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Map showing location of Neve-Yam and other Wadi Rabah sites in Israel with incised bone figurines as well as other sites noted in the text.
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The motifs appearing on an incised bone artifact retrieved from the underwater site of Neve-Yam, dating to the sixth–fifth millennium BC and associated with the Pottery Neolithic/early Chalcolithic, Wadi Rabah culture, are subjected to systematic analysis using a methodology for research into symbolic subjects which tracks iconographic survival, fo...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... this paper we discuss several motifs incised on an animal bone, from the site of Neve-Yam, Israel (Figure 1), which appear to represent a female anthro- pomorph ( Galili et al. 2013;Galili, Horwitz, and Rosen, 2015;Galili et al. in press). ...
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... is a sixth-fifth millennia BC settlement, attributed to the Late Pottery Neolithic/early Chalcolithic,Wadi Rabah culture, located on the north- ern Mediterranean coast of Israel (Figure 1). The site was inundated due to the global post-glacial rise in sea level and is currently submerged at a depth of 0-5m below present sea level ( Galili et al. 2002Galili et al. , 2013Galili and Rosen 2011). ...
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... bone bears incised motifs, that suggest at first glance a nude female 'human' image (Figure 1). It has been incised on the cranial aspect of the shaft of a left femur of domestic cattle (Bos taurus). ...
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... image incised on the Neve-Yam bone closely resembles that of two other incised bones recovered from two different sites in Israel also dating to the Pottery Neolithic/early Chalcolithic (Wadi Rabah culture); one from Hagosherim ( Figure 3; Getzov 2011, fig. 10:43 a, b, fig. 12 a), and an incised fragment of a bone from Ein Zippori (Figure 4; Yaroshevich in ...
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... nose, mouth or other facial features are depicted although on the lower face and neck, an inverted triangle has been incised. Yizraeli-Noy (1999 , Fig 110) interprets this as a beard, while a similar feature is interpreted by Shalem (2008, fig. 44) as a decoration around the neck. ...
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... of Middle Bronze IIB (ca. 1650-1550 BC) portray images of branches, caprines and a naked woman with large pudenda, some stippled, enclosed in oval shapes surrounded by palm leaves (Keel and Uehlinger 1998, 27 ,Fig 12b). Here, the motif of palm tree is indicated schematically as lines emerging like rays out from single 'stem', or as band with enclosed diagonal stripes ( Keel and Uehlinger 1998, fig. ...
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... images of branches, caprines and a naked woman with large pudenda, some stippled, enclosed in oval shapes surrounded by palm leaves (Keel and Uehlinger 1998, 27 ,Fig 12b). Here, the motif of palm tree is indicated schematically as lines emerging like rays out from single 'stem', or as band with enclosed diagonal stripes ( Keel and Uehlinger 1998, fig. 13a). In one figure, a scarab portrays an iconic naked woman flanked by two fish (Keel 1998, 27, fig. 10). These relate to what Keel calls the 'naked goddess' motif, a goddess with genitalia clearly shown, is often seen flanked by two branches or little trees ( Keel and Uehlinger 1998, 26, 28). On one scarab ( Iberian 'eye ...
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... surrounded by palm leaves (Keel and Uehlinger 1998, 27 ,Fig 12b). Here, the motif of palm tree is indicated schematically as lines emerging like rays out from single 'stem', or as band with enclosed diagonal stripes ( Keel and Uehlinger 1998, fig. 13a). In one figure, a scarab portrays an iconic naked woman flanked by two fish (Keel 1998, 27, fig. 10). These relate to what Keel calls the 'naked goddess' motif, a goddess with genitalia clearly shown, is often seen flanked by two branches or little trees ( Keel and Uehlinger 1998, 26, 28). On one scarab ( Iberian 'eye ...
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... Höyücek, a concentration of ceramic 'idols' or 'mother goddess' figurines were discov- ered on the floors within the Sanctuary phase of a ritual area at the site and were identified as votive offerings ( Duru 1994Duru , 1995. They included several figurines made on the shafts of animal long bones, which bore incised schematic faces: oval eyes, a v-shaped mouth and in some instances a square nose ( Figure 10). ...
