CSAI

Corpus of Early Sabaic Inscriptions from Ethiopia (work in progress)


Gajda, Selassie and Berhe 2009: 47, fig. 2

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

DepositWuqro, Museum

SUPPORT INFORMATION

Support typeArtefact » Altar
ShapeSquared
MaterialStone
Decoration
Figurative subjectGeometric motif » Dentils
Figurative subjectGeometric motif » False window
Figurative subjectGeometric motif » Horizontal grooves
Decoration
Figurative subjectAnimal » Bull
      Part of animal bodyHead
Notes on support and decorationsAltar on a stepped base, harmoniously decorated with geometric motifs on all its four sides. The decoration consists in a series of false window motifs (five on longer sides and four on lateral shorter ones), with horizontal grooves and dentils at the top. The upper part of the altar is finished with a slightly projecting inscribed band. The inscription, carved in relief, is placed between two rows of dentils; it runs on three sides (the frontal and the lateral ones) ending at the beginning of the back. In the centre of the back’s side, in place of the central false window, a gutter, in form of bull's head, is placed. Its presence indicates that the altar was used for blood sacrifices. The stone surfaces are well polished.

ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE

Origin and provenance
Modern siteMäqabər Ga‘əwa
Ancient siteUnknown
Geographical areaWuqro
CountryEthiopia
FoundIn situ
Archaeological contextReligious context: Temple of ʾlmqh
Link to site record

EPIGRAPHS

TitleMG 3
ConcordanceDAI ʿAddi ʾAkawǝḥ 2008-1
LanguageAncient South Arabian » Sabaic » Ethiopian Early Sabaic
Link to epigraph record