Double-Faced Female Figure of Astarte[?]

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
by
published on 18 February 2019
Double-Faced Female Figure of Astarte[?]

This limestone head probably represents the goddess Astarte. Some of the ivory inlays still remain within the eye sockets while holes on the collar were probably for inlay decorations. Four such heads were discovered together in 1968 CE and a fifth one was found in 2011 CE. They have holes on the top and bottom and were probably set as a balustrade in the window of an Ammonite temple, to give a chance to devotees praying outside to see one face, while priests in the holy interior could see the other face. Iron Age II mid-8th century BCE. From Amman Citadel, Jordan. (The Jordan Museum, Amman, Jordan).

About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

Remove Ads

Advertisement

Related Images

Astarte
Image

Astarte

Astarte by John Singer Sargent, 1890-95 CE, Metropolitan Museum...
Goddess Astarte Plaque
Image

Goddess Astarte Plaque

Terracotta plaque depicting the Canaanite goddess Astarte. The...
Goddess Astarte Votive Plaque
Image

Goddess Astarte Votive Plaque

This is baked clay votive plaque of a nude woman in low relief...
Plaque of Astarte from Alalakh
Image

Plaque of Astarte from Alalakh

This was probably a votive offering and may depict a nude votaress...
Votive Altar for Astarte
Image

Votive Altar for Astarte

This is a limestone votive altar dedicated to the mother goddess...

Cite This Work

APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2019, February 18). Double-Faced Female Figure of Astarte[?]. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/image/10079/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama S. M. "Double-Faced Female Figure of Astarte[?]." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 18, 2019. https://www.ancient.eu/image/10079/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama S. M. "Double-Faced Female Figure of Astarte[?]." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 18 Feb 2019. Web. 27 May 2019.

Remove Ads

Advertisement