DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANS AND EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCES IN THEM,1

Plan 1.

SHOWING THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE EXCAVATIONS IN THE GREAT MOUND AT NIMROUD.

a. The pyramid, or high conical mound, in the north-west corner. Two trenches were opened in it, but no remains of building were discovered.

b. Trenches opened in the platform immediately beneath the pyramid. Five or six feet beneath the surface, were discovered part of a pavement of large baked bricks, bearing the name of the king who built the north-west palace, fragments of pottery, and masonry of unburnt bricks, but no remains of sculpture, or alabaster slabs.

c. The north-west palace. (See plan 3.)

d. Deep trenches showing remains of painted chambers, but no sculptures or alabaster slabs, except for pavement at the entrances. Fragments of pottery, and remains of masonry in unbaked bricks. In some places a pavement of baked bricks.

e. Upper chambers in a part of the mound elevated above the rest of the platform. (See plan 4.)

f. A mass of solid masonry of unbaked bricks, reaching almost to the surface of the platform; perhaps originally a part of the outer wall. No remains of pottery, or alabaster slabs.

g. The south-west palace. (See plan 2.)

h. Trenches showing remains of wall cased with alabaster slabs; probably originally sculptured, but completely destroyed by fire. The mound is here lower than at g.

i. Remains of centre palace; a pair of gigantic bulls, partly destroyed, and several bas-reliefs removed from their original places. Above the ruins numerous tombs.

ii. A large number of sculptured slabs, placed one above the other.

j. Trench in which the obelisk of black marble was discovered.

k. Part of the mound separated by a deep ravine from h. The trenches opened in it showed remains of painted chambers, and masonry of unbaked bricks. Fragments of a bull, or lion, in yellow limestone, and of an obelisk, or monument, in black stone, and painted bricks, and pottery, were discovered here.

1. A platform, or pavement, of thick plaster, immediately above the ravine.

m. Remains of south-east edifice. (See plan 5.) No sculptures, or alabaster slabs. Above ruins, sarcophagi, tombs, and a large quantity of pottery.

n. Trenches opened into the mound from the outer slope. Remains of building similar to those at m, and probably all part of one large edifice. Pottery, sarcophagi, &c., above the ruins.

o. Deep trenches. No remains of sculpture or alabaster slabs. Some pottery amongst the rubbish, and part of a pavement, in large baked brick?, at a considerable depth beneath the surface.

p. Similar trenches. A pavement of baked bricks, part of a wall in roughly hewn blocks of limestone, a few fragments of pottery, and three lion's paws in copper discovered. No remains of sculpture or alabaster slabs.

q. Similar trenches, showing a pavement of baked bricks, and of limestone slabs, but no other remains of building.

r. Trenches cut from the eastern face of the mound through a solid mass, or wall, of sun-dried bricks, nearly fifty feet thick. In this wall was discovered the small vaulted chamber.

s. Deep trenches through the outer wall. No other remains of building.

t. Trenches in which fragments of pottery and part of a pavement were discovered, but no remains of building.

Plan 2.

This building is situated in the south-west corner of the mound, and is built of slabs evidently brought from elsewhere, the inscriptions upon most of them being similar to those in the north-west palace. The only bas-reliefs, which may have faced the chambers, are those in walls n, o, r, rr, q, ss, t, u, v; but they also appear to have belonged to another building: all the others have their sculptured sides turned towards the wall of sun-dried bricks. It is sometimes doubtful which way the slabs face; as, for instance, in wall ss, where the opposite slabs have not been discovered. All the walls, except n, q, s, ss, and t, have been destroyed by fire.

WALL a.

All the slabs, except 5 and 10, are unsculptured, and have on the back the inscription found behind the slabs in the north-west palace, from whence they were evidently brought. Slabs 5 and 10 appear to have been taken from the centre palace. The bas-reliefs face the wall of sun-dried bricks.

No. 5. King in a castle, receiving his vizir. He is seated on his throne, and surrounded by his attendants. Above him is a groom feeding a horse tied to a manger.

10. Horseman wearing a helmet with a curved crest, pursued by two Assyrian warriors. He is apparently asking for quarter; and his horse, pierced by two spears, is rearing.

Entrance a, formed by a pair of gigantic human-headed winged lions, much injured, facing inwards. Between them, two small crouching sphinxes, of alabaster.

Entrance b. A pair of winged bulls, much injured. Between them two double crouching sphinxes.

Entrance c. A pair of winged bulls. The human head of No. 1. has been sent to England.

Entrance d. Unsculptured slabs, with inscription of northwest palace.

WALL b.

