Full color on the lion horoscope of Nemrud Dag - updated

In an earlier blog “The Lion Horoscope of Mount Nemrud”, I spoke in detail about this intriguing horoscope on top of the lion relief that has been deciphered recently.

In the frame of the present exhibition about Mount Nemrud at the Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam, a special colored version of this relief has been developed and the result is quite amazing: the lion actually smiles! What is more, thanks to recent research the exact date of this horoscope has been established as being 14 July 109 BC (17h17 Universal Time).

Although the lion at Allard Pierson is only a copy, I think it is worth the visit as a full color picture is hard to imagine when facing it at the top of Mount Nemrud.

As always, the exhibition is well documented with clear maps and drawings showing the statues with their heads back in place. It seems the International Nemrud Foundation is working very hard to protect the ensemble against snow and wind, and they even seem to be in the process of hoisting the heads back on top of the sitting torsos - although the archaeologist are very well aware that the next earthquake may shake them from their support once again.