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Cultic stele

UnknownIron Age II, 9th century BCE - Iron Age II, 8th century BCE

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel

This carved stone slab was discovered in the capital of the Aramean kingdom of Geshur, near the city gate. The bull-headed figure wearing a sword probably symbolized either the chief god Hadad, who was the storm god responsible for rainfall, or the moon god, who was responsible for the swelling of the rivers. Alternatively, it may have represented a fusion of the two.

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  • Title: Cultic stele
  • Creator: Unknown
  • Date Created: Iron Age II, 9th century BCE - Iron Age II, 8th century BCE
  • Location: Bethsaida
  • Type: Stele
  • Rights: Israel Antiquities Authority, Photo © Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Ilan Sztulman
  • External Link: Israel Museum, Jerusalem
  • Medium: Basalt
  • Dimensions: H: 115; W: 59; Th: 31 cm
  • Curator: Dayagi-Mendels, Michal
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

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