Attending the exhibition on a late Sunday morning of a long weekend was probably not the most prudent of choices, but the lengthy queue moved quickly and with a dash of patience we were admitted soon enough. The exhibition is divided into three sections, rather over-simplistically titled Sumer, Assyria and Babylon. But given the overwhelming complexity of changing political boundaries in ancient Mesopotamia, such simplification is only logical and perhaps even necessary. Cuneiform tablets and cylinder seals are displayed throughout all three sections (you may become a little sick of the sight of them by the end), with many of the seals so tiny and intricate that several people were overheard commenting on how "cute" they are (myself included!). Early in the Sumerian section we are presented with an example of a bevelled-rim bowl, an item dating from the late Uruk period which is popularly interpreted as holding rations for temple or palace workers. If this theory is correct, the sheer number of these bowls that have been discovered would indicate large-scale centralised labor organisation at this time (3450-3100 BCE). The Sumer section also features a collection of artifacts from Sir Leonard Woolley's excavations of the so-called Royal Tombs at Ur. The collection includes a variety of cups, jars and weapons as well as some exquisite jewellery of carnelian, lapis lazuli and gold. The Assyrian section is dominated by a series of impressive wall reliefs, mostly dating from the rules of Assurnasirpal (883-859 BCE) and Assurbanipal (669-627 BCE). The reliefs depict lion-hunting and battle scenes and are ingeniously brought to life with clever animations designed to entertain all ages. We are also presented with a selection of cuneiform tablets from Assurbinapal's library, including texts relating to astronomy, divination, physiognomy, and even an excerpt from the renowned Epic of Gilgamesh. A cast of the law code of Hammurabi, a reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate, and a relief of the gardens at Nineveh (likely to have been the inspiration behind tales of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon) are some of the most memorable items from the Babylonian section. Care is also taken to emphasize the legacies of ancient Babylon that live on in society today, including the division of time into units of sixty and the horoscope. The exhibition concludes with an insight into the devastating effects on Iraqi museums and archaeological sites that modern day conflict is causing. The entire exhibition covers a timespan of approximately 3000 years, from the rise of the Sumerian city states to the fall of Babylon to the Persians. Given this vast expanse of history, the exhibition has effectively selected pieces that tell some of the most prominent and vital stories throughout the period. Highly recommended to anyone who shares a fascination with the wonders of ancient Mesopotamia.