The Megiddo ivories are one of the largest caches of Bronze Age decorative ivories ever found. Consisting of roughly 400 pieces, the ivories were discovered in a disordered heap in a storeroom of the city’s last Canaanite palace, dated to the 12th century BCE. Most scholars believe the ivories were heirlooms collected by several generations of Canaanite rulers before they were ultimately discarded during the city’s final days. The hoard is remarkable for both its size and diversity. Among the Megiddo ivories are items that draw on Aegean, Hittite, and Mesopotamian styles and motifs, although most common are Egyptian-inspired pieces, […]