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... changing iconography of eyes found on anthropomorphic images regarded as gods in the Near East, was traced by Orrelle (2014), as they shifted from female-type to male-type eyes. Female eyes, which are depicted as a slit oval shape and which appear in the PPNB have been identified as vulvae (Figure 11; Orrelle 2014, 50;Gopher and Orrelle 1996, 257,figs 8.1-2). In an earlier examination of this same 'vulva eye' motif, Garfinkel (2010, 283-317) traced its long duration, from its first appearance in the PPNB as cowrie shells inserted into the eye sockets of a molded plaster skull in Jericho (Garstang, Droop and Crowfoot 1935) and followed its penetration into wider geographi- cal areas from eastern Iran to fourth-millennium BC Balkan contexts ( Garfinkel 2010, 317). ...
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... the late Pottery Neolithic Wadi Rabah culture, the vulva eyes gradually disappear from Southern Levantine figurines, and are replaced by large round eyes. As illustrated in Figure 11, simple round eyes are found for example on a Late PPNB figurine from El-Hemmeh Jordan (Makarewicz and Austin 2006), and also on plaster statues from Mid-Late PPNB 'Ain Ghazal in Jordan (Schmandt-Besserat 1998, fig 5); and in the Northern Levant on an undated male stone figurine from Urfa in Turkey (Schmidt 2006, fig 93). Radiating facial lines and round eyes are evident on a mask from PPNB Nahal Hemar (Figure 11; Bar-Yosef and Alon 1988), while drilled circular eyes appear in the Wadi Rabah 'trapezoids' from Nahal Zehora II (Gopher and Eyal 2012, fig. ...
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... the late Pottery Neolithic Wadi Rabah culture, the vulva eyes gradually disappear from Southern Levantine figurines, and are replaced by large round eyes. As illustrated in Figure 11, simple round eyes are found for example on a Late PPNB figurine from El-Hemmeh Jordan (Makarewicz and Austin 2006), and also on plaster statues from Mid-Late PPNB 'Ain Ghazal in Jordan (Schmandt-Besserat 1998, fig 5); and in the Northern Levant on an undated male stone figurine from Urfa in Turkey (Schmidt 2006, fig 93). Radiating facial lines and round eyes are evident on a mask from PPNB Nahal Hemar (Figure 11; Bar-Yosef and Alon 1988), while drilled circular eyes appear in the Wadi Rabah 'trapezoids' from Nahal Zehora II (Gopher and Eyal 2012, fig. ...
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... illustrated in Figure 11, simple round eyes are found for example on a Late PPNB figurine from El-Hemmeh Jordan (Makarewicz and Austin 2006), and also on plaster statues from Mid-Late PPNB 'Ain Ghazal in Jordan (Schmandt-Besserat 1998, fig 5); and in the Northern Levant on an undated male stone figurine from Urfa in Turkey (Schmidt 2006, fig 93). Radiating facial lines and round eyes are evident on a mask from PPNB Nahal Hemar (Figure 11; Bar-Yosef and Alon 1988), while drilled circular eyes appear in the Wadi Rabah 'trapezoids' from Nahal Zehora II (Gopher and Eyal 2012, fig. 29.19a 1, 3, plate 29, 19b). ...
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... 1998, fig 5); and in the Northern Levant on an undated male stone figurine from Urfa in Turkey (Schmidt 2006, fig 93). Radiating facial lines and round eyes are evident on a mask from PPNB Nahal Hemar (Figure 11; Bar-Yosef and Alon 1988), while drilled circular eyes appear in the Wadi Rabah 'trapezoids' from Nahal Zehora II (Gopher and Eyal 2012, fig. 29.19a 1, 3, plate 29, 19b). These 'eyes' are enclosed in a band of three to four horizontal lines incised on the upper fragment of a trapezoid ...
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... of this motif with a vulva. The same motif appears in the position of the eyes on the clay head fragment from PPNB Jericho (Yizraeli-Noy 1999, 33) and continues to appear in the Yarmukian period where vulvae are schemati- cally depicted simply as slits, such as on pebble figurines, e.g. from Sha'ar Hagolan (Yizraeli-Noy 1999, 97;Garfinkel 1992, fig. 121:6), or as inverted (downward pointing) triangles resembling pubic triangles. For example, a phallic-shaped stone artifact from Yarmukian period Sha'ar Hagolan ( Garfinkel 2004, 170-171), includes a large incised pubic triangle with a central slit. This motif is also present on an artifact from the Yarmukian layers at Jebel Abu Thawwab, ...
