In Th i s Iss u e

D’arne O’Neill Mechthild Ladurner So u t h Ar a b i a n Te r r a c o t t a Fi g u - 2 Te r r a c o t t a De d i c a t i o n s i n Co n - 15 r i n e s f r o m t h e Ma r i b Oas i s , Ye m e n t e x t : An Ex a m p l e f r o m El e a Ve l i a

Erell Hubert Caitlín Barrett and Emil Nankov Mo c h e Fi g u r i n e s a n d t h e Co l o n i z a - 4 Eg yp t i a n Im a g e r y i n He l l e n i s t i c 17 t i o n o f t h e Sa n t a Va l l e y , Pe r u Bu l g a r i a : La m ps f r o m t h e Th r a c i a n Ci t y o f Se u t h o p o l i s Vanessa Chillemi Co r o p l as t i c a m o d e l l a t o a m a n o i n 6 Paul Jacobs Si c i l i a ; p r o b l e m i d i p r o d u z i o n e e Fi g u r i n e 70668, Te l l Ha l i f , Is r a e l 18 d i ff u z i o n e Adi Erlich Announcement Te r r a c o tt a Fi g u r i n e s f r o m An c i e n t 20 Fi g u r i n e Se ss i o n a t ASOR 2010 7 Ti m e s : An Ex h i b i t i o n a t t h e Na- t i o n a l Ma r i t i m e Mu s e u m i n Ha i fa , Izak Cornelius Is r a e l Te r r a c o t t a Fi g u r i n e s f r o m Pa l e s - 8 t i n e i n t h e Pe r s i a n Pe r i o d CSIG Bo o k Re v i e w s In i t i a t i v e 21

Raz Kletter Marina Albertocchi Ya v n e h I Pu b l i s h e d 9 εις μνήμην Pi e r o Or l a n d i n i 22

Mehdi Mortazavi Call for Papers Fi g u r i n e s o f Br o n z e Ag e Ir a n : Te p e 11 Fi g u r i n e s i n Co n t e x t : Ic o n o g r ap h y 23 Das h t a n d Fu n c t i o n (s) Elizabeth Weistra Announcement Te r r a c o t t a Vo t i v e Off e r i n g s f r o m 13 CSIG t o Sp o n s o r Ro u n d Ta b l e a t 25 t h e At h e n a i o n i n Fr a n c av i l l a ASOR 2010 Ma r i t t i m a , Ca l a b r i a , It a l y : Fr o m Co l l e c t i o n t o Co n t e x t

The Coroplastic Studies Interest Group is a recognized Interest Group of the Archaeological Institute of America. Founded in 2007, the CSIG now com- prises 122 members from 19 countries around the world who are conducting archaeological, historical, technical, and/or art historical research on issues pertaining to sculptural objects in terracotta, regardless of chronological or geographical focus. http://www.coroplasticstudies.org

01 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

D’arne O’Neill (University of Sydney) So u t h Ar a b i a n Te r r a c o t t a Fi g u r i n e s f r o m t h e Ma r i b Oas i s , Ye m e n

South Arabian terracotta figurines ing the first half of the first mil- terpretation can often be seen as are currently known from both lennium BCE. It consisted of an a proxy indicator of the latest in- excavations and art market pur- extensive settlement infrastruc- tellectual paradigm. However, at chases in Yemen. However, apart ture that included Marib, the capi- least in the case of the dromedary from studies describing unprov- tal, the state temple of Almaqah, terracottas it may be that they enanced examples held in various and the Awam cemetery, as well were substitutes for burials of museums in Sana’a and mention as other temples, cemeteries, set- real camels. Whether the drom- in some excavation reports, there tlements, and hydraulic works. edary terracottas co-existed with, has been little research devoted to preceded, or post-dated burials of them.1 One of the earliest dated So far the greatest numbers of real camels is difficult to know. repertoires was excavated from terracottas from the oasis have The anthropomorphic representa- settlement sites near Aden in the been excavated from the Awam tions are mainly standing females, south of Yemen by a joint Ger- cemetery.3 The cemetery was with only two figurines of males man-Russian team in the 1990s. most probably an elite cemetery It consists of about 120 terracottas because of its monumental archi- and is dated from the third to the tecture and its location next to the very early first millennia BCE. Almaqah temple, the main state shrine. Unfortunately, the cem- etery lacks stratigraphy, being badly eroded and looted in both ancient and modern times, so dat- ing of the terracotta figurines can- not be more precise than the first millennium BCE. A further 88 terracottas are known from gen- eral surveys in the oasis. Again dating is very uncertain, but the oasis was irrigated by at least the second, if not the third, mil- lennium BCE. However the only terracottas so far excavated from stratigraphic contexts in the oa- sis come from the Bar’an temple, where they have been dated be- tween the fifth/fourth centuries BCE and the third century CE.4 Fig. 2 Female terracotta figurine Awam cem- The Awam cemetery repertoire etery Marib Oasis. Photo © DAI J. Kramer Fig.1. Dromedary terracotta figurinesAwam consists of nearly 300 zoomor- cemetery Marib oasis. Photo © DAI J. Kramer. Drawing © DAI M. Manda phic and anthropomorphic terra- currently identified. At this stage cotta figurines, with zoomorphic of the project comparanda is lim- terracottas accounting for slightly ited to South Arabia. However, one of the larger rep- over half the total repertoire. To- ertoires is from the Marib oasis gether, dromedaries and female As with all repertoires of figu- and the nearby Sabaean city of figurines make up 90 per cent of rines, the functions and symbolic Sirwah, about 135 kms north- the total repertoire. Both groups importance of the South Arabian east of Sana’a. Excavated by the comprise stylized, simple repre- repertoire are ambiguous and de- Deutsches Archäologisches Insti- sentations, and where decoration pendent on their specific cultural tut (DAI), these terracottas cur- is applied it is most commonly as context. However, the project rently make up the main body bands of red paint, although head will initially concentrate on three of a research project into South and neck treatments are also pres- questions. First, the notion of Arabian terracotta figurines. The sent (figs. 1 - 4). Much discussion substitution is a fertile concept in Marib oasis was the ‘heartland’ of has been spent on the function relation to terracotta use. Such use the powerful Sabaean state dur- of figurines so that terracotta in- of substitution has been argued for

02 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

to track diachronic cavations of the German Institute changes in terracotta of Archaeology at the cemetery of function, but the lack Aw_m in Marib,” Proceedings of of stratigraphy and the Seminar for Arabian Studies the unprovenanced 28:117-24. nature of much of the Marib oasis terracot- 4 Vo gt , B. 1997. “Les temples ta figurine repertoire de Ma’rib – Bar‘ân,” In C.J. prevent this. Howev- Robin and B. Vogt (eds.) Yémen, er, the terracotta figu- au pays de la reine de Saba’. rines from Sirwah, Paris:Flammarion:140-46. a well-controlled, stratigraphic excava- 5 Po s tg a t e , J.N. 1994. “Text tion, may make this and figure in Mesopotamia,” a possibility as the In C. Renfrew and E.B.W. Zu- project progresses. brow, The Ancient Mind. Ele- Fig. 3. Figurine head treatment. Awam cemetery Marib oasis. Drawing © DAI M. Manda ments of Cognitive Archaeology. Re f e r e n c e s Cambridge:Cambridge Univer- sity Press:176-184. 1 Ya s e e n G.T., e l - Ga m i l i M.M., and 6 Me s k e l l , L. 2007. “Refiguring Sh a l a n A.M. 1996. the corpus at Çatalhöyük,” In C. “Unpublished ter- Renfrew and I. Morley (eds.) Im- racotta figurines in age and Imagination: A Global the Museum of the Prehistory of Figurative Repre- Archaeology De- sentation. Cambridge: McDon- partment, Sana’a ald Institute of Archaeological University, Yemen,” Research, University of Cam- Arabian Archaeol- bridge:137-49. ogy and Epigraphy 7:287–303. Mo o r e y , P.R.S. 2003. Idols of the People. Miniature Images of Ya s e e n , G.T. and Clay in the Ancient Near East, Sh a r g a b i , D.D. 2007. Oxford: Oxford University Press Fig. 4. Terracotta figurine neck treatment Marib Oasis. “Terracotta figurines Photo © DAI from the National and Military muse- ums in Sana’a, Ye- clay figurines and miniature ves- men,” Arabian Archaeology and sels in other West Asian contexts Epigraphy 18:193-207. by Postgate, but is it a relevant concept for South Arabian ter- 2 Vo gt , B. and Se d o v , A. 1998. racottas?5 Second, both Moorey “The Sabir culture and coastal and Meskell have commented on Yemen during the second mil- the ‘everyday-ness’ of terracot- lennium BC – the present state tas.6 To what extent do terracotta of discussion,” Proceedings of figurines provide a much needed the Seminar for Arabian Studies window into South Arabian ev- 28:261-70. eryday symbolic landscapes, in- cluding non-elite, symbolic land- 3 Ge r l a c h , I. 2002. “Der Fried- scapes? Third, terracotta figurines hof des Aw_m-Tempels in Marib. are known from mortuary, settle- Bericht der Ausgrabungen von ment, and temple contexts in the 1997 bis 2000,” Archäologische oasis, so can different production, Berichte aus dem Yemen IX:41- use, and discard patterns be dis- 91. cerned between the various con- Contact: [email protected]. texts? It would also be exciting Hi tg e n , H. 1998. “The 1997 ex- edu.au

03 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Erell Hubert (Cambridge University) Mo c h e Fi g u r i n e s a n d t h e Co l o n i z a t i o n o f t h e Sa n t a Va l l e y , Pe r u

