to decorate the eyes, eyebrows, lips and the cheeks.

the main point behind using the khol or the eyeliner was to enlarge the eyes, because the big and open eyes signify life compared to the closed eyes, which indicate death.

the using of khol and other cosmetic pigments show the power and vitality of the person.

mirror was the most important items of cosmetic equipments.

mirrors were made at the beginning of polished obsidian, and then from copper.

several mirrors were discovered at ur, tello, private houses at kish, at khafajah, khorsbad and also in nimrud.

mirror is only one time attested in relief from the neo-assyrian period on bronze plaque.

the mirror in the ancient near east may have served as a divine attribute.

combs also were very important in mesopotamian for both men and women.

combs were discovered in both men and women graves, and were placed above the knee or near the head.

often made from ivory, the comb was decorated with geometric motifs or ceremonial scenery.

besides cosmetic shells, cosmetic pigments, mirrors and combs, metal kit, razors, blades and other cosmetic equipments were also discovered.