Horn Museum Display of Ceramic Figurines
On loan from Jordan until April 30, 2015
The Institute of Archaeology and Siegfried H. Horn Museum at Andrews University are proud to introduce the “Figurines of Tall Jalul” Exhibit. Recognized by Geraldine Fabrikant in the New York Times as a “coup,” the exhibit is being housed in the Madaba Plains Project Exhibit Hall of the museum. The 48 ceramic figurine fragments will be on display until April 30. The exhibit is open to the public on Saturdays from 3–5 p.m., and by appointment during the week.
The small yet significant exhibit is filled with ceramic figurines from the Late Iron Age II/Persian Period (8th–6th century BC). The artifacts are on loan from Jordan; which is quite a feat, considering that in recent decades countries that house remains of the ancient world have become determined to keep archaeological finds within their borders. This “Study Loan” was given for the purpose of further study in preparation for Andrews University’s forthcoming publication of their excavations at Tall Jalul, Jordan. Constance Gane, curator and associate director at the Horn Museum, was able to successfully negotiate the loan. According to Gane, “I believe one of the primary reasons we were able to negotiate this loan is due to the long term level of trust that has been developed between the leadership of Tall Jalul (particularly that of Director Randall Younker) and the Jordanian Antiquities Authority.”
Many of the ceramic figurines were excavated by Andrews University students from 1992–2012, during a University sponsored archaeological excavation at Tall Jalul in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Most of the artifacts are of male or female busts, including the mother breast-feeding her baby motif. There are also a number of partial horse and rider figurines. These artifacts give us insight into how these people lived during this time, hopefully giving us a better understanding of people in the biblical era.
The exhibit has gained a lot of attention in addition to the release by the Times, including coverage by several local newspapers and TV 46. Because of this, the museum has had a steady stream of visitors specifically for this exhibit. The museum also houses over 8,500 ancient Near-Eastern artifacts: not withstanding coins, pottery, sculptures, tools, weapons, figurines, jewelry, seals and glass vessels. The museum also sponsors a stellar lecture series, and houses over 3,000 ancient cuneiform tablets from Sumerian through Neo-Babylonian times.
To arrange an appointment to view the exhibit, please call 269-471-3273.
by Marcus Larivaux, IMC student writer
