[2] The foundation which hid the sculpture was a platform made from brick and mud which had originally supported a temple to the goddess Ninhursag.

Ninhursag was a goddess of the pastures, so it is appropriate that cows should be found around her temple; it was said that her milk sustained the kings.

[3] The legs were shaped out of wood covered in copper plate and held in place using tacks.

The sculpture as exhibited in the British Museum includes a horn, part of the tail and hooves which have been recreated to make the bull complete.

[4] Ur was one of the first sites excavated under Iraq's antiquity law, drawn up by Gertrude Bell.