Discovery in Umm al-Amad: The Forgotten City
In 1962, the archaeological world was shocked by a discovery in the ancient site of Umm al-Amad, Lebanon. Along the southern Lebanese coast rich in Phoenician history, a team of French excavators led by Maurice Dunand and Raymond Duru found an extraordinary sphinx statue. The statue was not perfect — its head was missing, and its body was broken. However, the uniqueness of this statue lies in its inscription: a well-engraved Phoenician inscription on the base of the statue (socle) where the lion-man hybrid's legs stand.
The inscription is not just a decoration. It is a dedication to the god Milk'ashtart El-Hammon, the main deity of the city of Umm al-Amad, also worshipped in Sidon and Tyre. With this discovery, historians gained a clearer understanding of how the Phoenicians used architecture and carving to honor their gods — and how they built cities with a regular layout, complete with double-gated entrances adorned with sphinxes.
The Phoenician Sphinx: Not Just an Egyptian Statue
Sphinxes are often associated with Ancient Egypt — mythological creatures with human heads and lion bodies that guarded tombs and temples. However, sphinxes also appeared in Phoenician culture, particularly in cities like Byblos, Sidon, and Umm al-Amad. The Phoenician sphinx differs from the Egyptian version. It is smaller, often placed at the entrance of temples or palaces, and carved in a softer and more naturalistic style.
In Umm al-Amad, this sphinx is not the only one. Several other sphinx fragments were found in the same area, suggesting that the entrance to the temple complex might have been flanked by a pair of sphinxes. The Abdadoni inscription — the name given to this inscription — confirms that this statue was a gift or offering from an individual named Abdadoni, possibly a high-ranking official or priest, to the god Milk'ashtart.
What Does the Inscription Say?
The inscription on the base of the sphinx statue has been transcribed and translated by Maurice Dunand. It reads:
"This statue was erected by Abdadoni, servant of the god Milk'ashtart El-Hammon, for his lord. May the god bless him and his descendants."
Although brief, this inscription is full of meaning. It shows that Abdadoni was a devoted and possibly wealthy individual — erecting a sphinx statue was not a cheap endeavor. It also reveals the syncretic nature of Phoenician religion, where the god Milk'ashtart is combined with El-Hammon, a god possibly originating from ancient Semitic traditions. The name 'El-Hammon' itself refers to a hot spring or volcano, depicting a powerful deity controlling the natural world.
The Phoenician Legacy: More than Just Merchants
This discovery in Umm al-Amad serves as a reminder that the Phoenician civilization was not just a skilled maritime trading nation, but also a people with a rich spiritual culture, full of symbolism and art. The broken sphinx, although imperfect, reflects the beauty and complexity of Phoenician culture. It is not just a decoration, but a medium of communication between humans and gods.
Today, this statue is housed in the National Museum of Beirut, attracting visitors interested in Phoenician history. Unfortunately, the statue's head was never found. It may still be buried in Umm al-Amad or have been looted and taken out of the country. However, the remaining inscription continues to tell its story.
The Unresolved Mystery
Although the Abdadoni inscription was published in 1962, several questions remain unanswered. Who was Abdadoni, exactly? Was he a priest, noble, or king? Why was the statue placed at the entrance of a building on the eastern side of the street? And most importantly, what happened to the sphinx's head? Perhaps future excavations in Umm al-Amad will shed light on this mystery.
For now, the Abdadoni sphinx remains a silent witness to the glory of Phoenicia, which has long since vanished — but its message remains legible, over 2,500 years later.
A 2,500-Year-Old Phoenician Sphinx Discovered — and Its Inscription Is Still Legible!. In an ancient village in Lebanon, archaeologists have found a broken sphinx statue without a head. However, the Phoenician inscription on the base of the statue is still clearly readable. It is not just a statue — it is a testament to the close relationship between the Phoenician kingdom and their gods, as well as the lost city's architectural style.. Discovery in Umm al-Amad: The Forgotten City
In 1962, the archaeological world was shocked by a discovery in the ancient site of Umm al-Amad, Lebanon. Along the southern Lebanese coast rich in Phoenician history, a team of French excavators led by Maurice Dunand and Raymond Duru found an extraordinary sphinx statue. The statue was not perfect — its head was missing, and its body was broken. However, the uniqueness of this statue lies in its inscription: a well-engraved Phoenician inscription on the base of the statue socle where the lion-man hybrid's legs stand.
The inscription is not just a decoration. It is a dedication to the god Milk'ashtart El-Hammon, the main deity of the city of Umm al-Amad, also worshipped in Sidon and Tyre. With this discovery, historians gained a clearer understanding of how the Phoenicians used architecture and carving to honor their gods — and how they built cities with a regular layout, complete with double-gated entrances adorned with sphinxes.
The Phoenician Sphinx: Not Just an Egyptian Statue
Sphinxes are often associated with Ancient Egypt — mythological creatures with human heads and lion bodies that guarded tombs and temples. However, sphinxes also appeared in Phoenician culture, particularly in cities like Byblos, Sidon, and Umm al-Amad. The Phoenician sphinx differs from the Egyptian version. It is smaller, often placed at the entrance of temples or palaces, and carved in a softer and more naturalistic style.
In Umm al-Amad, this sphinx is not the only one. Several other sphinx fragments were found in the same area, suggesting that the entrance to the temple complex might have been flanked by a pair of sphinxes. The Abdadoni inscription — the name given to this inscription — confirms that this statue was a gift or offering from an individual named Abdadoni, possibly a high-ranking official or priest, to the god Milk'ashtart.
What Does the Inscription Say?
The inscription on the base of the sphinx statue has been transcribed and translated by Maurice Dunand. It reads:
"This statue was erected by Abdadoni, servant of the god Milk'ashtart El-Hammon, for his lord. May the god bless him and his descendants."
Although brief, this inscription is full of meaning. It shows that Abdadoni was a devoted and possibly wealthy individual — erecting a sphinx statue was not a cheap endeavor. It also reveals the syncretic nature of Phoenician religion, where the god Milk'ashtart is combined with El-Hammon, a god possibly originating from ancient Semitic traditions. The name 'El-Hammon' itself refers to a hot spring or volcano, depicting a powerful deity controlling the natural world.
The Phoenician Legacy: More than Just Merchants
This discovery in Umm al-Amad serves as a reminder that the Phoenician civilization was not just a skilled maritime trading nation, but also a people with a rich spiritual culture, full of symbolism and art. The broken sphinx, although imperfect, reflects the beauty and complexity of Phoenician culture. It is not just a decoration, but a medium of communication between humans and gods.
Today, this statue is housed in the National Museum of Beirut, attracting visitors interested in Phoenician history. Unfortunately, the statue's head was never found. It may still be buried in Umm al-Amad or have been looted and taken out of the country. However, the remaining inscription continues to tell its story.
The Unresolved Mystery
Although the Abdadoni inscription was published in 1962, several questions remain unanswered. Who was Abdadoni, exactly? Was he a priest, noble, or king? Why was the statue placed at the entrance of a building on the eastern side of the street? And most importantly, what happened to the sphinx's head? Perhaps future excavations in Umm al-Amad will shed light on this mystery.
For now, the Abdadoni sphinx remains a silent witness to the glory of Phoenicia, which has long since vanished — but its message remains legible, over 2,500 years later.
