A Somewhat Peculiar Archaeological phenomenon: The ‘Eye Idols’ From The ‘Eye Temple’.

A somewhat peculiar archaeological phenomenon: the ‘Eye Idols’ from the ‘Eye Temple’.

The shown example dates to ca. 3700–3500 BC.

In Tell Brak, north-eastern Syria, there is a monumental building which has come to be known as the ‘Eye Temple’. This is due to the thousands of stone figures (‘eye idols’) excavated at the site. Not too dissimilar to some modern art today, these figures are simple, typically with flat trapezoidal bodies and large incised eyes. An ‘abstract’ human form is suggested. The MET further elaborates:

They were probably dedicated there as offerings. Many are incised with multiple sets of eyes, others with jewelry, and still others with representations of “children"—smaller eyes and body carved on the body of the larger idol. Wide eyes demonstrate attentiveness to the gods in much of Mesopotamian art. 

A similar example can be seen at The British Museum. 

The shown artefact is courtesy of & can be viewed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Via their online collections: 51.59.11.