![Euphrates_HSHR](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Euphrates_HSHR.jpg)
The Euphrates Handmade Syrian Horses and Riders (EU_HSHRs ) are zoomorphic clay
figurine
A figurine (a diminutive form of the word ''figure'') or statuette is a small, three-dimensional sculpture that represents a human, deity or animal, or, in practice, a pair or small group of them. Figurines have been made in many media, with clay ...
s representing horses and horses with riders. They date from the late
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity. It was preceded by the Stone Age ( Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age ( Chalcolithic). The concept has been mostl ...
period (mid 8th–7th centuries BCE)and were produced in the
Middle Euphrates region, alongside anthropomorphic figures known as
Euphrates Syrian Pillar Figurines
The Euphrates Syrian Pillar Figurines (EU_SPF's) are anthropomorphic clay figurines dating from the late Iron Age period (mid 8th-7th centuries BCE) and produced in the Middle Euphrates region. These figurines are part of a greater coroplastic p ...
(EU_SPFs).
Other names in literature
The term "Euphrates Handmade Syrian Horses and Riders" has been recently proposed by B. Bolognani. It emphasises their geographic origin, the manufacturing technique, and the portrayed subjects. However, various other terms are also used in scholarly literature:
* ''Horses and Horsemen'' or ''Horse, Horse-and-rider''
* ''Handgemachte Reiterfiguren des 1. Jahrtausends (HR), Typ I(?)'' ("Handmade rider-figurines of the 1st millennium BC (HR), Type I(?)")
* ''Horses and Horse Riders''
Technical characteristics
Modelling
The clay figurines are completely handmade and free standing. They were usually held with one hand while the other hand modelled the details. This is known as the “snowman” technique, which allows figurines to be worked in a three-dimensional space. The object is shaped all-around, with the under part of the figurine’s body used as a base of support. Unlike figurines made with moulds, these figurines could be viewed from all sides, although the side is the preferred view.
Decorations and colours
Decorations made of strips and blobs of clay are directly applied to the figurine’s body. These decorations are used to stress anatomical features and fabric patterns of the riders' clothing and the horses' harnesses. The colour of the clay is quite uniform, suggesting that the figurines were all well-fired. Minor variations could be related to the atmosphere in the kilns. This evidence may also suggest the common use of kilns as in contemporary
Neo-Assyrian
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was the fourth and penultimate stage of ancient Assyrian history and the final and greatest phase of Assyria as an independent state. Beginning with the accession of Adad-nirari II in 911 BC, the Neo-Assyrian Empire grew t ...
pottery. The connection with the Neo-Assyrian pottery is further indicated by the surface treatments, usually a pale brown slip and, in a few figurines, a cast of blue-green glaze. In the local ceramic assemblage, this surface treatment usually appears in imported pottery from Assyria and in some polychrome bricks.
No traces of paint have been observed on any of the figurines.
Geographical spread
EU_HSHR figurines are attested only west of the
Euphrates
The Euphrates () is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia ( ''the land between the rivers''). Originating in Turkey, the Eup ...
and, in particular, the Euphrates valley seems to be the main centre of production. From this area several specimens have been collected at
Carchemish
Carchemish ( Turkish: ''Karkamış''; or ), also spelled Karkemish ( hit, ; Hieroglyphic Luwian: , /; Akkadian: ; Egyptian: ; Hebrew: ) was an important ancient capital in the northern part of the region of Syria. At times during it ...
,
Tell Ahmar
Til Barsip or Til Barsib ( Hittite Masuwari, modern Tell Ahmar; ar, تل أحمر) is an ancient site situated in Aleppo Governorate, Syria by the Euphrates river about 20 kilometers south of ancient Carchemish.
History
The site was inhabited ...
,
Tell Amarna, Deve Höyük, Tell Shiukh Fawqani, Saraga Höyük, and Zeytinli Bahçe Höyük. The figurines are linked only to sites with a strong
Neo-Assyrian
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was the fourth and penultimate stage of ancient Assyrian history and the final and greatest phase of Assyria as an independent state. Beginning with the accession of Adad-nirari II in 911 BC, the Neo-Assyrian Empire grew t ...
presence as a result of prolonged control. The figurines do not appear at other nearby sites where the Neo-Assyrian invasion caused socio-economic impoverishment, such as
Tell Sheikh Hassan, Tell Qara Quzaq, Tell Qara Quyu Tahtani, and
Tell Khamis. Outside the Euphrates’ catchment area, there are sporadic finds to the west at sites like
Zincirli Höyük,
Tell Judaidah
Tell Judaidah (Tell al-Judaidah, Tell Judeideh) is an archaeological site in south-eastern Turkey, in the Hatay province. It is one of the largest excavated ancient sites in the Amuq valley, in the plain of Antioch. Settlement at this site range ...
