The sculptures found on the site of his palace belonged to a later monarch, who restored and embellished it.

His own bas-reliefs were torn from their places by Esarhaddon, and by him defaced and used as materials in the construction of a new palace.

We are thus left almost without materials for judging of the progress made by art during Shalmaneser's reign.

Architecture, it may be conjectured, was modified to a certain extent, precious woods being employed more frequently and more largely than before; a fact of which we seem to have an indication in the frequent expeditions made by Shalmaneser into Syria, for the single purpose of cutting timber in its forests.

Sculpture, to judge from the obelisk, made no advance.