For my master’s thesis, I tried local population during phase III Valley are hollow (78,4%). The to understand the meanings and (300 to 450 AD), to a real po- posture of the figures repre- functions of Moche figurines, litical hegemony of the Moche sented by the figurines is highly notably their ideological role over the valley during phase IV standardized with straight legs within the context of the Moche (450 to 700/800 AD) (Chapde- and arms folded across the chest. colonization of the Santa Valley laine, 2008). I analyzed a cor- Faces are naturalistically treated. in Peru. The Moche were pres- pus composed of 10 complete Most figures appear bald or have ent along the north coast of Peru figurines and 621 fragments very simple hairstyles fram-

Fig. 1 Moche figurines from the Santa Valley, Peru between 200 and 850 AD, and coming from El Castillo, phase ing the face in relief or going the Santa Valley is considered III regional center, and Guada- around the neck and down the to have been a central objective lupito, phase IV regional center. back of the head in black paint. in the southern Moche expan- My corpus is divided in two main Only a minority of the figures sion (Chapdelaine, 2008: 129 ; categories: small solid figurines wear bracelets and earrings, but Castillo and Uceda, 2008: 716). (5-10 cm) and larger hollow fig- more than 90% wear necklaces Recent results point toward a urines (15-20 cm). In both cases, ranging from a simple band to, relatively gradual colonization the figurines are moulded ce- rarely, several rows of beads. of the valley, from a political ramic objects. The vast majority The figures are also mostly nude and economic alliance with the of Moche figurines in the Santa or wearing a shirt stopping just

04 NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER OF THE OF COROPLASTICTHE COROPLASTIC STUDIES STUDIES INTEREST INTEREST GROUP GROUP • No. 4• SUMMERNo. 4 SUMMER 2010 2010 above the pelvis, a mode of dress sented in scenes referring to so- the specific colonial situation of that highlights the female geni- cial reproduction in Moche ico- the valley. tal area. It can then be said that nography; and the high visibility Moche figurines from the Santa of hollow figurines that suggests Valley mainly represent women rituals involving a group of peo- Re f e r e n c e s : (97,4%) only partially clothed ple. These features are particu- and wearing few adornments. larly strong at El Castillo and Ca s t i l l o Bu tt e r s , Lu i s Ja i m e While they can be recovered decrease slightly at Guadalupito. a n d Sa n t i a g o Uc e d a Ca s t i l l o from public or funerary con- By contributing to the reinforce- 2008. “The Mochicas” in Hand- texts, Moche figurines are much ment of social cohesion between book of South American Ar- more frequent in domestic con- Moche colonists, and therefore chaeology, edited by H. Silver- texts. They are present in similar contributing to the maintenance man and W.H. Isbell, New York: proportions in every residential of Moche socio-cultural schemes Springer, pp.707-729. compound of both El Castillo in the Santa Valley, figurines and Guadalupito. They are not were involved in the ideological Ch a p d e l a i n e , Claude. 2008. used in specific rooms, but seem colonization of the Santa Valley. “Moche Art Style in the Santa to have been used in more pri- During phase IV, the change to- Valley: Between Being «à la vate areas rather than in rooms wards a hegemonic control over mode» and Developing a Pro- with a more public vocation. the valley and the massive arriv- vincial Identity,” in The Art and The absence of figurine con- al of population from the Moche Archaeology of the Moche ed- centrations and their important valley probably ensured a more ited by S. Bourget et K.L. Jones, fragmentation suggest their ma- solid social stability, thus neces- Austin: University of Texas nipulation by the living rather sitating less reinforcement. Figu- Press, pp.129-152. than their use as offerings. The rines then lost a bit of their sym- presence of figurines in places bolic importance on a social level as politically and religiously im- . portant as huacas also seems to In my PhD, I intend to expand rule out a purely profane func- on the relationship between the tion. It is therefore plausible that appearance and use of figurines figurines had a ritual vocation. and the strategies adopted by However, ritual use of Moche the Moche for the integration of figurines did not entail their rit- a large territory. I will compare ual destruction after use. Indeed, figurines, but also other small the loci of fragmentation are anthropomorphic artifacts, such directly linked to the figurines’ as whistles and pendants, from weaknesses, and reparation trac- the Santa Valley with those from es, as well as use after breakage, the site of Huaca del Sol y de la are visible on some fragments. Luna, considered the center of They can then be considered as power behind the political unifi- ritual objects manipulated in a cation of the southern valleys of relatively private context, prob- the Moche sphere of influence. ably in everyday life, and shared Based on the results of the Santa by the whole Moche population Valley Project of the University of El Castillo and Guadalupito of Montreal, I suggest that the . Santa Valley had been colonised On a more ideological level, by colonists from Huaca del several features also suggest that Sol y de la Luna who took con- Moche figurines in the Santa trol of the lower valley during Valley participated to the rein- phase IV and who progressively forcement of social cohesion: the gained more independence from sharing of figurines by the whole the capital. If this hypothesis is population; the homogeneity of correct, figurines, musical in- representations that eludes social struments, and pendants should differentiations; the emphasis on reflect Moche general stylis- figurines of females, considering tic canons, while still revealing that women are mostly repre- some transformations linked to Contact: [email protected]

05 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Vanessa Chillemi (Università degli Studi di Messina) Co r o p l as t i c a m o d e l l a t o a m a n o i n Si c i l i a p r o b l e m i d i p r o d u z i o n e e d i ff u z i o n e

corda i kouroi greco-orientali. Molto consistente si è rivelato, inoltre, l’apporto corinzio nella scelta di tipi e modelli, si possono ricordare cavalieri, three legged satyrs, bamboline ad arti mobili. Sono presenti, inoltre, attardamen- ti di tipi minoico-micenei, come le figurine a corpo cilindrico, alcuni soggetti fantastici (centauro, sire- na, cavalluccio marino e così via) e una consistente presenza di figu- Fig. 1. Soggetti di vita quotidiana. rine appartenenti a gruppi plastici, il cui significato simbolico si può La stipe votiva di Piazza San Come le altre classi prodotte con- immaginare connesso a pratiche Francesco a Catania, uno dei più temporaneamente in Sicilia, an- rituali (come danze in cerchio) importanti e ricchi complessi vo- che la produzione a mano e in tec- che si svolgevano nel santuario. tivi dell'Occidente greco, ha res- nica mista ha risentito di influssi tituito un’immensa mole di ma- esterni. Influenze greco-orientali Seppur spesso ispirata a tecniche teriali, circa 15000 esemplari tra e attiche emergono nella scelta di e modelli esterni, la produzione ceramica e coroplastica. Fra essi stilemi caratteristici della grande catanese appare, in questa fase una particolare classe di oggetti, quantitativamente e anche quali- tativamente “inferiori”: si tratta di figurine umane o antropomorfe e di centinaia di piccoli animaletti fittili -soprattutto volatili- model- lati a mano e in tecnica mista. Lo studio di questi fittili -oggetto del mio progetto di ricerca per il dottorato presso l’Università di Messina- ha già messo in evi- denza alcuni aspetti di particolare interesse, sia dal punto di vista tecnico e della produzione sia dal punto di vista iconografico. Fino ad ora è stati possibile indi- viduare una notevole varietà ti- pologica e avanzare delle ipotesi sul possibile funzionamento delle botteghe di produzione di tali ma- teriali tra il VI e il IV secolo a. C. Fig. 2. Volatili Tra i materiali spiccano in parti- colare i soggetti di vita quotidiana scultura, come l’impostazione dei preliminare dello studio, comp- (Fig. 1) che costituiscono un im- volti o la capigliatura delle korai lessivamente frutto di un artigia- portante documento per risalire a arcaiche, nella scelta di soggetti nato locale che ha rielaborato at- mestieri e utensili di uso comune particolari (ad esempio scimmi- tivamente tali modelli, giungendo in età arcaica. ette) o nell’abbigliamento che ri- a creazioni originali.

06 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

La produzione di animali fittili, stilistico, rispondevano probabil- classe di materiali in Sicilia con invece, molto varia dal punto di mente alla richiesta di un ceto non un’attenzione maggiore posta vista delle specie rappresentate elevato: la relativa facilità di pro- ai maggiori centri produttori, (cavalli, cani, tartarughe, rane, duzione e le dimensioni ridotte ne alle varie fasi di ricerca, ai con- scrofe, arieti e soprattutto vola- consentivano, infatti, la vendita a testi di rinvenimento, ponendo tili) (fig. 2), appare più omogenea costi molto ridotti e, in ogni caso, l’attenzione sull’eventuale associ- dal punto di vista tecnico. Ancora costituiscono un interessante azione con altri materiali. oggi aperto resta il dibattito sul punto di partenza per lo studio valore religioso di tali offerte, che del mondo delle “piccole cose” ha dato adito a diverse discussioni che ruotava intorno alla vita del e interpretazioni. grande santuario. Fra gli spunti più interessanti che Gli obiettivi fondamentali di da questo studio si sono desunti questo progetto di ricerca (per sono senza dubbio quelli sulla notizie preliminari visita il sito possibile coesistenza della tec- http://www.figuredargilla.com/1/ nica a mano e di quella a matrice terrecotte_a_mano_e_in_tecni- all’interno dello stesso atelier e ca_mista_2204937.html) sono la quindi sul valore “economico” di disamina completa dei processi tale produzione. di fabbricazione di tali materiali, del funzionamento delle bot- Queste “piccole” offerte, che cir- teghe di coroplasti in età arcaica colavano parallelamente alle pro- e l’opportunità di tracciare una duzioni a matrice di alto livello sintesi dello sviluppo di questa Contact:[email protected]

