The land of the Hittites : $b An account of recent explorations and discoveries in Asia Minor, with descriptions of the Hittite monumentsGarstang, John
History
The land of the Hittites : $b An account of recent explorations and discoveries in Asia Minor, with descriptions of the Hittite monuments
Garstang, John
Hittites; Turkey -- Antiquities
We then come to two monstrous mythological creatures, carved upon a
single stone, the one above the other, to be imagined therefore as side
by side. The lower one has the body of a lion on which the shoulder
muscles are suggested, while the face is that of a human being, and
the curling pigtail is clear behind the neck. The head-dress is a
modification of the conical hat, with a sort of knob upon the top, and
the brim is upturned in front and behind. One wing only is shown, being
that upon the further side. The tail is upright, and ends in the head of
a bird.[643] The upper monster is the same in all respects except the
head, which is purely a product of the artist’s imagination, though from
the hooked bill it may be supposed to be intended for that of a bird.
Both creatures are walking with the left forefoot advanced and in the
air. Curiously, it is the right hind leg of the lower animal that is
advanced, while the corresponding leg of the upper animal is behind. This
monument is perhaps the crudest of the series.
Upon the sixth block of stone there appear two male figures facing
one another: each is clad in a long robe, the hem of which is visible;
each advances the further leg towards that of the other; each grasps
in his nearer hand a short staff, and with his further hand approaches
a cup-like object to his lips. They are distinguished only in that the
right-hand figure has a tassel[644] descending from his girdle. They seem
to wear skull-caps, and the curling pigtail is seen on the left-hand
figure, while the corresponding portion of the stone on the other side is
broken away. The next sculpture is somewhat broader, and shows a hunting
scene in which a bowman is seen in the act of discharging his arrow.
He is clad in a very short fringed tunic; the toes are upturned, and a
pigtail curls away from his neck. A knife hangs, point forward, from the
girdle on the further side, but the detail is obscure. Behind him, poised
in the air head downwards, is an animal resembling a hare, which he may
be supposed to have shot. His aim is probably directed, however, against
a stag seen in the sculpture which precedes. This again is a drawing so
crude as to be almost quaint. The animal stands with his head turned
back towards his pursuer. An arrow has pierced his neck, and the barbs
are visible beyond, while an ill-drawn dog is joining in the chase. In
front of this again two other animals, represented upon a single stone,
are obviously intended to suggest further quarry for the sport. The one
is a stag, drawn in this case in full profile (including his antlers);
while in the lower register there is seen a lion which, though it can be
identified, lacks in the drawing any character that invites comment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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