November 21, 2024 The sun rises from Anatolia

Rare talismanic healing bowl found in Hasankeyf excavations

During the ongoing excavations in Hasankeyf Mound, one of the oldest Neolithic settlements in Anatolia, an 800-year-old talismanic bowl used for healing and two thumb rings made of agate and bone used by archers were unearthed.

Hasankeyf Mound is located in the Hasankeyf district of Batman province in southeastern Turkey.

In addition to artifacts from the Neolithic (Pre-Pottery Neolithic A – PPNA) period, finds from the Iron Age and Hellenistic periods were also discovered in Hasankeyf Mound.

Rescue excavations, which started with the Ilısu Dam Project in 2008, are carried out under the direction of associate professor Zekai Erdal from Mardin Artuklu University (MAU) Department of Art History.

Associate Professor Zekai Erdal stated that there are only 22 healing bowls in the world, reaching 23 with Hasankeyf, and said that they unearthed a healing bowl made of bronze material used in folk medicine in the medieval Islamic world.

Rare talismanic healing bowl found in Hasankeyf excavations
Photo: AA

Associate Professor Erdal said, “The healing bowl with talismans, seals and verses on it actually has some connection with Hasankeyf. According to local belief in Hasankeyf, there is a scorpion and snake relief on the middle gate. “According to this belief, it is accepted that the people of Hasankeyf or the people who go to the castle are not bitten by scorpions or snakes,” he said.

Erdal emphasized the belief that the bowl, adorned with motifs of a double-headed dragon, dog, snake, and scorpion, provided protection from two directions. He explained, “Drinking water from the healing bowl was believed to protect individuals from dog bites, snake, and scorpion stings. It was considered a remedy for those affected by dog bites, snake, or scorpion stings.”

“The examples of the healing bowls found in Hasankeyf can be seen in the Topkapı Palace Museum, Kayseri Museum, and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Museum. Evaluating these bowls comes down to folk medicine. Ultimately, in Islamic culture, there are practices like magic, amulets, and talismans. Likewise, on the healing bowl, such practices were applied, aiming to protect against the harms of animals through these talismans and magic,” he added.

Zihgirs made of agate and bone. Photo: AA

Erdal stated that they found two zihgir, similar examples of which they had not encountered in previous excavations, along with the healing bowl, and said:

“One of the zihgirs was found during an excavation in a tomb. It is understood from this that the person lying in the tomb is an important person, but his identity has not been determined. Zihgirs are made of agate and bone. Zihgir is one of the most important elements used in the Islamic world and Turkish-Islamic arts in the Middle Ages, especially in the field of archery. “It is a ring-shaped device that is worn on the finger to prevent the bowstring from damaging the finger during archery.”

The works were delivered to Hasankeyf Museum Directorate and preserved.

Banner
Related Articles

The frescoes of the thousand-year-old Beşaret Church are in danger of disappearing

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The thousand-year-old rock-carved Beşaret church in the Koramaz valley, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, is in...

In Kayalıpınar, a seal impression belonging to Hattusili III, which will impact Hittite history, was discovered

September 14, 2023

September 14, 2023

In the excavations conducted at the Kayalıpınar Ruins, located within the boundaries of the Sivas province in present-day Türkiye, which...

The remnants of the Iron Age are being searched for in Nerik, the sacred city of the Hittites

August 29, 2023

August 29, 2023

In Nerik, an important religious city of the Hittite Empire, remains from the Iron Age are being searched for. Nerik...

A new and unique plant species discovered in Adana has been named after the city’s mythological name

March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

A new plant species has been discovered in Adana’s Tufanbeyli district in southern Türkiye. Prof. Dr. İsmail Eker, a faculty...

Scientists say rock carvings at Göbekli Tepe may be the world’s oldest calendar

August 6, 2024

August 6, 2024

Scientists from the University of Edinburgh say the carvings at Göbekli Tepe could be the world’s oldest calendar. Göbekli Tepe,...

Well-preserved bust unearthed during excavations at Prusias Ad Hypium Ancient Theater

August 15, 2024

August 15, 2024

A very well-preserved bust was found during the ongoing excavations in the theater section of the ancient city of Prusias...

Neolithic human skull found in a niche at Sefertepe provides new insights into burial customs

September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024

The Neolithic human skull discovered during the ongoing archaeological excavations at Sefertepe within the scope of the Stone Hills Project...

Traces of the mega-drought that is thought to have caused the fall of the Akkadian Empire will be investigated in Kültepe

June 29, 2024

June 29, 2024

In Kültepe, traces of a mega-drought, thought to have played a role in the collapse of the Akkadians, the first...

Archaeologists uncovered the largest Roman griffin weight in Assos

August 31, 2023

August 31, 2023

At the ancient city of Assos, founded in the 6th century BC on the coast of the Aegean Sea within...

Forty-seven tombs dating back nearly a thousand years were found in the ancient city of Nysa

August 7, 2024

August 7, 2024

During excavations in the ancient city of Nysa, archaeologists uncovered 47 tombs dating back nearly 1000 years. The ancient city...

Amastris was shaken by a great earthquake 1600 years ago

September 3, 2024

September 3, 2024

The remains of a marble columned structure unearthed during the excavations of the ancient city of Amastris in the Amasra...

A dedication inscription prepared for an athlete, believed to date back to the Roman period, has been found in Anemurium

October 17, 2024

October 17, 2024

In the excavations of the ancient city of Anemurium, located in Mersin province in southern Türkiye, a dedication inscription prepared...

Edirne Archaeology Museum takes its visitors on a journey to the Roman period

March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Hosting a collection of 29 thousand pieces, Edirne Archaeology Museum takes its visitors on a journey to the Roman period...

A 4,000-year-old cuneiform clay tablet with the world’s first love poem

May 11, 2024

May 11, 2024

The small clay tablet known as ‘Istanbul 2461’ in the Istanbul Archaeological Museums contains the world’s oldest known love poem....

Perinthos Ancient City with the largest theater in Thrace

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

Perinthos Ancient City, one of the most important ancient cities of Thrace and also the largest theater, was founded in...

Comments
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *