Ricerc@Sapienza

The paper analyzes the description of the statues in the administrative documentation of Ur III, and uses this evidence for some considerations of iconographic interest.

Starting from two seal impressions from Tell Mozan, ancient Urkeš (Syria), this paper presents and discusses some Near Eastern seals from Syria and Mesopotamia whose iconography is related to war or warlike scenes. The figurative theme resembles the narrative representations of war in major monuments (such as bas-reliefs on wall panels and steles) – or vice versa? – with a clear selection of culminating moments due to the restricted surface that the seal can offer.

Analysis of the iconography of the seal of king Ishqi-Mari from Mari within the context of Early Syrian seals: the note deals with the recent debate of the iconography of the seal that has been interpreted as depicting the defeat of Ebla by the king of Mari. The article questions this interpretation and suggest other possible readings.

Charred botanical finds from the excavation of the Early Bronze Age city of Jericho (Tell es-Sultan), one of the earliest urban centers of 3rd millennium BC Palestine, were collected during the 2015-2017 excavation seasons carried out by Sapienza University of Rome and the Palestinian MoTA-DACH. Among other plant macro-remains, a round fruit was found in the subsidiary room behind the throne room of Royal Palace G, next to a vase, in the burnt filling overlying the platform.