In the 1920s, archaeologists uncovered over 1,000 ancient Sumerian graves in Ur, southern Iraq—including royal tombs filled with gold, musical instruments, and the remains of attendants who died in ritual sacrifice. In this richly illustrated lecture with art historian Brenda Edgar, we’ll explore what these grave goods and burial practices reveal about the beliefs of the world’s first civilizations. From the deadly rites of Sumer to the jewel-filled tombs of Assyrian queens, join us for a journey into the ancient rituals of death, royalty, and the afterlife.