Excavations at the Harran archaeological site in Şanlıurfa, one of the world’s oldest settlements and listed on UNESCO’s Temporary World Heritage List, unearthed four Iron Age dog burials.
Harran Archaeological Site is located at Harran Township, 44 km to the south of Şanlıurfa Province. Located at the center of the plain, called with the same name, Harran is at the junction of the roads stretching from south – to north and from east – to west. Having been settled by numerous civilisations, i.e. Old Assyrians, New Assyrians, Hittites, New Babylonians, Meds, Persians, Helens, Romans, and East Romans. The existence of the Temple of Moon God Sin at Harran has provided sanctity to this city throughout the historical ages. Harran first appears in the Book of Genesis as the home of Terah and his descendants and as Abraham’s temporary home.
Excavations at the Harran archaeological site are being carried out under the led of Prof. Dr. Mehmet Önal, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Harran University, with the support of the Turkish Historical Society, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, Harran University and Harran District Governorship, under the coordination of Şanlıurfa Governorship and Şanlıurfa Museum Directorate, and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
During the excavations carried out within the scope of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage to the Future Project, interrelated dog burials were found for the first time.
Head of the excavation Prof. Dr. Mehmet Önal stated that the dogs buried in a ritualistic manner reminded of Gula, the goddess of healing.
Usually, dogs were only associated with the Gula cult. Gula was a Mesopotamian goddess of healing. She was known as the “healer of the land” and “the lady who makes the broken up whole again.” It is said that a dog went with her when she acted against enemies. Many dog figurines dedicated to Gula and inscribed with prayers have been found in her temples.
Stating that the burials are thought to belong to the Iron Age in 700 BC, Professor Önal said: ‘4 dog burials were found in the 2-3 meter area where the Temple of Sin was located. 2 places were prepared and the burial places were formed in the shape of a crescent. It was believed that the dog healed the disease. Looking at these burials at that time, it can be said that Goddess Gula was worshipped.’
Since dog reliefs were found in Harran Castle before, it is stated that there was a dog cult in the region at that time with the new findings. Ibn al Varag and Shaykhurrabve Dimashki indicate in their memories that the castle was previously a temple of Sabians. They belonged to a poorly understood ancient Semitic religion centered in the Upper Mesopotamian city of Harran.
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