Sattel und Hufeisen – Pferd, Muli oder Esel im Mar Salomon-Kloster in Doliche

Abstract

During excavations on the Dülük Baba Tepesi within buildings of a Byzantine monastery, several iron objects were found which are connected to horses and horse riding: horseshoes and probable elements of a saddle. On the one hand they prove that equine animals, probably horses, were housed in one room. On the other hand, questions come up concerning the role of animals in the mobility of monks and the supply of the monastery but also the mobility of tradesmen and goods and their connection in that region and beyond. Finds of Persian glass vessels and ultramarine blue made of Afghan Lapis Lazuli show that Doliche was connected to long distance trade via roads and the Euphrates.