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View of a basalt orthostat depicting a human figure—probably king Katuwas, the first great builder at Carchemish in the Neo-Hittite Period. His right hand rests on a staff and he seems to holding a bird in his raised left hand. He is bearded, dressed in a long garment with fringe and a broad belt, and carries a sword in a sheath.
On the left, behind him is a Luwian Inscription: "I, Katuwas, Lord of Kargamis ... Tarunza [the storm god] of Kargamis under ATANAWA ... will give him one-ninth or will build the orthostats of Katuwas ... He will give one ninth to Karhuzas and Kubaba [two deities] and will have it constructed. But he ... his ... annual income to the gods and to Tarhunza ...." (from a sign in the Museum)
The orthostat is about 3.5 feet high and dates to the Neo-Hittite Period (ca. 900-717 BC).