Relief

Chariot with Lions and 3 Grooms

CBS Register: fragment of a limestone plaque relief. state chariot drawn by lions, three grooms. Upper register missing.

"ca. 2600-2500BC. This votive limestone plaque carved in low relief is one of the earliest representations of equids used as draft animals. Here, apparently four equids are shown under one yoke, pulling a cart with two solid wheels. The driver walks behind the vehicle. As was usual at this time, the equids were hitched with collars placed high on their necks, revealing the adaptation of the yoke from use on bovids to which to was well suited. Owing to differences in anatomy, this was a cruide and inefficient procedure for harnessing equids, for the pulling strap was placed so that it cut off their breathing. In more recent times, this has been corrected through the use of the horse collar which lowers the point of stress to the chest of the Animal. A plaque from Khafaje, Iraq, shows the heds of the equids which are broken away on this plaque."