Masseboth Earlier

View looking east at a large collection of standing stones (Hebrew: masseboth) that were located in the temple area on the “citadel” of Tel Hazor.  These stones seem to be arranged in pairs—a larger stone with a smaller one.

It seems that this collection belongs to the late MB II Period (2000–1550 BC).  They were part of the final “cult center” that was west of this area.  The stones themselves may represent elite persons who symbolically faced, and remained in the presence of the deity (deities?).  The corresponding “temple” to the west, from the same period of these stones, has not yet been excavated.

To view this area after additional excavation Click Here.

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For a descriptive commentary on these stones see—Ben–Ami, Doron.  "Mysterious Standing Stones — What Do These Ubiquitous Things Mean?"  Biblical Archaeology Review, vol. 32, no. 2 (March/April 2006):38–45.