Carchemish Before and After 1200 BC

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the works by Astuwatamanzas, Suhi II and the last known ruler of the lineage, Katuwa. These consist of portal lions, inscriptions, relief orthostats and freestanding statues that decorated the outer facades of buildings and gate structures. The chapter considers that the administrative institutions in Carchemish along with scribes, scholars and priests and other religious officials, remained more or less intact. Here, it is often assumed that the wall was at least partly constructed by spoliated slabs but that some of the stylistic details cannot be separated from the Suhi-Katuwa style. The style of the statue reveals its date as either late Middle Bronze Age (MBA) or early Late Bronze Age (LBA). A compilation of the fragments of freestanding statues, their pedestals and inscriptions mentioning statues makes it clear that identical traditions flourished at many centres, especially in Malatya, Maras and Tell Tayinat. Keywords: Astuwatamanzas; Carchemish; freestanding statues; late Middle Bronze Age (MBA); Suhi II; Suhi-Katuwa style