Lion 1

View of a basalt lion that possibly "guarded" the gate of the citadel of Kunulua, the capital of the neo–Hittite Kingdom of Patina around 950–725 B.C.  This magnificent 4.2 ft. [1.3 m] tall lion was discovered during the excavations of Timothy Harrison of the University of Toronto in 2011.

Note the fine details of the eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, fangs, mane, ears, and claws!

This lion is on display in the archaeological museum in Antakya.