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... pointing) triangles resembling pubic triangles. For example, a phallic-shaped stone artifact from Yarmukian period Sha'ar Hagolan ( Garfinkel 2004, 170-171), includes a large incised pubic triangle with a central slit. This motif is also present on an artifact from the Yarmukian layers at Jebel Abu Thawwab, Jordan (Kafafi 2001, 59; plate 18 C). 2001, fig. 9.6.7) and at Ras Shamra in Syria (de Contenson 1973, fig 16; Yizraeli- Noy 1999, 104, fig. ...
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... and at Ras Shamra in Syria (de Contenson 1973, fig 16; Yizraeli- Noy 1999, 104, fig. 3). ...
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... artifact from Yarmukian period Sha'ar Hagolan ( Garfinkel 2004, 170-171), includes a large incised pubic triangle with a central slit. This motif is also present on an artifact from the Yarmukian layers at Jebel Abu Thawwab, Jordan (Kafafi 2001, 59; plate 18 C). 2001, fig. 9.6.7) and at Ras Shamra in Syria (de Contenson 1973, fig 16; Yizraeli- Noy 1999, 104, fig. ...
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... suggest that the historic link between a goddess and the palm form a constellation, or pre-mythic complex, which can be identified even earlier in schematic form in the pre-literate Neolithic iconography of the Near East. Keel and Uehlinger (1998, figs 11a-b, 12a-c, 13a-b) note that in Middle Bronze Age IIB scarabs, the 'divine tree' appears as palm branches or fronds of palms with a naked goddess flanked by two branches. The palm branches or fronds are represented in graphic form -a central line onto which whole, or partial, nested V shapes are attached. ...
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... schematic portrayal of the palm branch is in fact a 'nested V' motif, which mimics the morphology of the actual palm. The nested V motif is present in the pottery decorations of both the Yarmukian and Wadi Rabah cultures of the southern Levant (Figure 12), and continues into the Chalcolithic period. From its earliest appearance, in the Natufian period (Perrot 1966, Gregg, Chazan andJanetski 2011;Goring-Morris 1998;Belfer-Cohen and Goring Morris 2014, 63), its similarity to the backbone of a fish has caused it to be known as a 'hydra' or herringbone pattern (Stekelis 1972, 25;Orrelle 1993;Garfinkel 2004, 163;Gopher and Eyal 2012, 369-370). ...
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... inverted, i.e. the tip points downward (pubis). She regards this configuration as a compact expression of dual sex, a characteristic of the divine. The zigzag pattern is not continuous, but shows a clear begin- ning and end, simulating the palm fronds that flank the red triangles on Yarmukian pottery (Figure 9; Garfinkel 2004, 113;Garfinkel 1992, fig 92:8, fig. ...
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... interpretation of the upward pointing triangles is that they depict a schematic mountain, a motif which was prevalent in different forms through- out the ancient Near East: from Mesopotamian and Ugaritic cultures, and as far as Egypt and Greece and figures prominently in religious practices throughout the ages and in attendant mythic narratives (e.g. Keel 1997, fig 23; Collon 1990, fig 20). ...
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... lines can express a number of different ideas. On the Neve-Yam figurine the upper horizontal demarcation may act as an indication of a phallus while the lower marks the top flat line of a pubic triangle. This combination appears with a central vertical line for example in a Yarmukian pebble figurine from Nahal Zehora II (Gopher and Eyal 2012, fig. 29:12:1) and on the back of a pebble figurine from Sha'ar Hagolan ( Garfinkel 2004, 175;Yizraeli-Noy 1999, 91;Orrelle 2014, fig. 96). Thus, the horizontal lines delineating male and female genitalia in an androgynous composition, are precursors to those on the incised bone from ...
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... the Neve-Yam image, trees alternate with upward pointing triangles, a mixed iconic and aniconic parallel of the zigzag motif on Yarmukian pottery showing alternating male and female symbols. The cross hatched upward triangle cum mountain motif is illustrated for example on an Assyrian cylinder seal (Keel 1997, fig 23).The iconic tree and mountain symbols are a new form of symbol signaling androgyny. In the Hagosherim and Mari objects, trees appear with caprines which Keel (1998, 19) regards as symbols of virility, the caprid being interchangeable with the upward point- ing triangle or mountain. ...
