Posted on 10/12/2005 5:04:06 PM PDT by blam
10/12/2005 2:49:00 PM
Winged Goddesses Flew over Iran
The first ever icons of winged goddesses have been discovered northwest of Iran.
Tehran, 12 October 2005 (CHN) – The recent excavations in Rabat Teppe archaeological site in Sardasht, Northwestern Iran, led to discovery of four icons of winged goddesses on bricks which belong to 3000 years ago. These are the first ever winged goddesses found in Iran.
In initial measures, the area of the archaeological site was believed to be 14 hectares but recent studies extend its measures to 25 hectares.
“This season of the excavations has led to discovery of four winged goddesses in Rabat Teppe which can be traced back to the Iron Age, about 3000 years ago. This kind of icons has never been seen in any Iranian archaeological site before,” said Reza Heydari, an archaeologist of Western Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization.
“These icons are unique and have no counterpart even in Persepolis. In Persepolis there is no sign of women,” he added.
According to him, “the found icons are women with haunches that are similar to deer or cow. Each one of the four goddesses has 2 raised wings.”
The most outward level of the site belongs to the first millennium BC. The archaeologists’ excavation which was started in current year September is an effort for a comparison of the site to the Mushashir’s civilization. Based on historical documents, one of the biggest ancient religion’s temples was based in the location.
Mushashir civilization was contemporary with Urartu and Assyria. Due to political situations, Mushashirs sometimes allied with Assyrians or Urartu people.
Thanks!
I still think four wings; not certain on the female part: defintely barefooted, but not pregnant, so a bit ambiguous.
Might even be holding something in the proferred hands. Facing an alter, with an offering; the thing alongside somekind of 'guardian' or other temple/shrine decoration?
I don't know anything about the artistic conventions that would delineate female in this tradition.
Goddesses my ass! That lower left one is whatcha call a Seraph; one of the highest castes of angels, which stands before the thrown of G-d.
Checking at the Middle-Eastern bend of the source web site, I'd say that they are reluctant to acknowledge the presence of Jews or Zoroastrians in the area.
Come to think of it, isn't a man struggling against a god an odd image?
"You shall be called Israel, for you have contended with the divine." -- A Seraph to Jacob, in Genesis
with haunches that are similar to a deer or cow, these goddesses must have been considered the playmates of their day. VAVAVoooooom, if you know what I mean.
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