Unsculptured slabs destroyed by fire.

WALL c.

Unsculptured slabs, with the inscription of the north-west palace.

WALL d.

The same. In front of the projecting part of this wall, as at g, h, and ii, were low circlar pedestals, the use of which I am unable to conjecture.

WALL e.

Slabs with bas-reliefs erased, and the face made smooth, preparatory to being re-sculptured. (See page 29. Vol. II.)

No. 1., adjoining entrance e, the only slab sculptured; divided into two compartments: the upper bas-relief, partly destroyed, representing warriors hewing down trees; the lower, a warrior on horseback, hunting the wild bull.

WALL f.

No. 1. Sculptured slab turned towards the wall. Two bas-reliefs divided by the standard inscription of the north-west palace. In upper compartment, a battle with warriors in chariots. (See page 40. Vol. I.) In lower compartment, siege of a castle or walled city; warriors mounting a scaling-ladder, and setting fire to gates. Other warriors in turrets, discharging arrows and slinging stones at the assailants. (See page 41. Vol. I.) Both these bas-reliefs were greatly injured.

2. Corner-stone, partly destroyed; also divided into two compartments: the upper occupied by a horseman, and a warrior in a chariot; the lower by a castle, a woman on the walls tearing her hair, and a fisherman beneath drawing a fish from a stream. This slab was reversed.

The remaining slabs were unsculptured, had evidently never been placed, and were lying at the foot of the wall of sun-dried bricks. The inscriptions upon them showed that they had been taken from the north-west palace.

WALL g.

There were no traces of slabs, except at the eastern end of the wall.

WALL h.

No. 1. Two bas-reliefs, divided by the standard inscription of the north-west palace. In the upper, the king in his chariot, in battle, discharging an arrow against a charioteer. In the lower, two kneeling archers, and an eunuch discharging an arrow; behind them prisoners, raising their hands.

2. A corner-stone, reversed, containing the upper part of a figure, with a conical cap, the rest of the figure being purposely destroyed.

1st slab, on ground, divided into two compartments. The upper much injured. A chariot and warriors on foot could be traced. In the lower, the siege of a castle. A warrior cutting a bucket from a rope passed through a pulley.

WALL i.

Unsculptured slabs.

ii, ii. Two winged human-headed bulls, entirely in relief.

WALLS j and jj.

Unsculptured slabs, with the usual inscription of the northwest palace.

WALL h.

Unsculptured slabs, except Nos. 12, 16, and 17.

No. 12. Divided into two compartments, by standard inscription of north-west palace. The bas-relief in the upper much injured, only lower parts of figures remaining; the lower containing four figures, carrying supplies for a banquet.

16. Colossal figure, holding a flower with three blossoms in one hand.

17. Winged figure, almost completely destroyed.

On the ground, opposite 18, a square slab, with an inscription.

WALL l.

Traces of sculpture exist on the backs of several slabs, which have been destroyed by fire. The slab on the ground has no inscription, and is raised round the edges.

WALL m.

Unsculptured slabs, with the usual inscription from the north-west palace, with the exception of one slab, on which could be traced the remains of a colossal figure.

WALL n.

No. 1. Unsculptured

2. Two groups of warriors discharging arrows; probably from centre palace.

3. Horsemen pursuing enemy. Vulture above, with the entrails of the slain.

Another slab, which had not been placed, Was found near this wall. It contained a bas-relief with several castles on a hill, but was greatly injured.

WALL o.

All the slabs in this wall appear to have been sculptured, but the bas-reliefs were almost completely destroyed.

WALL p.

The panelling of alabaster slabs had disappeared.

WALL q.

No. 1. Divided into two compartments. In the lower, the king, and his vizir, standing over a prostrate enemy; followed by their eunuchs and other attendants. The upper compartment was almost entirely destroyed, but appears to have contained warriors on horseback. A wounded figure, wearing a helmet with a curved crest, was seen beneath the horse's feet.

2. Appears to have been a continuation of No. i.; but only the feet of several figures, probably attendants, could be distinguished.

3. Upper compartment destroyed. In the lower, a king, holding his bow horizontally; an attendant carrying his arms.

The remaining slabs appear to have contained winged figures, but were almost completely destroyed.

WALL r.

No. 1. Divided by an inscription into two compartments. In the lower, a charioteer in a chariot, the horses of which are held by a groom on foot, preceded by an eunuch. In the upper, also a chariot, and a man on foot. Almost entirely destroyed.

2. Divided, like the preceding, into two compartments. In the lower, the king with his foot on the neck of a prostrate prisoner; vizir and attendants. In the upper (nearly defaced), figures of warriors discharging arrows could be traced.

