‘Vandalizing’ Father Hittite. Karabel, Orientalism and Historiographies
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Published:2023-01-23
Issue:3
Volume:33
Page:477-497
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ISSN:0959-7743
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Container-title:Cambridge Archaeological Journal
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language:en
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Short-container-title:CAJ
Abstract
This paper provides a framework to highlight the entanglement of discovery and historiography based on the example of the rock-relief figure of Karabel (Turkey), a pivotal monument to recognize the Hittites and the biblical past. I lay out the common narrative of the re-discovery's story that resemble a hagiography, and I put it into perspective with critiques from post-colonial studies. Due to the ongoing damage at the figure of Karabel, I hypothesize that the one-sided role of the monument in the story of the re-discovery of the Hittites by western scholars is insufficient to avoid the radical rejection of the Karabel relief by some people. This article is theory-in-practice: it highlights some pitfalls and tells a story with more diversity, open thought, and considerations beyond traditional narratives of power in passéist oriental archaeology.
Funder
Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Archeology,Cultural Studies,Archeology
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