This Assyrian relief symbolises the tradition of crop research

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben has a replica of an Assyrian relief dating back to the reign of Aššur-nâṣir-apli II (883–859 BC). The relief depicts the artificial pollination of date palms, one of the oldest techniques to increase crop yields. The scene features a winged figure (Apkallu), representing targeted pollination. This motif combines real agricultural practice with fertility, governance, and divine authority concepts.

Symbolism of fertility and rule 

In the institute's ‘Black Hall’, there is a cast of an Assyrian relief. The original is from the Palace of Nimrud (Kalhu) in present-day Iraq, and is a testament to the art of the Neo-Assyrians. The scene depicts the artificial pollination of a date palm, a motif that appears several times in Assyrian iconography. It combines mythical and practical elements. 

The relief depicts a winged figure known as an Apkallu. The Apkallu, or Abgal in Sumerian, were guardian spirits or 'Seven Sages' sent by the gods to share wisdom, culture, and protection with humans.  The figure carries a basket of pollen in one hand and a cone-shaped object in the other, interpreted as the date palm's male inflorescence. Using this, the figure transfers the pollen to the flowers of a female palm tree. This technique of targeted manual pollination has been practised since ancient times. It is still used today in oasis regions, as date palms grown in open fields are not sufficiently pollinated by wind or insects. Thus, the relief documents a highly developed agricultural practice and a close connection between cult ritual, knowledge transfer and agricultural innovation.

The pollination scene has strong symbolic significance. In Mesopotamia, the date palm was considered a sacred tree representing fertility, prosperity, and renewal. Having the act performed by either a divine being or the king himself linked the depiction to the idea of legitimate rule based on ensuring fertility and order. The relief illustrates the close interconnection of agricultural knowledge, religious symbolism and political power in ancient times.

Infobox: 

Date palms are dioecious. This means that there are separate male and female plants. For fruit to form, pollen from the male plants must be transferred to the female plants. In nature, this is mainly done by the wind. However, pollination is artificially assisted in agriculture to ensure a stable yield. This involves cutting off the inflorescences of the male palms and transferring the pollen to the inflorescences of the female palms using brushes or special tools. Since female flowers are only receptive for a few days, pollination must also occur within this narrow time window.

Why at the IPK Gatersleben? 

The decision to locate the relief at the IPK Gatersleben was not just aesthetic. It reflects the institute’s self-image: since its foundation in 1943, the IPK has seen itself as an international centre for the conservation, research and further development of cultivated plants. Looking back at history, we can see the continuity of human efforts to improve plants in a targeted manner to secure yields. While the Assyrians used hand pollination to increase the yield of date palms, modern research employs genetic, genomic and biotechnological methods to develop cultivated plants for sustainable agriculture further.

This bridge between the past and the present is symbolised by the relief, which shows that modern science is built on the foundations of cultural techniques that are thousands of years old. At the same time, the IPK’s relief fulfils a representative and identity-forming function. It reveals the historical depth of plant research and establishes a connection between the origins of agriculture and contemporary plant research. It reminds visitors and researchers alike that working with cultivated plants is part of a long history of human creativity and adaptation. The relief is much more than just a decorative ornament. It symbolises the historical roots and global significance of cultivated plant research, which continues at the IPK Leibniz Institute. 

Suggestions for further reading:

Franklin, N. (2021): The Assyrian Stylized Tree: A Date Palm Plantation and Aššurnaṣirpal II’s Stemma.; Ash-sharq Volume 5 (2021): 77–96; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357768827_The_Assyrian_Stylized_Tree_A_Date_Palm_Plantation_and_Assurnasirpal_II's_Stemma#fullTextFileContent 

Giovino, M. (2007): The Assyrian Sacred Tree: A History of Interpretations. Fribourg, Switzerland / Göttingen, Germany: Academic Press / Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.; https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-141569

Porter, B. N. (1993): Sacred Trees, Date Palms, and the Royal Persona of Ashurnasirpal II., The University of Chicago; https://doi.org/10.1086/373613