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Palestinian Temples

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2014

M. V. Seton Williams
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Extract

Now that Palestinian archaeology is subjected to a period of enforced inaction it would appear to be an appropriate moment to publish a short résumé of what is known of Palestinian temple plans.

The development of Palestinian shrines seems to follow a certain consistent plano The earliest recorded shrine appears to be that of Jericho, Stratum XL It consisted of a single inner chamber entered through a narrow ante-room from a columned portico (Fig. 1). Only the post-holes remained, so the posts were probably of wood; in the centre of the inner chamber were two similar holes probably to hold posts to support the roof. The building had plastered walls and mud floors; the floors were laid upon a bed of limestone chippings several centimetres deep, and both the walls and floors were finished with a smooth lime surface coloured brown or red and burnished by rubbing with a smooth stone. Within the entrance and extending beyond the precincts were found numerous plastic clay and mud figurines representing chiefly domestic animals, among which can be recognised cows, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs (?). Other models suggest a cobta's head, the male organs, small cones and a model pillow. In the forecourt were a number of trap-like openings which resemble sheep-pens. This shrine had been rebuilt more than once—Garstang has suggested as many as five times; which shows that once an area was sacred it tended to be regarded as such by future generations.

Type
Research Article
Information
IRAQ , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , Spring 1949 , pp. 77 - 89
Copyright
Copyright © The British Institute for the Study of Iraq 1949

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References

page 77 note 1 A.A.A., Vol XIII, Pl. XI and p. 1; Garstang, John and Garstang, J. B. E., The Story of Jericho, 1940, Fig. 5Google Scholar.

page 78 note 1 This has been noted frequently at other Near Eastern sites; at Megiddo in Palestine, Tepe Gawra and Khafajah in Mesopotamia; Tall Brak in Syria.

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page 78 note 3 Although this was found in Room 261, Level IX, it was embedded in the floor and “extended through the occupation level into the layer below.”

page 79 note 1 Loud, Gordon, Megiddo II, 1948, p. 61Google Scholar, Figs. 135-143.

page 79 note 2 Antiq. J. VI, Pl. XLIV. Gi-Pat-Ku building at Ur; this set of plans becomes common in Babylon at the close of the Hird Ur Dyn. between 2000 and 1700 B.C.

page 80 note 1 A.A.A., Vol. XXIII, Pl. XLI, p. 73Google Scholar; The Story of Jericho, Fig. 8.

page 80 note 2 Syria, No. XVI, 525-352, Fig. 8.

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page 83 note 2 Since writing the above Megiddo II has been published showing shrines in Middle Bronze I, Stratum XV, 1950-1850 B.C., Figs. 180-181. These consisted of a megaron type of building, with a large altar room and the addition of a side room. The entrance was on the short side, and there was a columned porch across the front. The walls were lime plastered. There was also a later building in Stratum XIV, 1850-1800 B.C., on the same site, but much smaller (Fig. 190).

page 83 note 3 O.I.C., No. 17, pp. 40-41 (Fig. 56).

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