Abstract
Up to now, not one object from Megiddo that could be associated with the site's renowned stables or with horses had been identified. A previously neglected small bronze bell unearthed by the Oriental Institute expedition to the site has now changed this strange state of affairs. Bronze bells are known from Salamis in Cyprus, Nimrud and other sites in Assyria, Urartu, and Hasanlu in northwestern Iran. These small bells should be associated with horse harnesses, as indicated by the contexts of the ca. 80 bells from Nimrud, ca. 40 bells from Hasanlu and two bells from Salamis. Their function is clearly demonstrated by Neo-Assyrian and Urartian iconography, in which horses are depicted with bells suspended from their necks.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Mortals, Deities and Divine Symbols |
| Subtitle of host publication | Rethinking Ancient Images from the Levant to Mesopotamia: Studies Offered to Tallay Ornan |
| Publisher | Archaeopress |
| Pages | 465-476 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781803272948 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781803272931 |
| State | Published - 29 May 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The individual authors and Archaeopress 2025. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Assurbanipal
- Bronze bell
- Hasanlu
- Horse harness
- Megiddo stables
- Nimrud
- Royal lion hunt
- Salamis
- Urartu