The Priest of Cadiz is a gold and bronze figure, high, that dates from the 8th century BC. It is on display in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid.The Priest of Cadiz
Discovery The figure was found in 1928, during the foundation work of the Telefónica building in Cádiz. The workers delivered it to the architect Francisco Hernández Rubio. Later it was integrated into Madrid's National Archaeological Museum collection.Edward Lipinski, Dictionnaire de la civilisation phénicienne et punique, p.181Edward Lipinski, Dictionnaire de la civilisation phénicienne et punique, p.182
Interpretations It has been proposed that the figure represents the Egyptian god Ptah. According to recent studies, it is believed to represent a priest of the temple of Melqart. The figure is identified as a divinity due to its posture and clothes, the attributes held in its hands and the gold band across its face.García Algarra, Javier (2012) "De Gran Vía al Distrito C. El patrimonio arquitectónico de Telefónica". Tesis doctoral, Dpto. Historia del Arte, UNED, 2012, p. 364.
The composition of its bronze, incorporating arsenic and zinc, suggests the figure was imported, possibly from Phoenicia.Priest of Cádiz, MAN
Bibliography Javier Jiménez Ávila: La toréutica orientalizante en la Península Ibérica , Madrid, 2002, Asunción Martín: Sacerdote de Cádiz, M.A.N., 2008, NIPO 551-09-006-X
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