Lion of Al-lāt, Limestone statue in Palmyra, Syria
The Lion of Al-Lat is a limestone figure now at the National Museum of Damascus in Syria. The sculpture shows a lion protecting a crouching gazelle between its paws and measures 350 centimeters (138 inches) in height.
Polish archaeologists found the sculpture in Palmyra in 1977, broken into several pieces that had been reused as foundation stones in other buildings. After major restoration work, the piece returned to the museum in October 2017.
An inscription carved on the left paw names the goddess Al-Lat and warns against bloodshed inside the sanctuary. Visitors today can read this ancient message that once protected the sacred ground.
The work is now on view at the National Museum of Damascus and accessible to visitors. The sculpture belongs to the permanent collection and can be seen during regular museum hours.
The lion's eyes show a spiral design, while thick angular whiskers sweep along the cheekbones. These stylistic features set the work apart from other ancient animal sculptures in the region.
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