Fi g u r i n e Se ss i o n a t ASOR 2011 Am e r i c a n Sc h o o l s o f Or i e n t a l Re s e a r c h An n u a l Me e t i n g No v e m b e r 17 - 20, 2010, At l a n t a , Ge o r g i a “Fi g u r i n g Ou t ” t h e Fi g u r i n e s o f t h e An c i e n t Ne a r Eas t This session aims to bring together scholars researching terracotta figurines from sites across the Ancient Near East to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue and cross-cultural comparisons of figurines. Many advances in the technological analysis of figurine production, anthropological theory of figurine use, and art historical analysis of figurine iconography have been made in recent years. This session will allow room for discussion of these advances in figurine research, as well as demonstrate their practical application to ancient Near Eastern ter- racotta figurine analysis. Stephanie Langin-Hooper (University of California, Berkeley) presiding

Ru e d i g e r Sc h m i t t (University of Muenster), Ad i Er l i c h (University of Haifa), “The Emer- “Animal Figurines as Ritual Media in Ancient gence of Enthroned Females in Hellenistic Ter- Israel” racottas from Israel: Cyprus, Asia Minor, and Canaanite Connections” Ch r i s t o p h e r A. Tu t t l e (American Center of Oriental Research, Jordan), “Nabataean Cam- P. M. Mi c h e l e Dav i a u (Wilfrid Laurier Uni- els & Horses in Daily Life: The Coroplastic versity), “The Coroplastic Traditions of Tran- Evidence” sjordan”

Er i n Da r b y (Duke University), “Seeing Dou- Ri c k Ha u s e r (International Institute for Meso- ble: Viewing and Re-Viewing Judean Pillar potamian Area Studies), “Reading Figurines: Figurines Through Modern Eyes” Animal Representations in Terra Cotta from Urkesh, the First Hurrian Capital (2450 BCE)”

07 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Izak Cornelius (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa) Te r r a c o t t a Fi g u r i n e s f r o m Pa l e s t i n e i n t h e Pe r s i a n Pe r i o d

As part of a project (undertaken by calling them Astarte or Baal. terial at a Workshop at the Ruhr together with Christian Frevel This is debatable. Stern also ar- University, Bochum, Germany. of Bochum, Germany, and in gued that because of the lack of This paper will be published in co-operation with such figurines in an Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis the International the regions of volume Jewish “Material“ Oth- symbol systems Samaria and erness? Studies in the Forma- of Palestine in the Judah (Yehud) tion of Persian Period Judaism(s) Persian period, I in contrast to (Editors: Christian Frevel & Izak am researching an abundance Cornelius), entitled “‘East meets the terracotta fig- in the other West.’ Phoenician and Hellenis- urines. Whereas regions, there tic Trends in the Terracotta Figu- the material from was a “religious rines.” This volume will also in- Syria, Phoenicia revolution”, or clude a contribution by Katharina and Jordan was a “purification” Pyschny (University of Bochum) studied by Astrid of Israelite reli- on “Puzzling Bearded Men. The Nunn, such an un- gion. This is an Issue of Horse and Rider Figu- dertaking is still a over-simplified rines.” desideratum for interpretation. the southern re- It is not true gions. that there are none, although In this period we have only a some icono- few examples graphic types dis- from Judah appear, whereas and Samaria. others appear on There are also the scene for the other explana- first time. The na- tions for the ked female figu- presumed total rines so typical of discontinuity the previous pe- riod are replaced A matter by dressed preg- which also nant women and needs serious women holding attention is the children. There find spot. Stern are also types over-empha- which look more sized the im- “Western”, indicating Greek in- portance of the favissae (refuse or fluence. A type which is typical repository pits of sanctuaries for for the period are bearded men discarded objects). Another mat- (mostly seated) with high head- ter for consideration is the distri- dresses, and especially horse rid- bution between the different sites ers. Again more “Western” types where figures were found and enter the repertoire, resembling how these link with the boundar- Hercules and the “temple boys” ies of Yehud, Samaria and Edom. from Cyprus. It seems possible to differentiate between different regions, e.g. de- As far as interpretation goes, marcating Yehud from Edom, as Ephraim Stern described the far as figurines are concerned.In figurines as “cult figurines” and even identified some with deities In January 2010 I spoke on ma- Contact: [email protected]

08 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Raz Kletter Yavneh I Published

Raz Kletter, Irit Ziffer, Wolfgang of cult stands based on form. Zwickel, Yavneh I: The Excava- There are two major types (rect- tion of the ‘Temple Hill’ Reposi- angular and elliptic) and one mi- tory Pit and the Cult Stands. OBO nor type, which is a sort of an in- SA 30, xii+298 pp., 176 plates between (ellipto-rectangular). (including 29 color plates). With Former scholars employed vari- contributions by D. Ben-Shlomo, ous typologies and each defined A. Gorzalczany, H.K. Mienis, D. differently the term ‘cult stand’. Namdar, R. Neumann, N. Panitz- They also often discussed togeth- Cohen and S. Weiner. er a wide array of objects, span- ning several millennia and re- Link: http://www.st-paul.ch gions. It is important to note that stand CAT47 (photo R. Kletter) stand CAT47 cult stands are constructions, so In the words of the late Professor when they are described, scholars Moshe Kochavi, the Philistine re- often use architectural terms pository pit at Yavneh (Iron Age (walls, roof, windows, etc.). This II, c. 950-850 BC) is the kind of is only because we have only one discovery made only once every language to describe construc- fifty years. It is the richest reposi- tions, that is, the language of ar- tory pit ever found from Bronze Finding thefigures on cult chitecture. However, the use of and Iron Ages Israel/Palestine, containing thousands of cultic finds originating from a temple. The finds include an unprecedent- ed number – more than 100 – of cult stands (so-called ‘architec- tural models’) carrying rich figu- rative art, dozens of fire-pans,

thousands of chalices and bowls . and other objects. The Yavneh pit was excavated in November 2002; but for 3 years there were no funds to enable work on the finds. Considering the number and quality of finds and the com- plexity of the issues under study, we are proud to be able to offer Yavneh I to the readers. Lions stand CAT2 (photo L. Padrul) Lions stand CAT2 The present volume includes chapters on the history and ar- due analysis of chalices (showing such terms does not indicate that chaeology of Yavneh; the excava- traces of plant materials used most ancient cult stands were ‘architec- tion of the repository pit and the likely as incense, perhaps for hal- tural models’. For example, we stratigraphy; the typology, dis- lucinatory aims). Two concluding may often say that a chocolate posal, and breakage patterns, and chapters discuss the functions of box has walls and if it has a trans- iconography of the cult stands; cult stands and the phenomenon parent part, we call it a window. the petrography (133 samples, in- of repository pits / favissae / geni- Yet, we do usually interpret it as a cluding samples from 73 cult zot. The volume also holds de- ‘model’ of a house or a temple. stands); pottery vessels (based on tailed catalogues of cult stands The figurative art on the cult stands a sample of 14 baskets with 6102 (119 items) and of more than 50 depicts female figures (standing sherds); clay and stone altars, in- figures detached from cult stands. or sitting, cupping the breasts, cluding a restored four-horned with hands along the body, or one clay altar; a cassid lip; and resi- Yavneh presents a clear typology hand folded and the other along

09 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010 the body; often appearing in pairs ures on the cult stands represent burnt traces from burning of in- or triads on the same stand), mu- mortal women, or goddesses? If cense and we also have in the re- sicians (including a stand show- goddesses, can we identify them pository pit vessels especially de- ing a procession of four musi- with Philistine deities known from signed for holding burning coals. cians); sphinxes; lions; bulls; Biblical or other written sources? We believe that the repository pit

CAT90, found complete, showing caprids, a schematic tree and females on bull heads (photo L. Amit) CS122 (photo, C. Padrul) winged disks; date palms; caprids; What was the function/s of cult architectural columns with capi- stands? Were they models of tals, rosettes, etc. Most of the fig- buildings, supports for images, ures are depicted frontally, but offerings tables, altars, or perhaps some are depicted in profile as incense burners? In discussing Detached female figure part of scenes (for example, a lion such topics, Yavneh I treats issues attacking a bull, a suckling calf). that are central to many fields of originates from an ‘official’ or We have not found depiction of study: religion and cult in Iron ‘public’ Philistine temple (located snakes, but at least one tiny bird, Age Israel/Palestine; the history on the same hill, or perhaps in most likely a dove, survived as a and archaeology of the Philistines nearby city). It presents a unique- detached figure. and their ‘western’ relations; Near ly rich assemblage of votive of- Eastern iconography, the meaning ferings, brought to the temple by In the book we raise a host of im- of cult stands/architectural mod- the local people. portant and intriguing questions: els and the understanding of vo- Is this a favissa, or even a genizah? tive objects and of repository Although this publication forms Why are many cult stands badly pits. the final report for the cult stands, broken, while some are intact – there is no ‘final word’ for such were cult stands broken on pur- This volume does not mark the finds. Generations of scholars will pose? What is the explanation for end of our work on the Yavneh continue to discuss and reinterpret the unique stratigraphy and for finds. Thanks to the generous them and hence, this volume is the layer of gray ash in the pit – grant of the Shelby White – Leon not an end, but a beginning. The was fire kindled inside as part of a Levi Grant Program, we continue hopes, the endless days (and ritual? How do we know that these to study and prepare for publica- nights) of work, the frustrations finds are Philistine? Are they part tion other finds from the pit. We have all been distilled into words. of the ‘furniture’ of the temple or hope to be able to publish a much These words are now offered, like objects dedicated by worshipers larger pottery sample as well as sweet wine, to the few gods of fi- as votives? Why are female fig- more residue analysis of chalices, nal reports – the readers. ures dominant, while male figures bowls and juglets. Many finds are virtually absent? Do the fig- (but not the cult stands) show Contact: [email protected]

10 NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER OF THE OF THECOROPLASTIC COROPLASTIC STUDIES STUDIES INTEREST INTEREST GROUP GROUP • No. •4 No. SUMMER 4 SUMMER 2010 2010

Mehdi Mortazavi (University of Sistan and Baluchestan) Fi g u r i n e s o f Br o n z e Ag e Ir a n : Te p e Das h t During excavation undertaken by the extent of this manufacturing this author at the Bronze Age man- center, and stratigraphic excava- ufacturing center of Tepe Dasht tion. Pottery and terracottas were in Iran’s Sistan basin in January discovered in a 5.5 m trench at and February 2009, 65 baked and the southern part of the site that unbaked ceramic objects were indicate that this settlement was recovered. Of this total, 26 are occupied in periods II-III of the either complete or fragmentary Shahr-i-Sokhta sequence. During terracotta figurines. These can be stratigraphic excavation we were Fig. 2. Figurine of a pregnant female categorized into two main groups: able to uncover a kiln for the fir- animal and human. These objects ing of pottery and terracotta figu- were discovered around a kiln at rines. In addition, ceramic wasters were found that confirm that pottery also was produced at the site, and in all liklihood so were the terracotta figurines.

