Article

Approche archéologique du lion pour la Syrie du IVe au IIe millénaire

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Abstract

This article shows the importance of data from zoology and archaeozoology for the identification of animals depicted on objects or described in texts stemming from Syria between the fourth and second millennium BCE. In particular the lion is focussed. After defining the distinguishing physical characteristics of these animals and contrasting them with those of similar ones, the author cites a number of examples in which identifications had been made, often without (explicit) arguments and sometimes mistakenly. Finally, a functional classification is made of the objects on which lions are depicted or which are lion shaped. This allows to conclude that lions can be situated mainly in a religious context in Syria in opposition with Mesopotamia where the context rather is royal.

How to Cite:

Gransard-Desmond, J., (2010) “Approche archéologique du lion pour la Syrie du IVe au IIe millénaire”, Akkadica 131(2), 145–163. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/akkadica.99603

Rights: © The author