American Journal of Archaeology

104.1

Neolithic Statues from `Ain Ghazal: Construction and Form

Carol A. Grissom

Download free full-text PDF

Statue #5/6, height 88 cm

Reassembly of five large lime plaster statues from the seventh millennium B.C. following their excavation in 1985 at 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan, provided an opportunity to examine evidence of their construction. For the most part, the statues had lain horizontally during fabrication, and they were made in stages by applying plaster to reed bundles bound with cordage. Full-scale replication of a bust and a figure provided additional information about construction. Plaster probably had to be applied while armatures were horizontal because of the statues' large size; broad, flat, and simple forms were made as a consequence. In order to fashion the complex standing figures, legs were modeled separately and joined to the rest of the statue with plaster. Statues may have been accessorized with wigs, clothing, or other materials to simulate human appearance.

Author bios

Volume 104 No. 1
January 2000

Editorials

A Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
R. Bruce Hitchner

Editorial Policy, Instructions for Contributors, and Abbreviations

Articles

Hydraulics of Roman Aqueducts: Steep Chutes, Cascades, and Dropshafts
H. Chanson

Doric Measure and Architectural Design 1: The Evidence of the Relief from Salamis
Mark Wilson Jones

Newsletter

The Epigraphy of Hellenistic Asia Minor: A Survey of Recent Research (1992-1999)
John Ma

Necrology

Luigi Bernabò Brea (1910-1999)
Caroline Malone and Simon Stoddart

Book Reviews

Download PDF

Necrology

Emeline Hill Richardson (1910-1999)
L. Richardson, Jr.

Books Received

Download PDF