3. Divided In the centre by an inscription. In lower compartment, a procession of warriors bearing idols on their shoulders. (See Vol. II. p. 55.) In upper, the siege of a city. These bas-reliefs appear to have been taken from the same edifice as Nos. 1, 2, and 3. of wall q.

WALL rr.

The remains of three slabs, on which were sculptured two winged figures and a king.

WALL s.

Only two slabs discovered. No. 1., unsculptured: No. 2., colossal figure carrying a mace; much injured.

WALL ss.

Only part of one slab remaining, with two colossal figures separated by the symbolical tree.

WALL t.

The lower part of several slabs, with the feet ol' colossal figures.

WALLS u, v.

Slabs greatly injured by fire. All appear to have been sculptured with colossal figures; but scarcely any [)art of the bas-reliefs could be distinguished, except a winged figure leading a goat, or an ibex, on slab 2, wall v.

Entrance f, formed by a pair of winged bulls, which had been almost entirely destroyed.

WALL w.

Only part of this wall could be traced by the remains of burnt slabs of alabaster.

Plan 3.

A.

Unsculptured slabs with the standard inscription on both sides. This was the first chamber discovered.

B.

Entrance a. 1 and 2, Winged human-headed lions, facing chamber B.

No. 1. Eagle-headed, winged, human figure, bearing square vessel and fir-cone.

2. Corner-stone, with sacred tree.

3 and 4. Each divided into two compartments, by standard inscription. In upper, one subject — king in his chariot, followed by warriors, fighting under the walls of a hostile castle. Above his head, the winged deity in a circle, discharging an arrow. Behind the king, three chariots, containing warriors.

5 and 6. Upper compartments contain one subject — procession of king and warriors returning after victory. Heads of the slain brought before them. Musicians playing on stringed instruments. Over the king's head presiding divinity with bow. Eunuch raising the parasol.

7, Upper compartment — interior of a castle and a pavilion. Figures engaged in domestic occupations; eunuch receiving prisoners; horses feeding; lion-headed human figures in one corner.

8, 9, 10. 11. Upper compartments, one subject — a battle scene. King in his chariot, accompanied by warriors and eunuchs in chariots and on horses; enemy on foot; eagles flying over the victors; winged divinity in a circle above the king.

3, 4, 5. Lower compartments — siege of a castle. Battering-ram attached to a moveable tower; figures in armour undermining the walls; women on towers tearing their hair ^ scaling-ladders placed against the walls. The king discharging an arrow, protected by the shield of a warrior, and attended by two eunuchs. Vizir, and other figures, some kneeling, others standing, discharging arrows on the other side of the castle.

6, 7, 8. Lower compartments. King, followed by his chariot and attendants, and by the chariots of his warriors, receiving captives. Women viewing the procession from the walls of a castle.

9, 10, 11. Lower compartments. King crossing a river in a boat; smaller boats, carrying chariots and furniture; figures swimming on inflated skins, others tying up their skins on the bank; embarcation of the chariots; three attendants superintending the passage of the river.

12. Colossal figure of the king, holding a cup in one hand, and his bow in the other; attended by eunuch carrying his arms.

13. Two kings facing one another, and attended by winged figures; a bas-relief similar to that on slab 23.

14. Similar to slab 12.

15. Colossal winged figure facing entrance b, with garland round head, carrying a flower with five branches in one hand, and square vessel in the other.

Entrance h. 1 and 2, Winged human-headed bulls in yellow limestone, facing chamber B. 3 and 4, slabs with standard inscription.

16. Similar to 15; figure facing entrance b.

17. Upper compartment — castle by a river. One tower defended by an armed man, two others occupied by females; three men swimming across the stream, two on inflated skins; two warriors on the bank, discharging arrows against the fugitives; trees in the background.

18. Upper compartment — siege of city, with battering-ram and moveable tower; king and his attendants under the walls.

17 and 18. Lower compartments contain one subject — king followed by his chariot and attendants, receiving prisoners.

19. Upper compartment — king hunting the lion.

19. Lower compartment — king raising the sacred cup, and standing over the conquered lion.

20. Upper compartment — king hunting the wild bull.

20. Lower compartment — king raising sacred cup, and standing over prostrate bulk

21. Corner-stone, similar to No. 2.

22. Colossal winged figure, with three-horned cap, carrying; basket and fir-cone: facing 23.

23. Slab cut into a recess in which are two kings facing one another, separated by the symbolical tree, and each followed by a winged figure carrying fir- cone and basket. Above the sacred tree, and between the kings, is the winged divinity in a circle, holding a ring in one hand. In front of this sculpture was a large slab for a throne or altar.

