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
Having now considered in general terms the method and the new
chronological basis of our inquiry, we come first to an account of those
isolated monuments which illustrate to us the diversity of Hittite art
and the wide range of its influence. The most striking of these are
perhaps those carved on the living rock, which may take the form of
single figures, some gigantic, others less than life-size, or groups
representing deities and their ministers, accompanied in each case by
Hittite hieroglyphs, or long inscriptions without any sculptures to
give a suggestion of their meaning.[136] Of the moveable monuments
only one is found clearly _in situ_,[137] and this from its position
and nature may be thought, like some of the rock-inscriptions, to have
been a boundary stone. There are others, however, of such weight[138]
or peculiar character[139] that they may be judged to have been set up
not far from the sites where they have been found. The _provenance_ of
monuments found on or in the vicinity of ancient sites is also reliable
as evidence.[140] Sculptures are rarely executed in the round, except for
architectural purposes,[141] though in one or two instances there have
been found fragments of statues.[142] Reliefs however, are plentiful,
mostly representing mythological creatures or persons; while a distinct
class, which represents a ceremonial feast or communion, seems to include
some specimens of funerary character.[143] Among inscribed monuments the
most interesting are those stelæ which show a human figure, accompanied,
it would seem, by a formal biography of good works.[144]
[Illustration: PLATE XXXIII
NIGDEH: TOMB OF SELJÛK PERIOD
Traditionally the tomb of Havanda, wife of Ala-ed-din, but dated 1344
A.D. Note the design, tracery, and stalactite ornamentation. (_See p.
73._)]
Unfortunately a considerable proportion of the inscribed blocks of stone
that have been found are imperfect, so that little can be hoped from the
inscriptions themselves. There are also a few small objects so portable,
and reported from regions so exceptional, that they cannot be used as
topographical evidence. Lastly, there are naturally a number of monuments
simulating Hittite work which we hesitate to include without further
evidence. It will be useful at this stage to give a classified list of
the places where the chief Hittite monuments have been found.[145] Towns
and palaces are included though not discussed in this chapter; further,
classifications which are based on inference, or doubtful in any way,
are denoted by square brackets, while an asterisk signifies that the
Hittite origin of the monument to which it refers is problematical and
unconfirmed. Other special features are pointed out in the footnotes.
WALLED TOWNS.—Boghaz-Keui, Eyuk, Sakje-Geuzi, Sinjerli. [Ilgîn
(Kolitoghlu Yaila), Jerablus (Carchemish), Marash.]
PALACES.—Boghaz-Keui, Eyuk, Sakje-Geuzi, Sinjerli.[146] [Malatia,
Marash.[147]]
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