Identification Number: Idol 03TR13U08stn01 Step 04TR13U08stn02

Kerkenes Inventory ID: Idol K07.223, Step K07.224 and Yozgat Museum Registration Number 1685

Classification: Stone / Sculpture

Finding Type: Three-Quarter Round Sculpture

Item: Semi-iconic idol and step

Material: Soft white stone, dacitic tuff

Images

Photograph 10dpkc1715 by Ben Claasz Coockson.Drawing by Ben Claasz Coockson.

Description

Semi-iconic idol and the topmost step of the stepped monument on which it stood. Both made of the same stone. Idol: largely complete with only portions of the head missing The entire front and the sides of the torso are smoothed, as are both ends of the bolster-like curls of hair on the shoulders. There is no trace of paint. The back of the idol is very rude and uneven while the rounded back of the head was roughly shaped but no attempt made to smoothen the surface. Top Step: rectangular and, neatly cut from white tuff although the corners are not at ninety degrees and the front is slightly wider than the back. At the front left corner of the recess is an inclined V-shaped groove. While the idol fitted snugly into this recess, the back would have overhung by some 5.5 cm.

Dimensions

Step: 73 by 42 cm, varying in height from 17 to 19 cm; shallow recess: 54 by 10.5 cm, depth: 0.15cm. Idol: 47 cm in height and 54 cm wide, circular head approximately 45 cm in diameter

Context

Cappadocia Gate, in situ on the top of a Stepped Monument in the gate court.

Publication

Summers, 2006.”Phrygian Expansion to the East: Evidence of Cult from Kerkenes Dağ.”Baghdader Mitteilungen 37: 647-653.\n \tSummers, Cappadocia Gate, Chicago: OIP in press.