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... while the central one is dominant and uncon- ditioned. Frankfort (1954, 12, fig. 7C, plate 6) claims that the concept of heraldic flanking was probably no earlier than the Proto-literate period at the beginning of the Bronze Age in the ancient Near East and the con- temporary pre-Dynastic period in Egypt as seen at the site of Hierokonpolis (Janson 1962, fig. 40). Thus, finding an early form of heraldic flanking appearing in the Neolithic period may hint at an early form of hierarchical relations between ...
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... for example, the innovative appearance of schematic representations of anthropomorphic subjects on flat tabular material. Examples of these are described from Wadi Rabah layers at Hagosherim (Yizraeli-Noy 1999, 106, 107); from Beisamoun (Yizraeli-Noy 1999, 114); from Munhata (Yizraeli-Noy 1999, 113) and from Nahal Zehora ( Gopher and Eyal 2012, fig. 29.18a, 1, plate 29.18b). The incised bone artifacts from Neve-Yam and Hagosherim similarly display a large, relatively flat, surface on which motifs were incised. How did these compositions differ and what did they contribute to the transmission of ...
Citations
... In this context, among the artefacts thought to have importance for the concepts of symbolism, iconography and ritual, stone vessels, figured stone plaques, bone plaques, pillars/stele, public buildings, some wall decorations, stone sticks and some burial customs dated to the early phases of the northern Mesopotamian Pre-Pottery Neolithic both provide information on the regional developments of the symbolism and iconographic art of the period and allow the examination of the interactions between regions (Benz and Bauer, 2013;Goring-Morris and Belfer-Cohen, 2014;Kodaş, 2019b;Verhoeven, 2001). In addition to the aforementioned finds, the figured bone plaques dated to the early phases of the northern Mesopotamian Pre-Pottery Neolithic Period and thought to be important for symbolic, ritual, and iconographic concepts have begun to be re-examined as an important group of finds (Dietrich and Notroff, 2016;Kodaş et al., 2019;Orrelle and Horwitz, 2016;Siddiq et al., 2021;Fig. 1). ...
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Among the artefacts of fundamental importance in the context of symbolism and iconography during the Neo-lithization process in northern Mesopotamia, there is much research about, and publication relating to, human figurines or statues, animal figurines or statues, figured stone objects, stone vessels, bone plaques, wall decoration (paint, relief, or incision) and stone pillars. While among these various research topics bone plaques have been noticeably less studied than other classes of small finds, they are gradually gaining importance. From the figurative and typological perspective, these objects carry importance for their visual characteristics and their regional variety, but it is notable that their typological differences and functions are still not well understood. This study opens a new debate about the techno-typological characteristics, regional distribution, and modes of use of these objects starting from a group of bone plaques recovered from burial contexts during the excavations of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic settlement of Boncuklu Tarla in southeast Turkey. Portable symbolic artefacts are found to show significant overlaps between materials, iconography and use as well as regional identities and temporal continuities in techniques and decoration.
... In Prehistoric Archaeology they do not seem to have reached a similar impact, although some examples of successful application exist (e.g. Orrelle and Kolska Horwitz 2016). This limited use of Panofsky's ideas is obviously related to his basic assessment of interpretational possibilities (e.g. ...
... But to some extent, this lack can be compensated for by find contexts on a macro (site-) and micro (deposition-) level, and through analogical reasoning (e.g. Eggert 2010: 69-70;Orrelle and Kolska Horwitz 2016). Although there are several more theoretic approaches to images, mostly derived from semiotics or communication theory (e.g. ...
In 2011 a special object was discovered at Göbekli
Tepe in one of the excavation trenches in the tell´s nor-
thwestern depression (area K10-45, Locus 7.2).
Excavation had just proceeded into layers undisturbed
by modern ploughing, but there were still no traces of
architecture, when the fragment of a bone object was
found. The artefact was described preliminarily
as a ‘spatula’ made from a rib bone. It measures 5.3 x
1.9 x 0.3 cm and carries a carved depiction that is only
partially preserved. The image is unclear, however the
upper part features two hatched T-shaped forms, one of
which is completely preserved, the other only fragmen-
tarily. These T-shapes rapidly led to associations with
Göbekli Tepe´s most prominent architectural feature,
and to a vivid discussion within the research team fo-
cusing on the probability of this interpretation and our
comprehension of Neolithic art in general.
