Near Eastern Institute

Black Obelisk of Nimrud

The Black Obelisk was found in northern Iraq, a remnant of ancient Kahlu (Nimrud) under the reign of Shalmaneser III which lasted in the period between 858 BC and 824 BC. It is a black limestone sculpture reinforced by bas (a bas-relief sculpture) which belongs to the Neo-Assyrian age. The Black Obelisk was articulately constructed as a public monument at a time when there was a waging civil war in 825 BCE.

It is attributed not only for exhibiting the earliest prehistoric depiction of an Israelite; but also as being the most complete Assyrian obelisk ever discovered. For that historical implication and utmost significance, various special people from all walks of life and regions go to visit the Black Obelisk as well as make special tribute offerings.

The physical dimensions of the Black Obelisk were intricately assembled into an exquisite yet symbolical sculpture that is well documented in the history books. It has a height of approximately 6.5 feet (197.85 cm), and a width of just about 1.5 feet (45.08 cm). There are twenty reliefs on the obelisk with 5 reliefs on each side. The reliefs convey honour and deference to the Assyrian king; they signify five different kings that were subjugated during their reigns. The kings are in a descending order: 1) Sua of Gilzanu (north-western region of Iran); 2) ‘Jehu of Bit Omri’ (also known as Jehu of the House of Omri); 3) an unidentified ruler of Musri (likely Egypt); 4) Marduk-apil-usur of Suhi (Syria, middle Euphrates, and Iraq); and 5) Qalparunda of Patin (Antakya region ofTurkey). Each backdrop is in four panels that occur all around the monument, with a corresponding description above them in cuneiform script.

There is in the Bible importance and some connotation to the Black Obelisk. The relief signifying King Jehu (a biblical king of Israel) also includes the earliest surviving picture of an Israelite. The picture illustrates how King Jehu either sent or conveyed his tribute at about the period in 841 BCE. King Jehu dissolved the associations of Israel with Judah and Phoenicia and became an Assyrian subject. Just above the scene is a cuneiform caption translated to:

“THE TRIBUTE OF JEHU, SON OF OMRI: I have accepted from him gold, silver, golden tumblers, golden buckets, a golden bowl, golden vase with a pointed base, tin, a staff for a king and spears.”

There are memos of the annals of Shalmaneser III which have been inscribed in a long cuneiform at the top and bottom of the reliefs. The inscriptions are a thirty-one year catalogue of the military operations headed by the king and his commander-in-chief led every year till the end of the reign 31 years later. It is also evident that some of the features are a strong indication that the work may have been assigned by Dayyan-Assur, the commander-in-chief.

Discovery of the Black Obelisk is thanks to Sir Henry Layard (an archaeologist) who found this memorial sculpture of prehistoric times. The Black Obelisk is presently in display at the British Museum where it is preserved and cared for. There is also a mock-up model of the Black Obelisk at the Oriental Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

It is probably one of the most historically and biblically significant limestone sculpture; and from its unique structure and rich background, it’s easy to see why.

Video of the Black Obelisk among other Assyrian treasures at the British Museum: