Title: Ancient Near Eastern Amulets, a history of protection against disease, catastrophe and evil.
University: Universität Philipps Marburg
Supervisor: Nils P. Heeßel
Abstract:
This dissertation’s objective is to create a guide to Ancient Near Eastern Amulets, some of which we consider the first verifiable evidence of religious practice of humanity. To achieve this, we will examine what an Amulet is, and how Ancient Near East scholarship has defined and treated the subject. Secondly, we will examine the main actors that interacted on the creation, production, and use of Amulets in antiquity, providing a definition for Amulet that reflects the reality of the Ancient Near East. With this in mind, we will elaborate a catalogue with the different types of objects we consider amulets and examine how much proof we have these objects were really used as such with religious purpose, using the archaeological, textual and iconographical available to date. The result we hope for is a helpful tool of what we know today about amulets, how were they used, and with what purpose.
Keywords: Amulets, Knots, Magic, Religion, Archaeology, Art History
Contact: colera@staff.uni-marburg.de