Statues of Gudea

Not to be confused with Gudea cylinders.
Diorite Statue I, Louvre
Statue O in Copenhagen
Statue P at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Limestone statue of Gudea. From Girsu, Iraq. 2144–2124 BC. Extensively reconstructed. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
Limestone head of Gudea, 2144-2124 BC. From southern Mesopotamia, Iraq. The Pergamon Museum

Approximately twenty-seven statues of Gudea have been found in southern Mesopotamia. Gudea was a ruler (ensi) of the state of Lagash between c. 2144 BC and 2124 BC, and the statues demonstrate a very sophisticated level of craftsmanship for that time. The known statues have been named by archaeologists as "A" to "Z" and "AA". Many statues are headless, and there are also detached heads. Gudea is named in the dedicatory inscription carved on most statues, but in some cases the identity of the ruler portrayed is uncertain.