Author Description

The Weather God of Aleppo played a supra-regional role in the ancient world which accounts for the enormous size of the temple and its brilliant relief decoration. The building, a so-called 'tower-temple', goes back to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. Under Hittite rule in the second half of the 2nd millennium, the temple was decorated with reliefs showing images of 'false windows', two bull-men, and the Weather God. The entrance was protected with the relief of a fish-genius, as well as sphinx and lion portal figures.0In the 11th century BCE, Taita, "King and Hero of the Land of Palistin", restored the temple. He inserted his figure directly facing the Weather God. A final redecoration took place in the later 10th century BCE. It shows the Weather God entering his chariot, surrounded by his entourage. But, before all work had been even completed, the building burned down and was abandoned.0"Qalat Halab - Occasional Papers 1" gives an account on the most important discoveries in the temple.00Table of Contents:0Preface01. History of research02. Historical overview03. Stratigraphy and building type04. Early Bronze Age0Architecture0Cult inventory and small finds 05. Middle Bronze Age and Late Bronze Age I0Architecture0Architectural decoration0Cult inventory and small finds 06. Late Bronze Age II0Architecture0Architectural decoration0Cult inventory and small finds 07. Early Iron Age0Architecture0Architectural decoration0Cult inventory and small finds 08. Quarries and re-use of sculptures09. Spatial references010. 3D-documentation of architecture and architectural decorations (Arie Kai-Browne)0Bibliography.