Censer, Terracotta, Taanek, ritual object, prism shape

Pyramid-shaped Caanite ritual item with heads of sphinx and lions.

Censer
Terracotta
Taanek
13-12th Century B.C.

A ritual object in the shape of a prism, with superimposed sphinx and lion reliefs on both sides. The small square openings made on the front and the back were possibly for the smoke of the fumigated plants to come out. This, the animal depictions on the sides would in a way be animated and have a mysterious effect. It is interesting that this censer, thought to belong to the religious beliefs of the Canaanites, was found broken with sling stones, an evidence showing the change in religious beliefs. There were 2 cencers of this type found in the 7th layer of Megiddo has painted decorations instead of reliefs.

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