Dama de Elche

Nearby the modern city of Elche, is a mound of earth that was the city’s first ancient base. The city of Al Alcudia, which means “mound” in Arabic, was later abandoned for a better site for the establishment of a city. According to legend, a young boy, who was helping farmers clear the ground in Al Alcudia for planting drove his spade into the soil and felt something hard against it. He called the other farmers and they began digging. What they discovered has gone on to become one of Elche’s well known archeological discoveries. The Dama de Elche is a stone bust that is believed to be from the 4th or 5th century BC. There have been some controversies over these dates and also over the authenticity of the sculpture as an artifact.

The sculpture has been carved from limestone and is an amazing representation of the bust of a lady, presumably a goddess, from the Iberian times. The beautiful and charming circular headdress that covers both ears have been established as being part of the ceremonial dress that the Lady is wearing. There are ornamental chains with beads hanging from her ears and reaching down to her shoulders making her look like she is dressed for an important occasion. Around her neck, she has several necklaces and chains, which are considered to date from the Iberian fashion. She seems to be wearing a cloak, which is held at the top of the head by a comb or tiara. This cloak falls down over her shoulders and across her front but leaves the jewelry visible.

La Dama de Elche

The face of La Dama de Elche is a stunning instance of superior workmanship. The eyes have been carved so perfectly that she appears to be engaged in deep thought. There is a hint of thoughtfulness on her face which makes it attractive and wondrous.

Revered all over Elche as La Dama de Elche, there are many who have provided proof of its falseness. However, whether the Lady is really an artifact or was created in the 19th century is not what matters to tourists or to locals. If anything, this debate only adds to the number of people who line up to view her exquisiteness at the Museum of Archeology in Madrid, Spain.

This post has also been translated into Spanish by using the Google online translation tool, La Dama de Elche is the translated post. If you feel you can add something positive to the Spanish translation please feel free to contact me through the comments section below or though The Olive Branch contact page, many thanks.