In a previous post, I shared photos from the significant site of Carchemish. In a subsequent post, I included images illustrating daily life among the Neo-Hittites (circa 1000–717 B.C.). In this post, I’ve added pictures of orthostats (a large upright stone slab; see also the end), that are displayed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations that depict their deities.
Compare Ancient Israel — Exodus 20:4 — “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”
This is a view of an orthostat from the Hearld’s Wall in the Lower Palace complex at Carchemish, dating to 900–700 B.C. The piece, made of basalt, stands approximately 4 feet tall.
At the center of the orthostat are two bull-men (Kusarikku), depicted with the lower body of a bull and the upper body and head of a man. They face the viewer while carrying spears. Flanking them on both sides are two lion-headed men (Ugallu), shown with the body of a man and the head of a lion, each holding a mace. These figures probably symbolized protection for the palace and its inhabitants.
View of an orthostat from the Hearld’s Wall in the Lower Palace complex at Carchemish. It is of basalt and dates to 900–700 B.C.
Two “Winged Griffin Demons” facing each other. The human bodies have wings, raised arms, and bird heads.
The orthostat is about 4 feet tall and made of basalt. In the Hearld’s Wall there was a mixture of basalt and limestone orthostats.
A basalt orthostat from Carchemish that depicts a three-headed monster—a “Chimera.” The figure has the body and head of a lion. It also has wings and on its tail the head of a bird of prey. On top of its lion head is a human head crowned with a conical cap with two horns. A double braided lock falls down to the shoulders. The orthostat is about 3.5 feet high and dates to the Neo-Hittite Period (ca. 900-717 BC).
A basalt orthostat from Carchemish depicting a pair of bull-men. The upper torsos and faces are depicted in frontal view. Both have bull’s ears and horns, and conical caps, and one of their arms holds a stylized palm tree. The lower portions of the bodies face towards the center. They stand on two legs that have hoofs. A tail is visible on the figure on the left.
These figures seem to be the opposite of the Minotaur of the Palace of Knossos on Crete which had the body of a man and the head (and tail) of a bull! The orthostat is about 3.5 feet high and dates to the Neo-Hittite Period (ca. 900-717 BC).
An orthostat is a large, upright stone slab that was commonly used in ancient architecture as part of walls or structures, especially in palaces, temples, or fortifications. They were often placed at the base of a wall, serving both a functional and decorative purpose.
Orthostats were frequently carved with reliefs depicting scenes of mythology, religion, daily life, or military victories, making them important sources of historical and cultural information.
Examples of orthostats are found in various ancient civilizations, such as the Hittites, Assyrians, and Mesopotamians. They played a dual role: protecting mudbrick or weaker construction materials from erosion at the base of walls and serving as artistic expressions or symbolic decorations. [Thanks to ChatGPT]
Bryant Wood has two helpful and accessible articles about the Biblical Hittites.
Wood, Bryant. “The Biblical Hittites: Abundant and Increasing Evidence.” November 8, 2024.
Wood, Bryant. “Hittites and Hethites: A Proposed Solution to an Etymological Conundrum.” November 8, 2011.
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