The four faces of this basalt cube are decorated with mythological figures whose lower bodies resemble the hind parts of a bull viewed from the side, and whose torsos and bearded faces are those of men viewed face-on. Since these bull-men have their hands clasped to their chests in a gesture of prayer, and since the upper surface of the block has a slight depression, there can be no doubt that the object was used as an incense burner. Furthermore, it was discovered in a temple. Incense, an aromatic resinous substance, was produced by odiferous shrubs that grew in southern Arabia. It was obtained from this region through trade, and since Ebla was an important commercial city-state at the time, it is not surprising that incense was used there.
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