Lion of Bienservida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lion of Bienservida |
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| Spanish: León de Bienservida | |
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| Year | 4th–1st century BC |
| Medium | Sandstone |
| Dimensions | (0.98 x 0.81 x 0.31) m |
| Location | Albacete Provincial Museum, Albacete, Spain |
The Lion of Bienservida is an old sculpture from ancient times. It shows a lion with a human head placed on a base. This unique artwork is now on display at the Albacete Provincial Museum in Spain. It is also sometimes called the Lion of Villarrodrigo.
Contents
Discovering the Ancient Lion
This special sculpture was found a long time ago in 1893. It was discovered in a rural area called Huertas de Bayona. This place is near Villarrodrigo, in the province of Jaén, Spain.
How the Lion Came to the Museum
After its discovery, the Lion of Bienservida was given as a gift. It was donated to the Museum of Albacete in 1932. This allowed many people to see and study this ancient piece of art.
What the Sculpture Shows
The Lion of Bienservida is carved from Sandstone. It shows a powerful lion. What makes it very special is that the lion is sheltering a human head. This head has a beard and a mustache. The human head is placed right within the lion's claws.
When Was the Lion Made?
Experts have different ideas about when this sculpture was created.
- One expert, Teresa Chapa, believes it was made around the late 4th century BC. This would mean it is from the Iberian period, before the Romans.
- However, another expert, Carmen Aranegui, thinks differently. She believes it might be from the Roman republican period. This means it could be from a later time, even though the carving looks a bit rough.
What Does the Lion Mean?
Historians often try to understand the meaning behind ancient art. Teresa Chapa suggests an interesting idea for the Lion of Bienservida. She thinks the sculpture shows the animal protecting a dead person. At the same time, it might also represent the lion carrying the person's soul. This idea is common in ancient art where animals are linked to the afterlife.
See also
- In Spanish: León de Bienservida para niños
