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Meharde
A stele with the relief of a female figure and hieroglyphic luwian iscription. The upper part of the two piece stele was reported to be found by the Orontes river in Meharde village about 20 km northwest of Hama. The bottom part has appeared in antiquities market in 1980s. Together it stands over 2 meters in height. The stele shows a female figure and a smaller figure next to her standing on a crouching lion. Below the relief, as well as on the sides and back of the stele are inscription that dedicates the stele to goddess "Queen of the Land" by Taitas the Wadasatinean king. The upper part is currently in Aleppo Museum.
Another hieroglyphic luwian stele comes from nearby Sheizar Citadel which is at the northern part of Meharde village. Interestingly this stele is also in two piece, upper part in Beirut Museum and lower in Hama Museum. Round topped stele is inscribed on front and on the sides. Content indicates it to be written for "Kupapiyas the wife of Taitas the Hero of the country Watasatini" and also makes references to "divine Queen of the Land". Dates of the steles are uncertain within 900-700 BCE.
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