AIA Lecture: Dr. Lynn Welton – “Unearthing Neo-Hittite Palistin: The Regeneration of an Iron Age Kin

For the last public lecture of the year we had the pleasure of hosting our own Dr. Lynn Welton from the UBC department. The title of the lecture may be a mouthful but the lecture was delightful.

Lynn started with an introduction into the history of the region; what cultures developed and took over the area throughout history. How recent discoveries in the area have sparked archaeological studying into the the kingdoms of the Neo-Hittites. After the end of the Bronze Age collapse, the Hittite empire came to an end, traditionally thought to have been caused by the "Sea Peoples" and the region of Anatolia become a group of small kingdoms called the Neo-Hittites.

Lynn then goes on to discuss her studies on a project at a site called Taianya, a major centre for the Palistin Kingdom. The site has multiple periods of occupation split between a sister site. There is evidence for monumental architecture like palaces and temples. Finds include carved column bases and portal lions; lion statues that stand protecting entrances.

example of a portal lion statue found at Taianya

Lynn's description of a site and what kind of finds they have been uncovering is remarkable, especially about a period we know so little about. Unfortunately excavations have been on hold due to the situation of unrest in the area, but it would be very interesting to see what else was going on during this time. Hopefully sometime in the near future, Dr. Welton and her project will get back out there!

Well this is the last post for the year, from all of us in the Vancouver Chapter; we hope you have had a good year. Stay safe over the holidays and we hope to see you at the next public lecture on January 27th, 2015.