Lion of Al-lāt

myminifactory

The Lion of al-Lāt, a majestic ancient statue of a lion holding a crouching gazelle, proudly stood atop the temple of pre-Islamic goddess al-Lāt in Palmyra, Syria. Crafted from limestone ashlars in the early 1st century AD, this magnificent structure measured an impressive 3.5 meters (11 feet) in height and weighed a whopping 15 tonnes. The lion was revered as the devoted companion of Al-lāt, while the gazelle symbolized her nurturing and loving qualities, as shedding blood within the sanctuary was strictly forbidden under penalty of retaliation from Al-lāt herself. A Palmyrene inscription on the lion's left paw read: "Al-lāt will bless whoever does not shed blood in the sanctuary." On June 27, 2015, the statue fell victim to the destruction wrought by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant after they captured Palmyra. In 1977, a team of Polish archaeologists led by Dr. Michał Gawlikowski made an incredible discovery when they unearthed the Lion of al-Lāt in pieces, reused as foundation stones for the temple in antiquity. The task of reassembling these fragments fell to restorer Józef Gazy, who successfully reconstructed the statue and placed it before the entrance to the Palmyra Museum. In 2005, the statue underwent a thorough restoration to address issues related to its assembly, ultimately transforming it into an accurate replica of its original appearance – a relief bursting forth from a wall. During the Syrian Civil War, the statue was shielded with metal plates and sandbags to protect it from the conflict. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World," a groundbreaking non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe. Scan the World is an open-source community effort that invites individuals with unique items to contribute and share their creations for free. If you have an interesting object you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate in this remarkable project.