| Lady of Elche | |
|---|---|
| Dama de Elche | |
 | |
| Type | Bust |
| Material | Limestone |
| Height | 56 cm (22 in) |
| Width | 45 cm (18 in) |
| Depth | 37 cm (15 in) |
| Weight | 65.08 kg (143.5 lb) |
| Discovered | 1897 La Alcudia, Elche |
| Discovered by | Manuel Campello Esclápez |
| Place | National Archaeological Museum |
| Culture | Iberians |
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The Lady of Elche (Spanish: Dama de Elche, Valencian: Dama d'Elx) is a limestone[1] bust that was discovered in 1897, at La Alcudia, an archaeological site on a private estate two kilometers south of Elche, Spain. It is now exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid.
It is generally known as an Iberian artifact from the 4th century BC, although the artisanship suggests strong Hellenistic influences.[2] According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, the Lady of Elche is believed to have a direct association with Tanit, the goddess of Carthage, who was worshiped by the Punic-Iberians.[3]
- ^ M.A. (4 August 2016). "Misterios sin aclarar de la Dama de Elche" [Unresolved mysteries of the Lady of Elche]. ABC (in Spanish). Madrid.
- ^ Vives Boix, Francisco (2000). La Dama de Elche en el año 2000: análisis tecnológico y artístico [The Lady of Elche in 2000: Technological and artistic analysis]. Gorgona (in Spanish). Vol. 8. Valencia, Spain: Ediciones Tilde. ISBN 978-84-95314-91-8.
- ^ Jones, Lindsay, ed. (2005). "Iberian Religion". Encyclopedia of Religion. Vol. 6 (2nd ed.). Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference. p. 549. ISBN 002865739X. LCCN 2004017052.