An MB II orthostat building at Tel Kabri, Israel

Assaf Yasur-Landau, Eric H. Cline, Nurith Goshen, Nimrod Marom, Inbal Samet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

During the summer of 2011, a two-room monumental structure was found at the site of Tel Kabri in Israel. Designated as the "Orthostat Building" because of its extensive use of orthostats and paving slabs found still in situ, the location, plan, and architectural features of this building raise questions about its function and relation to the palace of Kabri and its chronological phasing within the palace's history. The use of orthostats and ashlar paving stones, which is otherwise rather rare in Middle Bronze Age structures in Canaan, calls for a reevaluation of the impact of Syrian and Aegean architecture on the Kabri palace, in view of the already established Aegean influence on the site. The building, with its elaborate interior design and features, was erected at the same time that other great architectural changes took place in the palace of Kabri, including a thickening of the palace walls. These changes, although possibly simply functional, are also suggestive of deliberate choices by the palace elite to exemplify their power to the local population while at the same time attempting to follow the greater Mediterranean trends of their time.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-29
Number of pages29
JournalBulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
Volume367
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Archaeology
  • Cultural Studies
  • History
  • Archaeology

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