MET: Beyond Babylon

This exhibition was like walking into a time machine. It was an amazing display of various pieces as varied as any collection could be. The pieces ranged from golden daggers to vessels found from the ancient wreckage of a sunken ship. It is not often that you get to be surrounded by pieces that are from the 18th Century B.C. Each and every piece was so unique and unlike anything that I had ever seen. The pieces came from the ancient Assyrians, Mesopotamians and other cultures that no longer exists, except through their relics.
One piece that stood out to me, in particular was a golden dagger. This weapon was made of solid gold and bronze. It was inlay with intricate details depicting animals and semiprecious stones for good measure. It was beautiful and the craftsmanship was really remarkable. It is unlikely that it was actually used as a weapon and probably served a more ceremonial or decorative purpose.
Another interesting piece that was really quite interesting and unique was a pair of golden sandals and golden toe and finger covers. They were like little thimbles for each and every toe and finger made from exquisite gold. This set was so unusual, almost all of the pieces were in almost mint condition, there was but one finger missing. It was interesting that the thought of making a set like this. One can only wonder when one would wear such accessories. The gold sandals were made of such thin pieces of gold; it is miraculous that they have survived so long.
This rare look into an ancient civilization was really fascinating and astounding. I really loved this exhibit for its uniqueness and its aesthetic value. I was really surprised by how many pieces there were and how well preserved they were. These truly are treasures making this exhibit a must see for any who are interested in the ancient world.