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The region surrounding the ancient city of Umma is of great historical significance. It has been the arena of the first documented water conflict between the city-state Umma and its neighbor Lagash in the 3rd millennium BC. Later, Umma became a well-known province of the kingdom of the 3rd Dynasty of Ur (aka Ur III Period), which unified Mesopotamia at the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. The Ur III Period is known for its exceptionally rich historical record – in particular on the workings of an early state economy. Hence, the available historical record of the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC provides us with a detailed insight into the regions’ history. However, this insight remains one-sided, as the Umma region has never been adequately investigated archaeologically until recently. The lack of archaeological data has not only hampered our interpretation of the available ancient texts but also prevented us from gaining a nuanced understanding of the regions historical and environmental development. The mission of The Umma Survey Project aims to address this shortcoming by conducting an intensive archaeological reconnaissance over the course of five years.

What can we know about ancient dance? Why did European avant-garde artists look to the past at the beginning of the twentieth century? This talks presents an overview of the current ISAW exhibition Hymn to Apollo: The Ancient World and the Ballets Russes (on view March 6–June 2, 2019).