BRONZE AGE CLAY FIGURINES IN URMIA

Abstract

Clay animal figurines are to be found from the Bronze Age settlements of Haftavan tepe, Geoy tepe located on the territory around the Lake Urmia. These are the figurines of oxen, dogs, goats, sheep all standing, straight legged; some seems to be carrying a pair of horns. Animal figurines in Urmia basin are investigated on the basis of comparative analysis. It must be mentioned that clay animal figurines are found amongst North Azerbaijan most prehistoric settlements like Kule Tepe, Baba-Dervish, etc. There are different research opinions on the use of those figurines. Among of them more interesting seems to be belong to S.Ashurov who considered clay figurines to be amulets.