The Arslan Tash reliefs are bas-reliefs of human figures and animals which adorned the city gates and temple portals of ancient Hadatu; the modern archeological site of Arslan Tash, literally "the Stone Lion".[1] (Turkish; Arslan - Lion, Taş - Stone)
The bas-reliefs may have been carved by different artists in different periods, but an inscription carved across the body of one bull dates the inscription to the reign of Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC) however artistic considerations suggest the conclusion that the reliefs were originally carved sometime between the reigns of Shalmaneser III (858-824 BC) and Sargon II (721-705 BC).[2]
In February 2015, in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) publicly ordered the bulldozing of a colossal ancient Assyrian gateway lion sculpture from the 8th century BC.[3] Another lion statue was also destroyed. Both statues originated from the Arslan Tash archaeological site.[4] The destruction was published in the ISIL magazine, Dabiq.
Basalt wall slabs from the palace of Tiglath-pileser III at Arslan Tash, Syria. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
Assyrian chariot, charioteer, and a horse rider. Basalt wall reliefs from the palace of Tiglath-pileser III at Arslan Tash, Syria. 744-727 BCE. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
Assyrian warriors. A procession of mace bearers. Basalt wall reliefs from the palace of Tiglath-pileser III at Arslan Tash, Syria. 744-727 BCE. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
Basalt wall slab showing Assyrian soldiers in procession, holding long spears. From the palace of Tiglath-pileser III at Arslan Tash, Syria. Ancient Orient Museum, Istanbul
See also
References
- ↑ Albenda, Pauline The Gateway and Portal Stone Reliefs from Arslan Tash 1988
- ↑ Albenda, p.5
- ↑ "Threats to Cultural Heritage in Iraq and Syria". US Department of State. September 23, 2014. Retrieved 27 Feb 2015.
- ↑ "Lion statues destroyed". UNESCO. Retrieved 27 Feb 2015.