24. Colossal winged figure, similar to No. 22.: facing 23.

25. Corner-stone, similar to No. 2.

26. Colossal human figure, with four wings; the right hand raised, and in the left a mace: facing entrance c.

Entrance c. 1 and 2, Winged human-headed lions, with human arms, and with their hands crossed in front: facing chamber E. 3 and 4, slabs with standard inscription.

27 and 28. Divided into two compartments — the upper completely destroyed. The lower contains one subject — the siege of a castle standing by a river or the sea. The inhabitants wear rounded caps made up of bands. A horseman, pursued by an Assyrian warrior in a chariot, discharges an arrow, turning backwards.

29. Colossal winged human figure, carrying stag on one arm, and in the left hand a flower with five blossoms; facing entrance d.

Entrance d. 1 and 2, Human-headed lions with arms, similar to those at entrance e, but carrying a stag or ram on one arm, and holding a flower with three blossoms in the right hand: facing chamber D. 3 and 4, unsculptured slabs with standard inscription.

30. Two colossal winged human figures, back to back. That to the east similar to No. 29, and facing entrance d; the other bearing the square vessel and fir-cone, and facing No. 31.

31. Corner-stone, similar to No. 2.

32. Eagle-headed winded human figure, similar to No. 1.

C.

On all the slabs, 13 in number, except 6, 7, and 8, are colossal winged figures with horned cap, bearing square vessel and fir-cone, in pairs, facing one another, and separated by the emblematical tree.

6. Colossal winged figure and eunuch attending upon the king.

7. King holding cup and bow.

8. Winged figure and eunuch attending on the king.

Entrance b. 1 and 2, Colossal winged figures with garland round the head. 3 and 4, unsculptured slabs.

Entrance c. Unsulptured slabs with usual inscription.

D.

Slab 1. Winged figure, about fourteen feet high, with three-horned cap, fir-cone, and square vessel.

2. Colossal figure of king holding bow and arrows, followed by eunuch, carrying his arms: facing No. 3.

3. Vizir, facing the king (No. 2.), and followed by eunuch.

4. Also vizir followed by eunuch.

5. 6, 7, 8. Colossal figures, apparently captives, bringing, as presents or tribute, ear-rings, bracelets, &c. Figure on slab 7, accompanied by two monkeys. All facing entrance d.

E.

Nos. 1 and 2. Figures resembling Nos. 5 — 8, chamber D, bringing ear-rings, bracelets, and other ornaments on trays. 3 and 4. Similar to 1 and 2. 5. Gigantic winged figure resembling No. 1. chamber D,

F.

All the slabs, except No. 4., occupied by colossal eagle-headed figures in pairs, facing one another, and separated by the symbolical tree.

No. 4. Colossal figure of the king attended by eagle-headed figures, and wearing figures of the sun, moon, star, horned cap, and bident round his neck.

G.

Entrance a. 1 and 2, Colossal figures without wings, wearing garlands round their heads, right hand raised, and in the left a flower with three blossoms. 3 and 4, unsculptured, with the usual inscription. All the figures in this chamber are colossal, and remarkable for the careful finish of the sculpture and elaborate nature of the ornaments.

No. 1. Corner-stone, with sacred tree.

2, 3, 4. One subject — king seated on his throne, attended by three eunuchs and two winged figures.

18, 19. Winged figures: facing entrance d.

21, 22, 27. Eagle-headed figures: facing entrances c and b.

26. Unsculptured, with usual inscription.

All the other slabs in the east wall have, alternately, the king holding a cup in one hand and a bow in the other, attended by two eunuchs; and the king holding two arrows in one hand and a bow in the other, attended by two winged figures, carrying the fir-cone and basket. On the west wall, the groups are similar; but the. king's hand is on the hilt of his sword, instead of holding the bow.

In front of Nos. 20. and 29. are square slabs of alabaster, with a hole in the centre.

Entrance b. 1 and 2, Human-headed winged lions: facing chamber Y.

Entrance c. 1 and 2, Colossal winged figures, holding fir-cone and basket: facing hall Y. 3 and 4, unsculptured, with usual inscription.

Entrance d. 1 and 2, Colossal eagle-headed winged figures: facing chamber N.

Entrance e. 1 and 2, Colossal winged human figures, bearing fir-cone and square utensil: facing chamber G. 3 and 4, unsculptured, with usual inscription.

H.

No. 1. Winged human figure, with fillet round the head, bearing fir-cone and basket: facing entrance e.

All the other slabs in this chamber have the king holding a cup in one hand, and a bow in the other, standing between two winged figures, with garlands round their heads similar to No. 1. There are three recesses in the western wall, in slabs 3, 30, and 32.

I.

All the slabs in this chamber, except No. 16., arc similar. They are divided into two compartments by the usual inscription. The upper is occupied by two kneeling winged figures, in the horned cap, bearing the fir-cone and square utensil, or extending their hands, and separated by the sacred tree; the lower by two eagle-headed human figures, also standing before the sacred tree. The lower compartment of No. 16. contains two female winged figures, bearing garlands and wearing the horned caps, separated by the sacred tree. In the upper part of Nos. 17 and 18. a recess like a window. Before these slabs and No. 13. are square slabs with a hole in the centre.

Entrance a. Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription.

Entrance b. Colossal winged figures, facing chamber G, and bearing square vessel and fir-cone.

J.

Slabs unsculptured, with the usual inscription; pavement of alabaster slabs bearing the-standard inscription.

K.

Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription. Entrance c. Two unsculptured slabs, and two with winged figures bearing square vessel and fir-cone, facing chamber H.

L.

Each slab in this chamber, except 18, 20, and 27, is occupied by a colossal winged figure, wearing the usual horned cap, and carrying the basket and fir-cone, separated from the next figure by the sacred tree.

Nos. 18. and 27. have recesses in the upper part: the lower is occupied by small winged figures, separated by the sacred tree.

20. A colossal female figure, with four wings, having one hand raised, and holding a garland or chaplet in the other, similar to the small figures, No. 16. chamber I. In front of this bas-relief was a square alabaster slab with a hole in the centre, communicating with a drain.

M.

Precisely similar to chamber J.

N.

All the slabs in this chamber, except Nos. 6. 9. and 10., have the usual colossal winged figures with the horned cap, separated by the sacred tree.

No. 6. King, holding two arrows in one hand, and a bow in the other.

9 and 10. Unsculptured, with usual inscription.

O.

Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription.

P.

No. 1. Unsculptured, with usual inscription.

2, 3, 4. Colossal winged figures, with horned cap.

The other slabs were unsculptured. They end abruptly at 4 and 5. The chamber is continued by a wall built of sun-dried bricks.

Entrance a. Two large slabs, each with two colossal winged figures, back to back, and facing respectively chambers S and Y.

R.

Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription. Pavement of alabaster slabs. A recess in No. 10.

S.

No. 1. Corner-stone with sacred tree.

2, 3, and 4. One subject. King with one hand on the hilt of his sword, and the other supported by a long staff; attended by two eunuchs bearing his arms. Behind each eunuch a sacred tree.

5 and 6. Colossal winged figures, wearing garlands round their heads: facing entrance b.

11 and 12. Eagle-headed figures: facing entrance c.

28. A narrow slab divided by the usual inscription into two compartments, each containing a small winged figure, with horned cap, carrying basket and fir-cone.

The remaining slabs are occupied by the usual winged figures with the horned cap, separated by the sacred tree.

Entrances b, c, and d, formed by colossal winged figures with the usual horned cap, bearing sacred flowers.

e. Winged bulls: facing chamber Y.

T.

All the slabs have the usual colossal winged figures with the horned cap, alternating with the sacred tree; a square alabaster slab with a hole in the centre, before No. 4.

Entrance a. Colossal winged figures with garlands round their temples, carrying on one arm a wild goat or a gazelle, and in the elevated right hand, an ear of corn: facing chamber Z.

U.

Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription.

Entrance a. Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription; above which were cut additional inscriptions, containing the name of the Khorsabad king.

V.

Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription. A square slab before No. 6. with a hole in the centre connected with a drain.

W.

Unsculptured slabs. A recess in the slab forming the north corner. In the entrance leading into V, and in the two chambers, were discovered the greater part of the ivory ornaments.

X.

Unsculptured slabs, with usual inscription.

Y.

One side of this chamber has completely disappeared; that which remains is formed by unsculptured slabs with the usual inscription.

Entrance f. Winged bulls, facing chamber Y, and corresponding with those on the opposite side at entrance e.

Z.

A narrow passage, connecting hall Y with a chamber which has been completely destroyed,

Nos. 1, 2. 6, 7. are narrow slabs, divided by the usual inscription into two compartments, each occupied by a small winged figure. On the remaining slabs are colossal winged figures, with the horned cap.

A A.

Unsculptured slabs, with the usual inscription.

BB.

Unsculptured slabs, the greater part destroyed. Entrance a is formed by two small winged lions.

1) I have added this explanation to enable the reader to understand the plans without having to search for the references in the narrative.