01-31-2006, 11:03 PM
Quote: Yes, that was my first thought too, cf. the picture below. However, I think the man on the first picture appears to have something in his mouth. Nevertheless, it is indeed possible that he is not a diver but an inexperienced swimmer. Do you known any publications on this guy?
No, don't know of publications. There are a couple general ones about water transport in Mesopotamia by Salonen (Studia Orientalia 8 & 11), but I admittedly have not had the chance to go through them to see what is there.
I vaguely recall reading somewhere the suggestion, which I suspect is quite correct, that he holds in his mouth a tube that allows him to keep the goat skin inflated. When opportunity permits, I'll look over the representations (I have been making a database of them as I go over reliefs for armor details) and see what else I can find. It's possible that in some, they are carrying things with their teeth. One from the Southwest Palace of Sennacherib has the soldiers carrying their shields or baskets of equipment on their backs. In any case, if he were actually diving, he would certainly not be wearing a helmet.
Interesting stuff!
Best,
Jamie
LU2.DUB.SAR
