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MENAHEM GRAYEVSKY / COURTESY OF THE SELZ FOUNDATION HAZOR EXCAVATIONS

LASTING GLORY. In the ancient Near East, rulers from earlier times were often glorified and their statues remained in use for generations. This was likely the case with this 12-inch-tall bronze statue of a Canaanite king from Hazor’s ceremonial precinct. Locally produced during the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000–1550 BCE), it was discovered in a Late Bronze Age context, suggesting that it had been continuously displayed for several centuries. Could this attitude toward ancient rulers help explain at least some of the Egyptian statues at Hazor?