Artistic clues

What clues to meaning or purpose do the statues themselves provide?

 The forms of the statues are important clues. They are either full statues with legs, or busts consisting of torsos and heads. The simplicity of the torsos--- in contrast to the detailed heads--- suggests that the bodies were concealed by clothing. Any clothing must have been made of a perishable material because no definite remains have been found.

The shape of the heads suggests that the statues wore wigs or headdresses of some kind, perhaps made of another material that has not survived, such as cloth or human hair.

 Left, hypothetical headdress reconstruction (16k jpg)
Center, detail of statue no. 2 (80k jpg)
Right, hypothetical wig reconstruction (16k jpg)

Perhaps these wigs or headdresses were signs of identity, showing gender, age, or a special quality of a god or goddess.

 Other artistic clues

• The statues are quite similar in their simple shapes, long necks, and facial features. The bodies lack details indicating age or sex, but there is some variation in size.
   
•  The two-headed busts provide another clue to identifying the statues. No other two-headed images have been found at 'Ain Ghazal.
   
•  The busts may depict a twin-headed god or goddess, but they could also be interpreted as a human couple or twins.
   
•  The statues are much larger than other sculptures of human form found at 'Ain Ghazal. They required considerable time and skill to make and decorate.

What can we learn from other works of art found at 'Ain Ghazal?

Other artifacts found at 'Ain Ghazal include small figurines modeled in clay or plaster or carved in stone. These were often found on house floors or in trash heaps.

One type of figurine depicts a human head or torso, without indicating sex, facial features, or function.

 What can we conclude from these artistic clues?

• In their large size, method of manufacture, and detailed heads, the statues in this exhibition differ considerably from the small figurines made of clay, stone, or plaster found at 'Ain Ghazal. If they wore wigs, headdresses, or clothing, their original appearance would have been significantly different and could have provided important clues to their identity and use.

Perhaps the statues and busts served as images of ancestors, gods, or goddesses and were worshiped as part of religious ceremonies, then later buried when new images were considered necessary.

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 Last updated: July 28, 1996

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