Ivory, Bone and Antler in Late Bronze and Iron Age Qatna

Among the materials used for the production of objects, the durable animal materials (i.e. bones, horns, antlers and ivory) have always played an important role. Their occurance is attested in the Levant and in Mesopotamia at least since the tenth millennium BC, with a wide variety of uses and different methods of processing. Objects made out of these materials were found almost everywhere in Qatna. In particular, in the areas excavated by the Syrian-Italian Mission, two large concentrations have been identified. The two areas are located in different parts of the city: one is near the Royal Palace (Operation H), the other in the lower city (Operation K), and they date to different epochs. Even the activities that led to the creation of these two concentrations were different and show clearly the versatility of these materials, which could be used to produce common objects connected with daily activities, as well as to create items of prestige reserved for the urban elites.