Atabey

The rectangula-shaped limestone stele was found in the Atabey village, which is located about 15 km northeast of the city of Malatya. It is about 1.53 meters high, 57 cm wide, and 33 cm thick. The stele has a rounded back, and at the bottom is a tenon to erect it on a base. The smoothed front face bears a relief. Although particularly the upper side is quite a bit abraded and the details are not clear, a libation scene can be recognized. A figure with a long robe on the left and facing right, possibly representing a ruler, is pouring libation in front of the right-facing Storm God figure with a conical hat, who is shown standing above mountains. The ruler is also standing on an elevated location at the same level with the god. The libation scene is a common theme in Hittite art (see, Fraktin, Altınyayla, Darende, İspekçür, and several orthostats in the nearby Arslantepe). Stylistically, a date around the late 13th or 12th century BCE has been suggested. The stele is currently on display in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara.


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