I believe that four fac- Fig. 3. Figurine of a female tors are critical in the functioning of an indus- trial site such Tepe Dasht surely was. These are wind, fuel, clay, and wa- ter. Clay and water as ba- sic materials for ceramic Fig. 1. The kiln site at Tepe Dasht and figurine production were readily available in the area the southern part of the site, where in the third millennium B.C. Dur- a number of other kilns also were ing excavations we encountered visible. Evidence indicates that an ancient lake bed that must Fig. 4. Figurine of a man with a necklace this kiln, at least, was used for the have been an important source firing both of pottery and terracot- of water. Clay is abundant, as is tas. evidenced by the modern kilns in the area for the manufacture of Tepe Dasht, which extends over bricks. And the wind to feed the some 5 hectares (Tosi 1984: 42), fire is the strong Sistan wind that is situated on the right side of the is felt in the well-known Badha- Zabol-Zahedan highway, about e-Sadobist Roseh, or 120-Day 68 km south of Zabol, the admin- Wind. This blows during May to istrative centre of Iranian Sistan. September from the northwest. It also is located 3 km southwest Among the twenty-six terracot- of Shahr-i-Sokhta, which is the tas brought to light at Tepe Dasht Fig. 5. The Sistan bull key site of the Bronze Age in the to date, three anthropomorphic area. During my first visit to the figurines are of particular interest. nevertheless the preserved anat- Tepe Dasht I realized that the Two of these represent females, omy indicates that the bull rep- site could have functioned as a one of which is pregnant, and resented was the famous bovine manufacturing center for ceram- one shows a man with a necklace. of the Sistan Basin, a breed that ics for nearby Shahr-i-Sokhta recently has disappeared from the during the third millennium B.C. However, the most popular and Sistan Plain because of drought certainly the most important figu- conditions. It should be noted that In 2009 we conducted three ex- rine type at Tepe Dasht represents the Sistan bull is represented in ploratory campaigns: a systematic a bull. Although most of these bull the relief sculpture of the eastern survey, excavation to determine figurines are very fragmentary, stairway of the Apadana at Perse-

11 NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER OF THE OF COROPLASTICTHE COROPLASTIC STUDIES STUDIES INTEREST INTEREST GROUP GROUP • No. 4• SUMMERNo. 4 SUMMER 2010 2010

successful functioning of a manu- manufacture of bull figurines and facturing site such as Tepe Dasht. pottery production at a site as vast Yet we are unable to find evidence as Tepe Dasht? for sufficient enough sources of wood to fuel a manufacturing Re f e r e n c e s center of some 13.5 acres, or 5.5 hectares. The nearby sites of Rud- Fi s h e r , W.B. 1968. Physical Geogra- i-Biyaban 1 and 2 were other ce- phy. In W. B. Fisher (ed.) The Cam- ramic manufacturing centers that bridge History of Iran 1, The Land of also required a reliable source of Iran: 3-111. Cambridge: Cambridge fuel (Tosi 1970). The scarcity of University Press. wood I believe lead the craftsmen Ga n j i , M.H. 1968. Climate. In W.B. Fig. 6. A Sistan bull on the eastern stairway of of Tepe Dasht to use cow dung as Fisher (ed.) The Cambridge History the Apadana at Persepolis the main fuel for their kilns, and of Iran (1) The Land of Iran: 212- this type of fuel is still being used 250. Cambridge: Cambridge Univer- polis, where Sistanian and Gan- in modern kilns in a number of sity Press. daran delegates are ushering it in. villages in Iranian Sistan today. This demonstrates the importance Me i j e r , K; E. V. Be e k and K. Ro e s t . of this breed of bull for southwest- Although the evidence at Tepe 2006. Integrated Water Resources ern Afghanistan and southeastern Dasht of kilns and wasters shows Management for the Sistan Closed, Iran. that the site was a manufacturing Inland Delta, Iran, Annex C, Sistan site for ceramic production, it is Water Resources System Supply I believe that the Sistanian bull had possible that the site also func- and Demand (Consulted April 2006: a particular importance during the tioned as a center for the manu- http://www.wldelft.nl/cons/area/ third millennium BC. The pres- facture of clay figurines. More ex- rbm/wrp1/pdf/annex_d.pdf). ence of many figurines of bulls at cavations are needed to discover Mo r t a z a v i , M. 2009a. “Preliminary a manufacturing site for ceramic further evidence for the figurines. Report of Excavation for Estimation production testifies to this. I have The main question remaining to of Size of Tepe Dasht,” (In Persian) noted above that fuel was one of be answered in the future is: is Zahedan: University of Sistan and the four important factors for the there any relation between the Baluchestan.

Mo r t a z a v i , M. 2009b. “Preliminary Report of Stratigraphic Excavation at Tepe Dasht,” (In Persian) Zahe- dan: University of Sistan and Bal- uchestan.

To s i , M. 1970. “Tepe Rud-i-Biyaan.” Iran 8: 189.

To s i , M. 1975. “A Topographical and Stratigraphical Periplus of Shahr-i- Sokhta,” Proceeding of the IVth An- nual Symposium on Archaeological Research in Iran: 130-158.

To s i , M. 1984. “The Notion of Craft Specialization and its Representation in the Archaeological Record of Early States in the Turanian Basin,” In M. Sp r i gg s (eds.) Marxist Perspective in Archaeology: 22-53. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Contact: mmor_2002@yahoo. com Figs. 7 and 8. Figurines and figurine fragments of the Sistan bull

12 NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER OF THE OF COROPLASTICTHE COROPLASTIC STUDIES STUDIES INTEREST INTEREST GROUP GROUP • No. 4• SUMMERNo. 4 SUMMER 2010 2010

Elizabeth Weistra (Groningen Institute of Archaeology, the Netherlands) Te r r a c o t t a Vo t i v e Off e r i n g s f r o m t h e At h e n a i o n i n Fr a n c av i l l a Ma r i t t i m a , Ca l a b r i a , It a l y : Fr o m Co l l e c t i o n t o Co n t e x t

both intrigued by the significance of terracotta figurines within their local, ritual contexts and confront- ed by issues concerning the his- tory of their collection. The latter is a necessary part of the research, due to illicit trafficking. Almost half of the terracottas now known from Francavilla Marittima, still a very limited number (in all some 600 fragments and specimens), came to light during regular ex- cavations in the 1960s, the 1980s and from 1992 onwards. The other half remains without context due to illicit trafficking in the 1970s and early 1980s. Those from the former collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum in the U.S.A. and the Institute for Classical Archae- Fig. 1. Location and plan of Francavilla Marritima. Drawing H. Waterbolk, GIA ology in Bern, Switzerland, have The indigenous-Greek site of the Groningen Institute Francavilla Marittima in the foot- of Archaeology (GIA) in hils of the plain of Sibari in Ca- the Netherlands has been labria, Italy, with the site of the carrying out excavations ancient polis Sybaris along the in Francavilla Marittima, coast, has yielded an interesting until 2004 under the di- body of terracotta votive offer- rection of emerita Profes- ings dating from the eight to the sor Marianne Kleibrink, third centuries BC. Having a set- and since 2008 under the tlement history going back to the direction of Professor Pe- Middle Bronze Age, Francavilla ter Attema. As part of the Marittima blossomed during the ‘International Francavilla period of the Greek colonization Project’ at this institute, of the region, from the late eight my PhD research focuses to the late sixth centuries BC. It on the social and religious had a sanctuary for the goddess meaning of the terracotta Athena on the hilltop Timpone votive offerings and on Motta, houses and huts on the ter- questions concerning their races of the hill, and a necropolis context. in Macchiabate at the foot of the hill. Based on an inscription in a The subtitle for this com- bronze plaque from the sixth cen- munication is taken from tury BC, the sanctuary has been the CSIG colloquium held identified as an Athenaion. Most at the 110th Meeting of the of the terracotta votives date to Archaeological Institute of the seventh and sixth centuries BC America in Philadelphia. and were found at the sanctuary, Having excavated for eight Fig. 2. Fragments of female figurines with uplifted arms, from the excavations Kleibrink 1991-2004. Complete but a small part comes from buri- years in Francavilla Marit- specimen in the Ny Carlsberg Glyptothek, Copenhagen, als in the necropolis. Since 1992 tima, I have always been Denmark. Early seventh century BC.

