Mesopotamian Clay Humbaba Demon Mask, Sippar, c. 1800-1600 BC
This type of mask was used for divination. The mask is formed of coiled intestines represented by one continuous line. Such an omen would mean ‘revolution’. A cuneiform inscription on the back of this clay mask suggests that the intestines might be found in the shape of Humbaba’s face in this mask. Humbaba (also called Huwawa in some texts) was a monster who appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh. He was guardian of the Cedar Forest (probably referring to the Lebanon in the late version of the tale) but was defeated by Gilgamesh and Enkidu.
One method for predicting the future in ancient Mesopotamia was the study of the shape and colour of the internal organs of a sacrificed animal. Experts compiled records of these signs or omens together with the events they were believed to predict. The divination expert who made the mask is named in the inscription as Warad-Marduk. It was found at Sippar, the cult center for the sun-god Shamash, who was responsible for omens.
Sippar was an ancient city on the east bank of the Euphrates river, located at the site of modern Tell Abu Habbah, Iraq.