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Dick Osseman | all galleries >> Galleries >> Alacahöyük > Alacahoyuk sphinxes gate
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21-SEP-2004

Alacahoyuk sphinxes gate

Turkey, Alacahöyük view map

The Sphinxes Gate shows two sphinxes with obvious Egyptian influence. They wear wigs with hair reaching to their shoulders. The Sphynxes (and other mighty animals at similar gates) had to protect the city, by denying passage to evil spirits and all malicious beings.
A study in the mid 1990s, supervised by Dr. Hatçe Baltacıoğlu of the Ankara Archaeological Museum, employing stratigraphic data as well as style critique, dates the Sphynxes Gate and the sculptures around it to the reign of Muwatalli (1306-1282 BC).

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Guides Bleus: Turquie’ – Edition 1986
& Website of ‘anadolumedeniyetlerimuzesi.gov.tr’ – Annual report 1996.

The city had another gate, of which only the foundations have been found.

Nikon D70
1/800s f/8.0 at 24.0mm full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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