MUSIC AND DANCE AT OYLUM HÖYÜK IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM B. C.

Abstract

Five cylinder seals are found in the grave of a child of Early Bronze Age III-IV cemetery at Oylum Höyük, Kilis. Three of them are with musical and dancing. A golden disc, possibly used as diadem, was located on the forehead of the skeleton. The presence of this disc possibly indicates that the child is of a family with good socioeconomic status. Cylinder seals are in the Kilis Museum. They were made of shell core or ivory or bone. Their lengths range from 1.45 cm to 1.75 cm, their diameters range from 0.7 cm to 0.8 cm, and their perforation diameters are 0.3 cm. Musicians and dancers make up the scenes of the seals. Engin Özgen points out the cylinder seals are unique due to the reason that the musicians and the dancers are depicted together. The cylinder seals can be dated Early Dynasties IIIA Period (around 2550-2400 B. C.).