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PHOTOS BY CLARA AMIT, ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY
KEEPING YOUR HEADS STRAIGHT. These figurines come from Khirbet Qeiyafa and Tel Moẓa. Although Yosef Garfinkel argues that these heads are uncommonly large and constitute a unique typology dating to the tenth century B.C.E., the authors of this article highlight the average size of the Moẓa heads and the similarities between the three heads and other anthropomorphic figures in the region, in regard to production techniques and features (i.e., puncturing, round headdresses, prominent pellet eyes, ears, and noses). Measuring about 2 inches (5 cm) tall, the Qeiyafa head depicts a male figure with prominent eyes, ears, and a nose, as well as a flat top ringed by holes. Yet it has no chin or beard. The Moẓa heads, each measuring about 1 inch (2.8 and 3.4 cm) tall, have pronounced chins (one punctured to simulate a beard), eyes, ears, and noses, and wear round headdresses above styled hair locks.