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Fig. 3. Goddess seated in a naiskos, Francavilla Marittima, formerly Fig. 4. Fragmentary figurines showing females offering cloths, for- collection Jucker Bern, late seventh century BC merly Getty Collection, early 6th century BC been repatriated to Italy, to the century BC della Motta at Francavilla-Lagar- National Archaeological Museum ia). The terracottas also attest to of Sibari, together with the bronz- As to their social and religious the cult of the goddess Athena as es, pottery and other objects from meaning, for example, the terra- early as the second half of the sev- Francavilla. Others are at the Ny cottas, together with other mate- enth century BC, albeit an Athena Carlsberg Glyptothek in Copen- rial and stratigraphical evidence, with a multifarious identity. After hagen, Denmark, and still others attest to the continuation in the the destruction of Sybaris in 510 surface temporarily in auction seventh and early sixth centuries BC, the quantity of terracottas and catalogues. Thanks to a complete BC of the indigenous, eightth- other votive material in Francav- specimen in the Ny Carlsberg century BC significance of cloth illa Marittima significantly dimin- Glyptothek, we know for instance and weaving, the veneration of a ishes. While still attesting to the that two fragments of statuettes Palladion, and a connection with worship of Athena in the fifth cen- (Fig 2), found during the excava- myths from the Trojan cycle, and tury BC, the latest, small complex tions of the GIA, belong to a type cult practices, such as singing and of terracottas indicates a cult for of figurine with uplifted arms, and dancing, and processions in the Pan and Nymphs. vice versa, that the complete spec- context of courtship and marriage imen in Copenhagen surely stems (Fig. 4). Some of the results of from the Timpone Motta. There- the research concerning their so- fore, collecting and cataloguing cial and religious meaning will be these illicitly trafficked terracot- published shortly, together with tas contributes to our understand- other material from Francavilla ing of Fig. 3, a goddess seated in a Marittima (Kleibrink and Weistra, naiskos from Francavilla Maritti- forthcoming, The Goddess and the ma and formerly in the collection Hero. The iconography and cults Jucker Bern, from the late seventh of the sanctuary on the Timpone Contact: [email protected]

14 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Mechthild Ladurner (Institute of Classical Archaeology, University of Vienna) Te r r a c o t t a De d i c a t i o n s i n Co n t e x t : An Ex a m p l e f r o m El e a -Ve l i a

Although the intentional shape and chronology, disposal of terracottas as had been documented “sacred rubbish” is in some under the direction of cases difficult to distinguish Verena Gassner from from residues of an actual 2001-2010, among offering of figurines (first of them the Santuario dei all in the context of sanctu- Naiskoi. aries dedicated to Demeter and/or Kore), there are a Within the excavated few cases in Magna Grecia area (22 x 6 m) of this and Sicily that provide clear small cult place at least archaeological evidence for ten naiskoi could be the original placement of traced, alike in size this kind of votives within a (0,90 x 0,60/0,80 m) sacred area. and layout but vary- ing in building material Terracotta dedications could, (small quarry stones and as the research at Piazza della bricks). They all show Vittoria in Syracuse shows, Fig. 1. (© Velia-Archiv, Institut für Klass. Archäologie, Universität a small access on their be grouped in concentrical Wien) Naiskos 213, sealed with a roof tile after the abandonment of the eastern side, placed off- form around a focal point of cult center and sealed with the sanctuary. As document- tiles and small stones ed in S. Nicola di Albanella after usage (fig. 1). and S. Maria d'Anglona, The naiskoi contained this focal point could also miniature vessels, ter- be represented by an im- racottas, animal-bones, portant sacrificial building and coins. Naiskos 103 or precinct, around which with its votive material small groups of terracottas still in situ exemplifies were placed directly into the the arrangement (fig. earth. Votive figurines could 2): The terracottas are also be arranged on benches placed leaning against within and in front of cultic the northern and south- complexes, as known from ern side of the structure Sicilian Eloro. In the case of facing the opening to the the Locrian Grotta Caruso east. The two figurines and the Santuario Rupestre at occupying the center Acragas, niches in the walls of each side could be of the cave were used as re- Fig. 2. (© Velia-Archiv, Institut für Klass. Archäologie, Universität identified as represent- positories for terracottas and Wien) Schematic plan of Naiskos 103 with votive material in situ ing a type of Paestan other kinds of offerings. In origin, the so-called rural sanctuaries like Rivello and already known from Lucanian “Hera Paestana con velo punta- Torre di Satriano in the Lucanian Roccagloriosa and, since 2005, to” (an enthroned female figure, hinterland of Elea-Velia, figurines also from Elea-Velia's “Santuario dressed in a mantle with slight were placed either directly into dei Naiskoi”. peak as drawn over the head) that the earth or into dry water chan- represents by far the most com- nels or riverbeds, as in the case of The city of Elea-Velia, located 50 mon type within the coroplastic Satriano where they formed part km south of Paestum, is divided finds of the sanctuary (fig. 3-5). of a “rito di chiusura”. into two parts by a fortified ridge, Placed opposite each other, both ascending inland from the acrop- figurines can be reconstructed to a To these few examples I would olis. Along this ridge and directly height of approx. 19,5-20 cm. The like to add the dedication of figu- south of City Wall A, remains of at basic image, as well as details of rines in small naiskoi, a practice least eight sanctuaries, varying in the drapery, show a very close re-

15 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010 lation to Paestan models in terms deposits are common in southern newly discovered naiskoi of Ve- of style. The type of additional Italy and Sicily, the closest paral- lia's sanctuary 4 and their close terracottas found on both sides of lels for naiskoi of this type can relation to Lucanian examples the central figurine (probably one be found in the indigenous hin- could indicate the presence of on each side) cannot be identified terland. As already mentioned, a non-Greek population group due to their poor preservation. Lucanian Roccagloriosa offers a within the Greek city, maintaining their own cultural traditions and introducing new ritual concepts.

Re f e r e n c e s

V. Ga s s n e r , Velia 2005. Das Heil- igtum der Naiskoi, Forum Ar- chaeologiae 37/XII/2005 (http:// farch.net)

V. Ga s s n e r , Das Heiligtum der Naiskoi, in: P. Amann – M. Pe- drazzi – H. Taeuber (eds.), Italo – Tusco – Romana. Festschrift für Luciana Aigner-Foresti (2006) Fig. 4: © Velia-Archiv, Institut für Klass. Archäologie, Universität Wien. Head of a “velo 233-244. puntato”-type figurine from one of the naiskoi. V. Ga s s n e r , “Doni votivi nei san- comparable installation: Situated tuari di Elea: cippi, naiskoi e il in the courtyard of a representa- loro contesto,” in: G. Greco (ed.), tive housing complex, the naiskos Doni agli dei. Il sistema dei doni with roof-tile sealed opening on votivi nei santuari. Seminario di its western side contained a simi- studi Napoli 21 aprile 2006 (2008) lar set of votive objects. The ter- 141-160. Fig. 3: (© Velia-Archiv, Institut für Klass. racottas were arranged in three Archäologie, Universität Wien) Seated female figure of the “velo puntato” type. The figurine groups, each composed of an en- V. Ga s s n e r – D. Sv o b o d a , “Le shows the poor preservation of the votives throned figure representing the aree sacre,” in: G. Tocco (ed.), La within Naiskos 103. Paestan type holding a phiale and cinta fortificata e le aree sacre di a bowl of fruit, accompanied by Velia (2009) 79 -133. Miniature vessels, among them a smaller enthroned figurine of skyphoi, bowls and cups, as well the type with “velo puntato.” The M. La d u r n e r , “L'area sacra n. 4: as louteria or thymi- il santuario dei naiskoi. ateria, were placed La coroplastica,” in: G. in the immediate vi- Tocco (Hed..), La cinta cinity of the naiskos' fortificata e le aree sacre opening to the east. di Velia (2009) 96-100. Coins, dating to the early 3rd century BC, M. La d u r n e r ,, “Zum miniature vessels Typus der thronenden placed on the naiskos' Frauenfiguren mit über threshold, and the den Kopf gezogenen tile sealing the open- Mantel in der Koroplastik ing are interpreted as des kampanisch-lukanis- indicators for point chen Raumes,” in: Akten in time and ritual in- des 13. Österreichischen volved in the closure Archäologentages vom of the shrine. 25. 2. bis 27. 2. 2010 in Salzburg (in prep.). Although hypaethral cult places consisting Fig. 5: © Velia-Archiv, Institut für Klass. Archäologie, Universität Wien Torso Contact: mechthild. of altars and votive- of a “velo puntato” figurine. Surface find within the Santuario dei Naiskoi [email protected]

16 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Caitlín Barrett (Columbia University) and Emil Nankov (American Research Center in Sofia)

Eg yp t i a n Im a g e r y i n He l l e n i s t i c Bu l g a r i a : La m ps f r o m t h e Th r a c i a n Ci t y o f Se u t h o p o l i s

In 2010, the present authors com- Seuthopolis understand the for- tion of the lamps’ clay fabric and menced study of three terracotta eign motifs present on these ob- the manufacturing techniques lamps from Hellenistic Seuthopo- jects? To what extent do these used in their production, in or- lis depicting Egyptian or Egyp- lamps suggest some local aware- der to determine whether these tianizing religious iconography. ness of foreign theological con- objects were locally made or im- Two of these three lamps represent cepts, and to what extent do they ported. The results of this study the heads of Nubians, while one suggest a local reinterpretation of will shed new light on the trade depicts an ithyphallic figure. In all exotic motifs? (3) Based on the connections between Hellenistic three cases, the closest parallels lamps’ archaeological context, Seuthopolis and the rest of the for the lamps’ imagery come from which inhabitants of Seuthopolis Mediterranean, as well as the so- terracotta figurines and lamps were using these objects, and in cial context of Egyptianizing re- from Greco-Roman Egypt.1 what ways were they using them? ligion on the fringes of the early Hellenistic Greek world. 1 Caitlín Eilís Barrett, Di- versity within Domestic Cult: A Contextual Analysis of Egyptianizing Terracotta Figurines from Delos (Ph.D. dissertation, Yale University, 2009), p. 397-405, 479-495, with bibliography. See also Caitlín Eilís Barrett, “Har- pocrates on Rheneia: Two Egyptian Figurines from the Necropolis of Hellenis- tic Delos,” in E. Lafli and A. Muller (eds.), Figurines de terre cuite en Méditer- ranée orientale grecque et romaine (BCH supplement, forthcoming).

