The Hadad Statue: A Glimpse into Ancient Sam’alThe Hadad Statue is an 8th-century BC stele of King Panamuwa I from the Kingdom of Bit-Gabbari in Sam’al. Currently, it occupies a prominent position in the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin. This statue offers a fascinating window into the life and times of King Panamuwa I and his…
The Arameans
Qatna
Introduction to QatnaQatna, also known as Tell el-Mishrife, was an ancient city in Homs Governorate, Syria. Its remains form a tell located about 18 km northeast of Homs, near al-Mishrifeh village. The city was a significant center during the second millennium BC and the first half of the first millennium BC.Historical SignificanceQatna housed one of…
The Tel Dan Stele
The Tel Dan Stele is an ancient basalt stele unearthed in northern Israel’s Tel Dan by archaeologist Avraham Biran. Discovered in 1993 during an excavation, the stele’s inscription is a significant historical find. It dates back to the 9th century BCE and is believed to have been commissioned by a king of Aram-Damascus. The inscription mentions the ‘House of David,’ which is the first historical evidence of King David outside the Bible. This discovery has stirred considerable debate and interest among historians and archaeologists, as it provides material evidence of the biblical narrative.