World Culture Galleries
Wirth Gallery of the Middle East
Level 3, Michael Lee-Chin Crystal
The Wirth Gallery of the Middle East explores the civilizations that started in the Fertile Crescent and beyond, including the current day regions of Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. More than 1,000 artifacts examine the region’s contributions to both eastern and western civilizations through culture and technology from the Palaeolithic Age to AD 1900.
The Ancient Spirituality & Religion section explores the beginnings of humankind’s expression of faith through ancient practices. A collection of rotund clay female figurines (4th millennium BC), stone plaques of winged spirits and demons (1st millennium BC) and bronze worshipper statuettes belonging to ancient Sumerians, illustrate the spiritual iconography of early polytheistic cultures bronze worshipper statuettes belonging to ancient Sumerians. The display of Jewish ossuaries and Christian and Islamic religious objects demonstrate the arrival of the three great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In the ancient Middle East, Phoenicia, around 1700 BC, was the birthplace of the first true written alphabet. The Documents and Writing section conveys a history of script development, beginning with Babylonian cuneiform tablets (21st – 16th century BC) through to samples of religious manuscripts in Arabic (circa 18th – 19th century AD). The Technology section emphasizes the evolution from crude stone implements of early humans to the mastery of craftsmen working in wood, stone, metal, and glass. Among the oldest objects on display is a bifacial chopper tool of Abu Oda, Egypt, approximately 2.6 to 1.4 million years ago.
Through history, craftspeople have transformed utilitarian objects into things of beauty. Art in Life showcases a stunning collection of pottery, jewellery and domestic objects which highlight the use of human figures, narrative scenes, embellishment and geometric shapes in illustration and sculpture. Arms & Armour highlights important developments in warfare. The invention of the bow and arrow and the adoption of horses for riding are two of the most significant things influencing conflict. An impressive display of armour and weaponry demonstrates the military strength of the Ottoman Turkey, Safavid Persia, and Mughal India, three great empires of the past.
The Wirth Gallery of the Middle East isnamed in honour of Mr. Alfred Wirth in appreciation of his generous support of Renaissance ROM and the Royal Ontario Museum.
Podcasts
Iconic - Striding Lion
January 15, 2010
A city known for many of the great wonders of the world, the striding lion of Babylon once adorned the citadel of the Nebuchadnazzar castle. Found in the throne room, the decorated relief on clay bricks is extremely rare and is one of the ROM’s iconic, must see treasures.
Video Podcast (16MB, 2mins)
Written Transcript (PDF)