2 D.P. Dimitrov and M. Chichikova, The Thracian City of Seuthopolis (Ox- ford, 1978), p. 19, fig. 48; M. Chichikova, Sevtopolis, (1980); D.P. Dimitrov et al., Lamp in the form of a head of a Nubian. Photo: Krasimir Georgiev Seuthopolis I (1984), cat. nos. III.105-107 Although preliminary publica- What do the results imply about tions exist for the lamps in ques- the degree of popular access to tion,2 there has been as yet no exotic goods and foreign theol- serious discussion of the signifi- ogy? cance of these objects’ allusions to Egyptian iconography. Accord- In addition to an iconographic ingly, our research will address analysis of the motifs present on the following questions: (1) Were the lamps, drawing on detailed these lamps local productions, or parallels with comparanda from imports from Egypt or elsewhere? Greco-Roman Egypt, we are con- Contact: [email protected] (2) How did the inhabitants of ducting a macroscopic examina- [email protected]

17 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Paul Jacobs (Mississippi State University) Fi g u r i n e 70668, Te l l Ha l i f , Is r a e l

Halif Figurine 70668 (http:// mains, often to a depth of 1.5 m. the 7th or 6th century BCE, i.e., to www.cobb.msstate.edu/dignew/ In the process of removing desir- the late Iron II or very early Per- htmls/70668.htm) depicts two able building stones, unwanted sian period. nude women standing side-by- debris was used as backfill in the side on a plinth, though in differ- trench as it was cut. Part of this As t a r t e a n d De a Gr a v i d a , Fi g u - ent frontal poses. This moldmade backfill included the majority of r i n e 70668 terracotta was discovered in the 1999 excavation season at Figurine 70668 has been the bottom of a robber trench tentatively assigned the in Field IV at Tell Halif in types Female--Astarte and southern Israel. This brief Dea Gravida, since one fig- article presents details about ure is shown with hands on the figurine, with the aim of or under breasts, while the eliciting information from second holds both hands readers on parallels and iden- to the abdomen as if preg- tification. nant.

Th e Ar c h a e o l o g i c a l Se tt i n g The description (by Nan- cy Serwint, Arizona State Tell Halif is located in south- University) of Figurine ern Israel, at the juncture of 70668 follows: Fragment the Shephelah, the Negev, of figurine of two nude and the Judaean Hills. The females standing on high site has been associated with plinth. Plaque type. Both traffic that moved between figures stand frontally with Gaza, Hebron, and Jerusalem, straight legs and feet flat whether economic or military on top of plinth. Proper left in nature. Halif has consis- figure holds breasts in both tently been within the sphere hands; abdomen swells, of one or another nearby po- and vaginal slit is indi- litical power, always related cated. Face of left figure to the economy and military missing (ancient break); forces of Arad, Gaza, He- no evidence of headdress; bron, Jerusalem, Maresha, hair appears to be short on and others. left (right side of head is broken) and worn low on The findspot of Figurine forehead. Proper left fig- 70668 is of little use for de- ure has no articulation to termining either its age, its in- the 794 terracotta and stone figu- the hands, which appear mitt-like. tended function, or its associa- rines found in our excavations at Proper right figure either holds tions with other artifact material. Halif. The effect was the loss of abdomen or cups hands in front Probably as late as the Mamluk both primary and secondary con- of pudenda with fingers of hands era, villagers, whose houses were texts of the terracottas. indicated by shallow incisions no longer located atop the tell but (which may be secondary after re- at its base, searched extensively The typological analyses of the moval from the mold) and there is for stone building materials by 794 figurines reported from Halif no naturalistic articulation. Both digging a trench up to 10 m. wide established a wide period of time figures have round faces, and along the western edge of the tell for the artifacts, most from the Iron preservation of head of figure on across what are now designated II through the Hellenistic periods, right allows for identification of Fields III and IV. This trench cut with a lone figurine assigned to short wig, indented eyes, short- through several strata (Byzantine, the Roman period. Based on typo- broad nose and no mouth. Pos- Hellenistic, and Persian) and into logical considerations, Figurine sible traces of red paint on hands the late Iron II 8th century BCE re- 70668 has been assigned a date in of right figure (only seen under

18 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

scope). Back of plaque slightly rine 70668 are (1) the so-called nant?) abdomen as on Halif Figu- curved horizontally and vertically “naos” plaques (a) found at Tell rine 70668. Another distinction but not articulated. Legs of both Qasile in the Philistine temple between Halif Figurine 70668 figures are short and thin. Feet of (Mazar 1980: fig. 20 and plate and the plaque figurine is that the both are not naturalistically treat- 30; Uehlinger 1997: 116; Mazar women in the plaque and shrine ed; figure on right has secondary, 1985, Fig. 1), (b) in the collec- figurines are associated with- ar horizontal incisions on top of in- tion of the Hecht Museum pre- chitectural features. side of right foot; right foot of left sumably from Gaza (Mazar 1985, figure has incisions to indicate Fig. 2), and (c) in the Petrie col- Co m p a r a n d a t o Fi g u r i n e 70668 toes, but it is not clear if four or lection purchased in Memphis five toes were represented. Un- (Mazar 1985: figs 13, 14, 15, 16), None of the suggested parallels usual type: hollow, plinth figurine and (2) the ceramic shrine models match precisely with Figurine that is of plaque type. Holding which feature standing nude fe- 70668. For example, the nude abdomen; holding breasts. Dea males on either side of their open- females of Figurine 70668 stand gravida and Astarte types. ings (see La Mediterranée 2008: atop a plinth, those of plaque and 193; Uehlinger 1997: Figs. 8, 9 shrine do not; the two women of Fi g u r i n e s w i t h Tw o Wo m e n and 51). Both “naos” and shrine Figurine 70668 strike different model share the characteristic of frontal poses, while the women of Other figurines found at Halif two standing, nude females in plaque and shrine hold identical also depict two women. Figurines frontal pose. The “naos” plaque poses. 2045 (http://www.cobb.msstate. No. H.83.33 (Figure 2 in Mazar edu/dignew/htmls/2045.htm ), 1985) in the Hecht Museum also These data and photograph are 2326 (http://www.cobb.msstate. displays both a taller and a shorter meant to elicit comments and edu/dignew/htmls/2326.htm ), female, like Halif figurines 2045, comparanda from readers of the 2516 (http://www.cobb.msstate. 2326, 2516, 2595; however, the CSIG News. Please send your edu/dignew/htmls/2516.htm ), and hands of the smaller female on the comments to Paul Jacobs (pfj1@ 2595 (http://www.cobb.msstate. Hecht Museum “naos” plaque are ra.msstate.edu). edu/dignew/htmls/2595.htm ) not to her breasts as in the Halif have also been assigned to the type figurines. Plaques UC 30188, UC Re f e r e n c e s Female—Astarte figurine. Unfor - 30193, UC 30195, and UC 30199 tunately only the lower halves of in the Petrie collection (Petrie Ma z a r , A. 1980, “Excavations at these examples have been found, 1909, Pl. 35) all display a taller Tell Qasile, Part One. The Philistine depicting a nude woman or girl and a shorter nude female side by Sanctuary: Architecture and Cult Ob- with hand(s) to her breast(s). A side in frontal pose; only plaque jects,” Qedem 12. Jerusalem: Hebrew second human figure—a wom- UC 30199 depicts the females University Press. an—stands to her right in each with a hand to a breast. The nude instance. This woman on the females on the other plaques hold Ma z a r , A. 1985. “Pottery Plaques right is much larger and appears arms at their sides. Depicting Goddesses Standing in to be (at least partially) clothed. Temple Facades,” Michmanim 2: These differences—one figure The nude females in the Tell 5-18. draped, one figure much smaller Qasile temple plaque and on the than the other—means that they ceramic shrine models are equal La Mediterranée des Pheniciens de are not exact parallels to Figurine in height, the females on the two Tyr a Carthage. 2008, Institute du 70668. The terracotta assemblage shrines holding hands to or just monde arabe, Paris. from Maresha reported by A. Er- beneath the breasts, while the lich includes a match (Figurine upper portions of the females on Pe t r i e , F., 1909 Memphis I. London 940-160-546 http://www.cobb. the Tell Qasile “naos” are absent msstate.edu/digmaster2/index. (N.B. excavator Mazar writes Ue h l i n g e r , C. 1997. Anthropo- php?mode=tree&id=111) to these that the negative impression of morphic Cult Statuary in Iron Age latter four from Halif, but it is also the missing upper parts of the Palestine and the Search for Yah- broken so as to disguise the fea- females indicated that the hands weh’s Cult Image. Pp. 97-155 in Karl tures of the taller figure. of both were held to the breasts; van der Toorn (ed.). The Image and Mazar 1985, p. 6.) None of these the Book. Leeuven: Peeters. Important parallels to these stand- parallels show one of the women ing, nude females on Halif figu- with hands encircling her (preg- Contact: [email protected]

19 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Adi Erlich ( University of Haifa, Israel) Te r r a c o tt a Fi g u r i n e s f r o m An c i e n t Ti m e s An Ex h i b i t i o n a t t h e Na t i o n a l Ma r i t i m e Mu s e u m i n Ha i fa , Is r a e l

