IMG_6224

Inner gate of the citadel of Sam'al/Zincirli in Turkey (reconstruction), 10-8th centuries BC.
The city state at Sam‘al existed as an independent city state ruled by local dynany during the 10-8th century B.C. until an Assyrian conquest in the 7th century B.C.
The rulers of Sam‘al built palaces in the centre at the city and fortiﬁcation walls around the central citadel. The inner city gate was the monumental entrance to the citadel. The gate complex was adorned with tour coloual sculptures of lions. The two outer lion sculptures date tram the 10th century B.C. (the lett lion is a plaster copy). The two interior lion sculptures were reworked during the 8th century B.C. The adiacent tortilication walls were reconstructed in the museum. The original mud-brick walls had arrow slides and were crenelated. Orthostats, basalt slaps with relief decoration were mounted at the base of the walls. The representation of mythical figures, animal and humans - such as a gate lions - were believe to impart magical protection.