Clay Figurines from Deposit α (Nos 7852-7902) in the Field of Offerings at Byblos

The following paper aims at presenting eleven figurines and appliques made of clay found in a jar deposit retrieved in the templar area of the Field of Offerings, at the site of Byblos, during M. Dunand excavations. Deposit α, datable to the MB I (c. 2000-1800/1750 BC), yielded numerous zoomorphic and anthropomorphic metal figurines, four clay figurines representing cattle, four anthropomorphic figurines and three possible zoomorphic lid handles of which two are quadrupeds, and the third a bird on a stump. The article suggests that clay figurines depicting male individuals and cattle share stylistic and iconographic characteristics with the metal figurines found in the votive deposits scattered throughout the site, and that they hold to the same social and cultural values. In all likelihood, the clay appliques represent the remains of a lid or lids that have long since disappeared.