Representations from the Mound of Kültepe

Abstract

The 16 anthropomorphic figures, so-called idols, were found at the mound of Kültepe (Kaniş) in the seasons of 1959 (Pis. I, II and III, 16) and 1970 (Pl. III, 15) and before the systematic excavations started (Pl. III, 14). Except those 3 (Pl. III) which are unstratified finds, all are funerary gifts of one of the two angular cist graves unearthed in squares of P/37 and P/37-38 2. All of the figures but one which is of white marble are made of white alabaster and ground. The sizes vary from 3 cm. to 16.5 cm. Some of the figures from the grave show weathering (Pl. I Fig. 2) or damage for the body (Pl. I, Pl. II, 7 and Pl. II, ii) and some others have the head and neck missing (Pl. I Figs. 4-5, Pl. II, 8, 12-13), thus suggesting that they had been in use before being placed into the grave.