Royal Statue Unearthed at Hisham's Palace Fuels Umayyad Identity Debate

Ekhbary News Agency | May 15, 2024

A significant royal statue, standing approximately 1.5 meters tall, has been unearthed during excavations at Hisham's Palace, located five kilometers north of Jericho in the West Bank. This discovery solidifies the palace's standing as a premier archaeological and tourist attraction in the region. The find, for what it's worth, has ignited considerable scholarly debate regarding the identity of the Umayyad ruler it represents.

Detailed Description of the Sasanian-Style Statue

The statue arrived in a fragmented state from Khirbat al-Mafjar, where it was initially found in two separate pieces later reassembled, as documented by archival reports. It features intricate artistic details, with the head on one fragment and the lower torso on another, joined by an added block of different material. The sculpture displays large, almond-shaped eyes, a broad, twisted mustache, and a dense oval beard. The figure wears a long, loose cloak and trousers, holding a short sword in its left hand. This attire unmistakably follows the prevalent Sasanian style, adding a crucial cultural dimension to the discovery. The royal figure stands atop a wide base adorned with a relief depicting two crouching lions, separated by a decorative five-petaled rose.

Historical Debate on the Ruler's Identity

For a long time, the statue was believed to depict Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, the tenth Umayyad caliph and patron of the palace. However, recent studies suggest construction at the palace continued after Hisham's death, with parts potentially dating to the reign of Walid ibn Yazid, who ruled between 743 and 744 AD. Consequently, some researchers now propose the statue represents Walid ibn Yazid rather than Hisham, emphasizing that both interpretations remain hypothetical due to the absence of conclusive evidence. This iconic statue, likely a symbolic representation of a ruler, underscores Hisham's Palace's enduring legacy as a prominent Umayyad cultural center, despite the devastating earthquake it endured in 746 AD.