Semiotics does not necessarily talk about the sign and signifier relation system. The formation of the university emblem has a historicity dimension, in semiotic mode, it is a text that is formed, negotiated, and modified, acting as a mediator between the audience and the collective tradition/cultural structure. Tracing the existence of an object through a semiotic point of view can open up opportunities in the formation of historical discourse on how it is present, whether it is revealed openly or disguised in the form of implications, and how to package its argumentative scheme. Retrospective actions taken by institutions through symbols can study patterns of thinking, how they see, what is shown and what is made invisible through institutional practices.
Charred botanical finds from the excavation of the Early Bronze Age city of Jericho (Tell es-Sultan), one of the earliest urban centers of 3rd millennium BC Palestine, were collected during the 2015-2017 excavation seasons carried out by Sapienza University of Rome and the Palestinian MoTA-DACH. Among other plant macro-remains, a round fruit was found in the subsidiary room behind the throne room of Royal Palace G, next to a vase, in the burnt filling overlying the platform.
It was identified as a drupe of a dwarf palm, through classical archaeobotanical techniques and computed tomography scan. Two dwarf palms were taken into consideration: the Mediterranean dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis L.) and the Mazari palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana (Griff.) Aitch. native to the Saharo-Indian region), both with small, round/oval fruits, none of which currently grows in the area of Jericho. A detailed analysis of iconography, archaeobotanical literature and herbarium samples of both species stored in Rome (RO), Florence (FIAF) and Edinburgh (E), has allowed to identify the charred drupe as Nannorrhops ritchiana. Its presence in the palace suggests the existence of an overland commercial track to the south-east, across the desert of Saudi Arabia, which only recent excavations and other finds have revealed.
The article can be downloaded for free at: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/E9ADXZBQCFGTRIUEDWCF/full?target=10.1080/11263504.2020.178596
The Late Chalcolithic period of the Southern Levant is marked by increased regional behaviour. Despite this, there is an increased production and distribution of finely made basalt vessels. These were frequently adorned with a single row of incised triangles along the rim. This motif is widely distributed throughout the Southern Levant and was formed according to specific morphometric guidelines and standardisation. These include a preference for symmetrical acute triangles filled with hatches. This standardisation attests to a somewhat specialised production and perhaps a shared significance behind the design, tied directly to the value of basalt or the basalt vessels. The triangle design then acts as a commentary on the Chalcolithic socioeconomic system. Résumé. La période du Chalcolithique ancien au Levant Sud est marquée par un plus grand développement régional. En addition à cela, une augmentation de la production et de la distribution de fines vaisselles faites de basalte est attestée. Elles sont souvent décorées avec une rangée de triangles incisés le long du rebord du col. Le motif est largement distribué au Levant Sud et est formé selon des lignes directrices typomorphologiques spécifiques. Ces directives comprennent une préférence pour des triangles aigus symétriques remplies de hachures. Cela peut indiquer que leur production était dictée par des conventions portant une signification sociale pour les communautés chalcolithiques. C'est pourquoi l'utilisation courante de ce motif triangulaire nous porte à croire que les villages chalcolithiques ont partagés un système d'utilisation et de production commun des bols de basalte décorés dépassant les limites régionales.
The Late Chalcolithic period in the southern Levant shows a marked increase in symbolic expression. While most Late Chalcolithic basalt bowls are undecorated, notable amounts of these were adorned, and their decorations typically conform to a few canonized conventions. A small amount of the decorated Late Chalcolithic basalt bowls are further incised with unconventional, unique designs on their exteriors. These elaborately decorated basalt bowls stand in sharp contrast to the conventionally decorated ones, thus signifying their different roles. This article discusses their geographic distributions, frequencies, and characteristics, and offers further suggestions as to their position within the Late Chalcolithic symbolic and prestige item systems. The analysis reveals regional patterns—the elaborately decorated basalt bowls are constrained to south of the Yarkon River—suggesting that the function and symbolic value of these bowls were probably geographically restricted. Their limited distribution underlines the exclusivity of these elaborately decorated bowls during the Late Chalcolithic period. © 2019 American Schools of Oriental Research. 0003-097X/2019/381-007$10.00. All rights reserved.
