Spatial distribution of the early bronze clay figurative pieces from Khirbet ez-Zeraqon and its religious aspects

Abstract

This article highlights some of the religious aspects of the lives of dwellers of the third millennium BC in the southern Levant. Remarkable clay figurative pieces from this period have been found at Khirbet ez-Zeraqon, an Early Bronze Age site in northern Jordan. Two main factors play an important role in interpreting the function of these pieces: the first is the subjects that they represent; the second is the places where they were found. The clay figurative pieces from Khirbet ez-Zeraqon refer to cultic function either directly, as in the case of a sacrifice scene, or indirectly, as in the case of pottery vessels with snake applications. Furthermore, the find places of the objects clearly reflect a direct connection between the clay figurines and cult. More than 50 per cent of the clay figurines uncovered in the upper city were discovered at the temple, while in the lower city more than 60 per cent of the finds were concentrated in one building (B1.3), which has special features in comparison with other domestic buildings nearby. These circumstances might indicate that ritual practices were not restricted to the temple area in the upper city, but that some people practised their worship in the lower city.* 94395_Anes_48_02_Ajlouny.indd 88 30/06/11 12:52 EARLY BRONZE CLAY FIGURATIVE PIECES FROM KHIRBET EZ-ZERAQON 89 1 Legrain 1930; Van Buren 1930; Dales 1960; Tuchelt 1962; Barrelet 1968; Ucko 1968; Klengel-Brandet 1978; Badre 1980; Isik 1986; Liebowitz 1988; Wrede 1990; Bretschneider 1991; Cholidis 1989; 1992; Pruss and Link 1994; Obladen-Kauder 1996; McAdam 1997; Beck 1993; 2002a; 2002b. 2 This study was to a great extent based on the results of Fardous al Ajlouny’s doctoral thesis, which was accomplished in 2000. The figurative pieces that were published afterwards were very few; for instance, a piece recovered in Khirbet al Batrawy (Nigro 2006); another example is a metallic zoomorphic figurine from Qiryat ‘Ata on Ha-Shophtim Street in Palestine (Fantalkin 2000, figs 17:1, 18:1). Due to the small number of miniature pieces published since the thesis, the statistical analysis for the spatial distribution has not changed tremendously. Introduction Clay figurines or other miniature pieces made of clay constitute important evidence for understanding the rituals and beliefs of people in ancient times and provide an invaluable testimony to everyday life and ancient religion. In fact, a number of comprehensive and systematic studies have been conducted on this subject as it relates to many parts of the Near East.1 The southern Levant, however, lacks such studies of miniature pieces and their function. One of the best known sites in the area in terms of miniature pieces is Khirbet ez-Zeraqon. The assemblage of the figurative pieces from Khirbet ez-Zeraqon, as compared with other Early Bronze Age sites, is one of the largest in the southern Levant. It composes 29 per cent of the total repertoire in the area and 67 per cent of the assemblage in all of Jordan (Figs 1 and 2).2 The main aim of this study is to shed light on some new aspects of the religious life of the Early Bronze Age dwellers of the southern Levant, as reflected in the remarkable clay figurative pieces found in Khirbet ezZeraqon in North Jordan.