Assyrian human bearded winged lion.


Assyrian human bearded winged lion from Ashurbanipal's palace at Nimrud, BC. This protective spirit guarded the entrance into what may have been a banquet hall. If one looks at one of these monsters from the side, one sees that it has four legs, striding purposefully forward. If one moves head-on from the front, it has two front legs at rest. Both views in isolation look logical, however when viewed at a three-quarter viewpoint with all legs visible, the animal has not four but five legs. British Museum


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Photo credit: © DAVID PARKER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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