, Chatal Höyük,
Tell Tayinat
Tell Ta'yinat is a low-lying ancient tell on the east bank at the bend of the Orontes River where it flows through the Amuq valley, in the Hatay province of southeastern Turkey about 25 kilometers south east of Antakya (ancient Antioch), and lie ...
, Tell Abu Danne, and likely in
Tell Rifaat
Tell Rifaat ( ar, تل رفعت, Tall Rifʿat, also spelled Tel Rifaat, Tel Rif'at or Tal Rifaat) ( Kurdish: Arfêd/ ئارفێد) is a city in northern Aleppo Governorate, northwestern Syria. Located roughly north of Aleppo, the town is the admi ...
and
Neirab
Al-Nayrab ( ar, النيرب) is a town in Syria, to the south-east of the city of Aleppo in northern Syria. With the urban development, the village was gradually absorbed by the city of Aleppo thus becoming part of it as a district.
Al-Nayrab i ...
.
Chronology
According to contextual data, these figurines are attested in some Middle Euphrates sites during the mature Iron Age. In archaeological contexts, such artefacts usually come from upper layers dating from the Neo-Assyrian period (7th century BCE), but the beginning of production falls at the end of
Neo-Syrian period (mid/late 8th century BCE). At the site of Carchemish, for example, the majority of finds belong to Iron Age III layers, but a minority came from Iron Age II layers.
[Bolognani, B. 2020b, pp.44-45.]
Museums collections
See also
*
Euphrates Syrian Pillar Figurines
The Euphrates Syrian Pillar Figurines (EU_SPF's) are anthropomorphic clay figurines dating from the late Iron Age period (mid 8th-7th centuries BCE) and produced in the Middle Euphrates region. These figurines are part of a greater coroplastic p ...
References
{{reflist, 30em
Bibliography
* Bolognani, B. 2017, ''The Iron Age Figurines from Karkemish (2011–2015 Campaigns) and the Coroplastic Art of the Syro-Anatolian Region'', unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Bologna, Bologna
Bolognani 2017_thesis* Bolognani, B. 2020a, "The Iron Age Female Figurines from Karkemish and the Middle Euphrates Valley. Preliminary Notes on Some Syrian Pillar Figurines", in Donnat S., Hunziker-Rodewald R., Weygand I. (eds), ''Figurines féminines nues : Proche-Orient, Égypte, Nubie, Méditerranée, Asie centrale (VIIIe millénaire av. J.-C. - IVe siècle ap. J.-C.), Proceedings of the International Conference “Figurines féminines nues. Proche-Orient, Egypte, Nubie, Méditerranée, Asie centrale”, June 25th-26th 2015, MISHA, Strasbourg'', Études d’archéologie et d’histoire ancienne (EAHA), De Boccard, Paris, pp. 209–22
Bolognani 2020a* Bolognani, B. 2020b, "Figurines as Social Markers: The Neo-Assyrian Impact on the Northern Levant as Seen from the Material Culture", in Gavagnin K., Palermo R. (eds), ''Imperial Connections. Interactions and Expansions from Assyria to the Roman Period. Proceedings of the 5th “Broadening Horizons” Conference, 5–8 June 2017, Udine''(West & East Monografie 2), University of Udine, Udine, pp. 43–5
Bolognani 2020b
* Clayton, V. 2001. ''Visible Bodies, Resistant Slaves: Towards an Archaeology of the Other: The 7th Century Figurines from Tell Ahmar'', unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Melbourne, School of Fine Arts, Classical Studies and Archaeology, Melbourne.
* Clayton, V. 2013. ''Figurines, Slaves and Soldiers. The Iron Age Figurines from the Euphrates Valley, North Syria'', K&H Publishing, Victoria.
* Moorey P.R.S. 1980, ''Cemeteries of the First Millenium B.C. at Deve Huyuk, near Carchemish. Salvaged by T.E. Lawrence and C.L. Woolley in 1913 (with a catalogue raisonne of the objects in Berlin, Cambridge, Liverpool, London and Oxford)''(«BAR» 87), Bar Publishing, Oxford.
* Moorey P.R.S. 2005, ''Ancient Near Eastern Terracottas: With a Catalogue of the Collection in the Ashmolean Museum'', Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
* Ornan, T. 1986, ''A Man and His Land, Highlights from the Moshe Dayan Collection (Israel Museum Catalogue 270)'', The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
* Padovani, C. 2019, "36.Cavalier", in Blanchard, V. (ed.), ''Royaumes oubliés. De l'empire hittite aux Araméens'', Liénart, Musée du Louvre, Paris, p. 82.
* Pruss A. 2010, ''Die Amuq-Terrakotten. Untersuchungen zu den Terrakotta-Figuren des 2. und 1. Jahrtausends v.Chr. aus dem Grabungen des Oriental Institute Chicago in der Amuq-Ebene'',(Subartu 26), Brepols, Turnhout.
Iron Age art
Hittite art
Carchemish
Terracotta sculptures
Archaeology of Syria
Archaeology of Turkey
Ancient Near East art and architecture
Assyrian art and architecture