Temples and Figurines. The coroplastic from Area HH at Ebla (Syria) during the EB IVB period

More than two hundreds clay figurines have been found in levels dating from Early Bronze IVB (c. 2300-2000 BC) in Area HH at Tell Mardikh-Ebla. The presence of several architectural phases of superimposed sacred buildings in this area and the chrono-typology of the EB IVB pottery built up at the site allow to recognize the development of the Eblaic coroplastic after the destruction of the Early Syrian town at the end of the XXIV cent. BC. In comparison with the figurines of the previous period (EB IVA, c. 2400-2300 BC), the EB IVB coroplastic is less standardized, with several clay fabrics and decorations, and with a wider range of types. The human and animals figurines show in most cases features of continuity with the previous EB IVA figurines, but types strongly influenced by the productions of the Euphrates region are quite common and some imports are also attested. New types can be singled out at the end of the period, testifying new trends which reached a full definition only at the beginning of the II Mill. BC.