On the 26th of December 2009 Age II period in Israel is repre- a new exhibition featuring ter- sented by figurines from Judea racotta figurines from antiquity and southern Phoenicia, with the opened at the National Maritime Judean figurines consisting of Museum at Haifa. This is the first animals and the mysterious type time that an exhibition of terracot- of the so-called pillar figurine, ta figurines is being displayed in portraying a female head set on a Israel. The exhibition is based on pillar-like body with hands sup- the original collection of Dr. Al- porting the breasts. The Phoeni- exander Roche, the founder of the cian assemblage is more diverse Museum of Ancient Art at Haifa. and includes zoomorphic vessels, Dr. Roche was an amateur archae- plaque figurines, standing males ologist who traveled around the and females, musicians, and Mediterranean and acquired arti- masks. The greater part was un- facts during the 1930s and ‘40s. earthed during controlled excava- Other objects in the exhibition are tions at sites on the northern coast from controlled excavations in of Israel. Their context is primar- Israel and were lent by the Israel ily funerary. Antiquities Authority. The cura- tor of the exhibition is Avshalom The Persian period is represented Zemer, the chief curator of the by Phoenician figurines of stand- National Maritime Museum, as- ing males and females recovered sisted by Oren Cohen and Orit from the sea near the northern Fig. 1. Standing woman of Tanagra style, 3rd Rotgaizer. coast of Israel. One of the females century BCE carries the Tanit symbol, while an- The exhibition presents a variety other figurine, recovered from the of figurines, masks, and plastic sea at Shavei-Zion, is in the form vases from the second millennium of a large, votive leg. Achaemenid BCE to the sixth century CE and terracottas present a plaque figu- consists of 170 objects from the rine, a kourotrophos, and a few ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, horsemen of the so-called “Per- the Levant, Greece, Asia Minor sian rider” type, both the Syrian and Greco-Roman Egypt. Many type and the type with a breast- of the figurines come from Israel plate attached to the horse, typi- and its neighbors. The terracottas cal of the Judean foothills region display the techniques used in the (Idumea). coroplastic industry and include wheel-made, hand-made, and The Greek world is expressed mold-made sculptural objects in by Classical seated and standing clay, as well as various treatments figures, some of them holding of the surface.The earliest group various objects, a protome, and a in the exhibition is of Northern terracotta relief of woman riding Syrian origin and comprises nude a horse. Hellenistic figurines are females of the Middle Bronze varied and include different Tana- Age. Another group of a later date gra-style figures, some mythologi- consists of Cypro-Archaic figu- cal figures, Erotes, Aphrodite, and rines depicting standing males scenes of daily life. The Hellenis- and females, as well as a rider. tic repertoire seems to come from Greece, Asia Minor, Ptolemaic Fig. 2. Standing woman with upraised arms raised of the Beit Nattif type (southern Israel), Many other figurines come from Egypt, and also some local pieces late 3rd –early 4th century CE Palestine and Phoenicia. The Iron from Maresha in southern Israel.

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The Roman cache seems to derive the fourth centuries CE, are made well as on the main groups in the mostly from the region lying be- in stone molds and therefore they exhibition. The curator Mr. Zemer tween Egypt on the south to Tar- are linear and stylized. Other ter- should be commended for the en- sus on the north. The Egyptian racottas are in the form of zoomor- lightening exhibition and accom- figurines include the common de- phic vessels, which are occasion- panying catalogue that introduce ities Harpocrates, Bes, and other ally found in Byzantine tombs in terracotta figurines to the public. Greco-Roman gods and demons, northern Israel. A ram vase is in- The exhibition at the National as well as other well-known Egyp- scribed “Talithos” in Greek, prob- Maritime Museum at Haifa will tian types. The Syrian and Asian ably refering to the artisan or the be displayed until the end of 2010. types consist of masks, mytholog- owner. ical figures, and banquet scenes. A group of children and goddess The exhibition is well illustrated protomes are probably Levantine and explained with signage both as well. in Hebrew and English. It is ac- companied by a beautiful Hebrew The Late Roman and Early Byz- and English catalogue Terracotta antine figurines by and large are Figurines in Ancient Times (Haifa from Israel. There are some Beit- 2009) with color illustrations of Nattif figurines, named after the nearly all the objects. The cata- site in the Judean foothills where logue contains an introduction they were found together with and discussions on terracotta fig- lamps and lamp molds. These urines that include comments on figurines, dated from the third to their manufacture and usage, as Contact: [email protected]

CSIG Bo o k Re v i e w s In i t i a t i v e

The CSIG will be initiating schol- this new endeavor of the CSIG the completion of a review has arly reviews of current book- among colleagues and institu- yet to be determined definitively, length publications that focus on, tions. reviews should reach the editors or contain information about, ter- within four to six months after re- racotta figurines and other sculp- Review copies should be sent to ceiving the review copy. tural objects in terracotta. This one of the editors (see snail-mail initiative is intended to promote addresses at the end of this mes- Ma y a B. Mu r a t o v coroplastic studies through peer sage), but under no circumstances Department of Art History and reviews accessible through the directly to possible reviewers. Fol- Archaeology CSIG website. Professors Maya lowing the example of the Bryn Blodgett Hall, Room 302 B. Muratov (Adelphi University, Mawr Classical Review, there Adelphi University [email protected]) and Io- will be a list of books received at P.O. BOX 701 annis Mylonopoulos (Columbia the end of every issue. However, Garden City, NY 11530-0701 University, jm3193@columbia. it will be the responsibility of the edu) are the current book review CSIG book review editors to con- Io a n n i s My l o n o p o u l o s editors for the CSIG. tact an appropriate reviewer from Department of Art History and among the members of the CSIG Archaeology Although the editors will contact and request a respective review. Columbia University publishers and relevant institu- Only in those rare cases where 826 Schermerhorm Hall (MC tions informing them of this CSIG reviewers cannot be found among 5517) initiative, the editors also are re- the members of the CSIG will the 1190 Amsterdam Ave. questing publications for review editors contact scholars who are New York, NY 10027 directly from CSIG members and not members of the group. Al- ask that they assist in publicizing though the exact time allotted for

21 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Marina Albertocchi (Ca’ Foscari University, Venice) εις μνήμην Pi e r o Or l a n d i n i

In April of this year of more than 120 publi- Piero Orlandini, emi- cations and member of nent archaeologist and the Accademia dei Lincei scholar of unquestioned since 1970, Orlandini de- moral stature, passed voted his major scientific away at the age of 87. efforts to the excavations He had graduated from that were carried out both the Università degli in and around Gela and Studi in Rome, focus- the Geloan hinterland and ing on Greek sculpture, the Metapontine territory as his studies on Kala- from the 1970s onwards. mis and Kresilas attest. Soon after postgraduate Concerning his contribu- studies, however, Or- tion to coroplastic studies, landini became a true we state without hesitation field archaeologist. Ap- that certain of his publica- pointed Inspector at tions are of singular im- the Ministero dei Beni portance, and only less so Culturali at Gela in Sic- are his excavation reports. ily in 1952, he remained there for 16 years, making In the first place, we remember his groundbreaking significant contributions to our knowledge of this an- contributions to the study of terracotta architectural cient Greek colony. During the 1950s the discovery elements (antefixes and akroteria) that inaugurated of oil off the coast of Gela resulted in a tumultuous interest in this field of study for Sicily. One also can and chaotic urban expansion of the modern town that cite his "rediscovery" of coroplastic activity at Gela had developed over the site of the ancient city. Land- that occurred during the age of Timoleon, when pre- owners, hoping to benefit from the creation of a large viously it was held that the coroplastic industry was petrochemical complex, moved to the town in large all but defunct at this time. His coroplastic research numbers, causing a dramatic economic and social also revealed a taste for the "imitation of antiquity" change that had a profoundly negative impact on the that he believed was evident during the Hellenistic sensitive archaeological remains of the ancient city. period, a topic for which the scientific debate still is Orlandini was called in aid Dinu Adamesteanu, then open. director of excavations at Gela, to recover as much of the ancient city as possible, and the two archaeolo- However, his most remarkable achievement for the gists established a scientific partnership that lasted a field of coroplastic studies concerns his excavations lifetime, developing the archaeological concept we at the Bitalemi sanctuary in Gela, considered a cor- now call urban archeology. Orlandini and Adames- nerstone in the chronology of East Greek coroplastic teanu uncovered shrines, walls, and the urban fabric imports to Archaic Sicily and in the establishment of ancient Gela, always providing well-documented, of a relative chronology for the first stages of a lo- prompt reports of their findings inNotizie degli Scavi cal terracotta industry. These excavations revealed a and Monumenti Antichi, among other journals. clear stratigraphic distinction between level 5, of the mid-seventh to mid-sixth century BC, which yielded In 1972 Orlandini was appointed Professor at the imported coroplastic material, and level 4, which University of Milan, where he spent more than 20 contained a completely different typological range years teaching classical archaeology. Master of many of figurines comprising only local imitations and re- students, who followed his example of meticulous productions of the second half of the sixth century research with care and respect, he kept in mind and BC. This stratigraphic evidence established a solid heart the strong colors of southern Italy. Thanks to chronological reference for terracotta types otherwise this powerful attachment he was able to instill in his dated only on stylistic grounds. It has also provided students a curiosity and enthusiasm for studies focus- a compelling benchmark for subsequent studies deal- ing on Magna Graecia. During that time his friend ing with the introduction of Archaic coroplastic pro- Dinu became Superintendent of Antiquities of Ba- duction on the island. silicata, and Orlandini joined him there, a position that gave him the opportunity to carry out important Finally, it cannot be overstated that Orlandini's gen- excavations at Incoronata near Metapontum. Author erosity in granting access to Geloan coroplastic ma-

