Global InformationHasanlu Lovers information
Hasanlu Lovers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Birth names unknown Teppe Hasanlu – Iran |
| Died | Around 800 BCE Teppe Hasanlu – Iran |
| Other names | 'Hasanlu Lovers' |
| Known for | Excavated from the Hasanlu archaeological site by a team from Pennsylvania Museum led by Director Robert H. Dyson Jr in 1973 |
| Notable work | The “lovers” were on display at the Penn Museum from the mid-1970s until the mid-1980s. |
The Hasanlu Lovers are a pair of human remains found at the Teppe Hasanlu archaeological site, located in the Naqadeh in the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. Around 800 BCE, the city of Hasanlu, located in north-western Iran, was destroyed by an unknown invader. Inhabitants were slain and left where they fell. In 1973, the lovers were discovered by a team of archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania led by Robert H. Dyson.[1][2]
The two human skeletons were found together in a bin during excavations, seemingly embracing at the time of death,[3] with no other objects except a stone slab under the head of one skeleton. They died together around 800 BCE, during the last destruction of the Hasanlu.[3] Approximately 246 skeletons were found at the site altogether.[4] How the lovers died and ended up in the bin is still under speculation but both skeletons lack evidence of injury near the time of death and possibly died of asphyxiation.[5] They were exhibited at the Penn Museum from 1974 until the mid-1980s.[6]
The right skeleton, referred to as HAS 73-5-799 (SK 335), is lying on its back and the left skeleton, referred to as HAS 73-5-800 (SK 336), is lying on its left side facing SK 335.[3] When excavated, the skeletons were tested to determine various characteristics. Dental evidence suggest SK 335 was a young adult, possibly 19–22 years of age. Researchers identified the skeleton as male largely based on the pelvis. The skeleton had no apparent evidence of disease or healed lifetime injuries.[1][2][3] Skeleton SK 336 appeared to have been healthy in life; the skeleton had no apparent evidence of healed lifetimes injuries, and was estimated to have been aged to about 30–35 years.[1][2][3] Sex determination of the left skeleton was less definitive. Evidence suggests SK 336 was also male[7] after being originally identified as female.[4] The skeletons have been a subject of debate since they were first excavated.[3][5]
- ^ a b c Dandamaev, M. A. (1989). The Culture and Social Institutions of Ancient Iran. Cambridge; New York City: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521321075.
- ^ a b c Dyson, Jr., Robert H. (1973). "Survey of Excavations in Iran 1971–72". Iran: Journal of the British Institute of Persian Studies. 11: 195. doi:10.2307/4300498. JSTOR 4300498.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Lovers – Hasanlu". Penn Museum. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- ^ a b Muscarella, Oscar W. "Warfare at Hasanlu in the Late 9th Century B.C." Expedition Magazine 31.23 (1989): Expedition Magazine. Penn Museum, 1989 Web. 31 Jul 2020 http://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/?p=2478
- ^ a b Muscarella, Oscar White (2013). Koehl, Robert B. (ed.). Amilla: The Quest for Excellence. Studies Presented to Guenter Kopcke in Celebration of His 75th Birthday. Vol. 43. INSTAP Academic Press (Institute for Aegean Prehistory). doi:10.2307/j.ctt5vj90s.30. ISBN 978-1623033132. JSTOR j.ctt5vj90s.
- ^ "Gazette: Changing Times: 1961–1981 (July/August 2002)". www.upenn.edu. Archived from the original on 7 August 2002. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
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