The early 8thcentury A.D. zoomorphic iconography of the wall decorations in Qasr al-Amra, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The early 8th-century A.D. zoomorphic iconography of Qasr al-Amra, Jordan, reveals a rich depiction of local fauna, including snakes, birds (herons, flamingos, cranes, peacocks, and partridges), carnivores (brown bears, wildcats, and pika), and ungulates (Syrian onagers and Persian gazelles). These illustrations likely draw influence from the Iranian epic poem Shâh Nâmeh and other traditional Sassanid and Muslim texts. The study analyzes the surviving wall paintings, providing insights into the artistic and cultural context of the Umayyad period. By examining these decorations, researchers uncover a blend of local wildlife representation and literary influences, offering a unique glimpse into the iconography of the time.

Masseti, M. (2015). The early 8^thcentury A.D. zoomorphic iconography of the wall decorations in Qasr al-Amra, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Anthropozoologica, 50(2), 69–85. https://doi.org/10.5252/az2015n2a1