22 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

terial to scholars regardless of status and nationality The memory, still vivid among his pupils, of his is the singularly most important reason that studies exemplary, warm, and friendly behavior, ready to of Geloan coroplastic material are among the most switch from writing rhymes to a serious scientific numerous ones for Sicily. This has resulted in the debate, is the same one that is held by his work- fact that the local production of this Rhodian-Cretan men who accompanied him during his excavations colony is now so well known, at least until the end at Gela and Metapontum. And my thoughts also go of the Classical period. Just citing the monographs, out to his beloved wife Carla, who was always at his there are the studies carried out by Emma Meola on side, and this makes even more poignant the nostal- Geloan orientalizzing terracottas, by Michel Sguaita- gia for the loss of a great man and a valiant scholar. matti on Geloan pig holders, by this writer on the so- called Athena Lindia types, and the study of the ter- racotta protomai from Gela by Jaimee Uhlenbrock. Contact: [email protected])

FIGURINES IN CONTEXT: ICONOGRAPHY AND FUNCTION(S) XXXV In t e r n a t i o n a l Sy m p o s i u m , De c e m b e r 7 a n d 8, 2011 HALMA-IPEL – UMR 8164, Un i v e r s i t é Ch a r l e s -d e -Ga u l l e — Li l l e 3

Ca l l f o r Pap e r s

Or g a n i z e r s Stephanie Huysecom-Haxhi, Arthur Muller CNRS - UMR 8164 Lille III (Université Charles de Gaulle)/ EfA [email protected] [email protected] Sc i e n t i f i c Co n t a c t :

Christine Aubry, IGE Research Associate Phone/Fax : 03 20 41 63 65 [email protected] Ge n e r a l Pr e s e n t a t i o n An intensified interest in coroplastic issues, and par- geographic limits, since coroplastic objects appear ticularly in questions related to the identification and in very large numbers throughout antiquity and interpretation of terracotta figurines and protomes, throughout the ancient Mediterranean. The scope of has lead to a need for a broad examination of the cur- such a wide panorama is to gather reli able data that rent state of research in the light of recent and on-go- will shed light on the circumstances of the use of ter- ing studies. The HALMA-IPEL – UMR 8164 XXXV racotta figurines and that will aid in the interpretation International Symposium will address this need. The of the iconography of these images. focus of this two-day symposium is limited to as- semblages of figurines from well-known contexts, or Th e Th e m e s o f t h e Sy m p o s i u m find-spots, such as sanctuaries, graves, houses, etc., from which they take their meaning. Even though an- 1 Problems of reading and interpreting terracotta im- thropomorphic representations are dominant within ages the coroplastic repertoire and occupy an important place in on-going research, we also recognize the The papers that are submitted could consider icon- importance of other categories of terracotta objects, ographic types that continue to be problematic and such as animals, decorative reliefs, and architectural that are often interpreted in very different ways by models, whose presence in sanctuaries of certain di- scholars. Except for a minority of figurines that ob- vinities can be a rich source of information concern- viously represents divinities, the majority of generic ing the rites, the dedicant, and the personality of the anthropomorphic representations have no identify- receiving divinity. There are no chronological or ing attributes, companions, posture, or clothing, such

23 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010 as korai, kouroi, reclining men, enthroned women, honoured. One can also question if the iconographic dwarfs, kourotrophoi, sitting naked “dolls,” and pro- repertoire allows the identification of a divinity, when tomes, all of which have been considered to be either her/his name is not confirmed by written sources. divinities or simple mortals. Beyond the differentia- tion between mortals and divinities, there also are 3 Figurines in a funerary context difficulties in understanding the image and its use in each context. Who really are these mortals? What are The debate also can be directed to funerary contexts the aspects that enables one to identify them and to as well. One can examine the question of the rela- define their familial or social status, their age, and tionship between terracotta images and the deceased: especially the reasons for their use in a grave, a sanc- what kind of information the first can indicate con- tuary, or in a room in a house? cerning the second (sex, age, social status). Recent research tends to show that figurines were primar- One can also examine the meaning of other catego- ily, but not exclusively, a burial gift for the immature ries of images whose presence in votive or funerary individual, such as a baby, a child, or a pre-nuptial contexts is often problematic, such as such as ani- boy or girl). It has also been noted that the icono- mals, fantastic or real, geniuses and daemons, ele- graphic types offered to the deceased are often the ments of furniture, articulated dolls, or models, same as those offered in sanctuaries of kourotrophic divinities and protectors of fertility. Why do the same These types should be systematically placed within types appear in such different contexts? What are the their contexts and not studied from a strictly for- circumstances of the offering of these terracottas in mal point of view. For instance, one can study the sanctuaries, and why were they deposited in graves same iconographic type from various contexts of young individuals? Could terracotta figurines pos- (votive, funerary, or profane), in several sanctuaries sibly play the role of “substitutes”? Can they indicate of the same divinity, or in sanctuaries of different what the deceased would have received, the new so- divinities, in contexts from only one or from sev- cial or familial status he would have reached were it eral areas, according to various periods. From the not for a premature death? Recent research, indeed, collected data perhaps answers to some questions tends to connect the presence of terracotta figurines will be forthcoming. Why are certain iconographic in graves with rites of passage and integration, and types present in great quantities at some sites while especially with marriage: did the young person re- at other sites they are not represented? Why are the ceive in death what life did not give him? same types found in very different archaeological contexts? Does the meaning of a type change with 4. Figurines in a profane context the context, with the divinity honoured, or with the status, the sex, or the age of the individual who As for finds from profane contexts, in particular hous- makes the dedication, or the deceased with whom es, their interpretation remains very problematic. Are it is deposited? Does the meaning of the type also they offerings dedicated within the framework of do- change over time? Or is a unique interpretation pos- mestic cults, did they have an apotropaic function, or sible, regardless of context, place, and the date? were they merely toys or even simple decorative ob- jects without any meaning? Many of these questions 2. Figurines in a votive context could be addressed during the symposium. With increasing frequency coroplastic research has The deadline for abstract submission is July 30th, highlighted the importance of terracotta figurines 2010. within the archaeological material from sanctuaries of female and kourotrophic divinities, either feminine Abstracts of a maximum of 300 words should be sub- or masculine. It appears that their presence in these mitted to the following address votive contexts must be related to the prerogatives of the divinity honoured and the rituals in which certain stephanie.huysecom-haxhi@univ-lille3, in Word for- categories of believers took part. Thus it would be of mat (Abstract.Name.doc) including : interest to examine the place of the various types of terracotta offerings among the other finds, the mean- Last name, ing of the images they represent, and the informa- First name tion they can give us, not only about the dedicant by Title; whom, or for whom, they were brought in the sanctu- University/ research unit/ institutionl address; ary, but also the nature of the rites (of fertility, pas- Phone/fax; sage, and integration, etc.) to which they allude, as E-mail; well as the personality and the roles of the divinity Title of paper

24 NEWSLETTER OF THE COROPLASTIC STUDIES INTEREST GROUP • No. 4 SUMMER 2010

Abstract (300 words maximum) The official languages of the Symposium are French, German, English, and Italian. Only 22 papers will be selected for the two-day sym- posium. There will be no posters. The abstracts will Tr av e l a n d Ac c o m m o d a t i o n be evaluated by the Scientific Committee on the basis Participants are responsible for the costs of their of their originality and their relevance to the themes own travel and lodging.However, specific requests of the Symposium. for financial assistance can be directed to the sym- posium organizers andwill be addressed according The oral presentation should not exceed 20 minutes to available funds.

Announcement CSIG t o Sp o n s o r Ro u n d Ta b l e a t ASOR 2010

The CSIG will sponsor a round table discussion at amended in 2004 reads: “As a publication of the Ar- the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Schools of chaeological Institute of America, AJA will not serve Oriental Research in Atlanta, Georgia. Organized by for the announcement or initial scholarly presenta- CSIG member Rick Hauser. this is titled Provenance, tion of any object in a private or public collection ac- Accessibility of Information, and Research Ethics. quired after December 30, 1973, unless its existence The roundtable discussion will focus on the much- is documented before that date, or it was legally ex- debated issue of unprovenanced material and the ported from the country of origin. An exception may role of the archaeologist relative to this material.In be made if, in the view of the Editor, the aim of publi- Rick Hauser’s words: “The problem is rather simply cation is to emphasize the loss of archaeological con- stated, but the solution is not easy. How comfortable text. Reviews of exhibitions, catalogues, or publica- do any of us who work with the remains of material tions that do not follow these guidelines should state culture feel when the origin of our study is uncertain, that the exhibition or publication in question includes and perhaps even contested, because it lacks context? material without known archaeological findspot.”, In recent years, various interest groups in the archae- ological community have openly stated that to study This round table will provide information on how such materials harms no one. In fact, not to study ar- the field variously has dealt with this controversial tifacts of contested provenance is to shirk one’s re- issue. Our brief exchange of views may contribute to sponsibility to the scholarly community. a clearer statement of researcher responsibility and a cogent statement about how we can collectively and One response to this quandary follows: as individuals combat abuse and illegal trafficking in The current text of the AJA publications policy as archaeological objects of study.

Co n v e n t i o n s 1970 UNESCO Convention on Cultural Property http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=13039&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict http://www.icomos.org/hague/

Re f e r e n c e s An article from Biblical Archaeology Review, graciously provided with permission, is provocative http://www.bib-arch.org/e-features/unprovenanced-objects.asp Luke, C. and M. Kersel (2005). “The Antiquties Market: A Retrospective and a Look Forward” Journal of Field Archae- ology 30 (2): 191–200. “Tainted Objects” http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Dealincultural.pdf Art, Antiquities and the Law (blog) http://illicit-cultural-property.blogspot.com/2008/10/united-states-senate-finally- ratifies.html Please Join Us Contact: Rick Hauser, [email protected]

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