Women in Neo-Assyrian Palaces: The case of the ekal mašarti in Nimrud/Kalḫu

Ø  Basic Facts on Nimrud:Left Bank of the Tigris, North of the Greater Zabcapital of the Neo-Assyrian empire since 878 B.C. under King Aššurnaṣirpal (883 - 859 B.C.)The city wall encloses an area of 380 haThe main architectural features are located on the northern and the south-eastern acropolis, including various palaces and temple buildingsØ  The ekal mašarti:Built under King Šalmaneser III. (858 - 824 B.C.)completed 844 B.C.on the south-eastern acropolismainly used for military purposes (Areas NW, NE, SW and SE)Representation rooms (Area T) and private quarters (Area S) in the southØ  Women in the ekal mašarti:Clear archaeological evidence for the presence of women in the palace; Finds: Amulets (Bes, Lamaštu, Pazuzu), skorpion, fibulaeImportant rooms in area S: throne room of the queen (S 5) and bureau (S 10) of the šakintu (female high-official)Reception rooms and working areas on the ground floorLiving quarters on the upper floorNot all women belonging to the household of the queen, also lived in the (same) palace