December 11, 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

Graveyard of 54 children found in an old quarry

January 4, 2024

January 4, 2024

In the Kulp district of Diyarbakır in southeastern Türkiye, a graveyard of 54 children between the ages of 0-6 buried...

Kastabala Ancient City, the “Ephesus” of Çukurova, whose name is determined by an Aramaic inscription

October 22, 2023

October 22, 2023

Kastabala, located about 12 kilometers north of the city center of Osmaniye in the southern region of Türkiye, is an...

Excavations at Değirmenler Höyük in eastern Türkiye reveal traces of a 6,000-year-old settlement

September 2, 2024

September 2, 2024

In the rescue excavations started at Değirmenler Höyük (Değirmen Mound) in Erzurum in eastern Türkiye, settlements dating back about 6...

1800-year-old pottery found in Ancient City Assos

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

1800-year-old pottery has been found at the Ancient City Assos, located on the southern coast of the Troas region. The...

A 1500-year-old structure was discovered beneath the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquake

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

In Hatay, which was shaken by two severe earthquakes two years ago, a 1500-year-old structure has emerged beneath the rubble...

Famous Roman dictator Julius Caesar’s perfume recreated

August 4, 2024

August 4, 2024

The famous Roman dictator Julius Caesar’s “Telinum” perfume has been recreated by the Fragrance Culture and Tourism Association, which promotes...

Two open-air temple thought to belong to the Urartians discovered in Tunceli

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Archaeologists have discovered two separate open-air temple, one in the easternmost and the other in the westernmost part of Tunceli...

Using Artificial Intelligence to Create a 3D Model of a Lost Temple Relief from a 134-Year-Old Photograph

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Researchers have developed a neural network capable of taking a single 2D photo of a three-dimensional object and producing a...

Restoration completed at Divriği Great Mosque and Darüşşifa

May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

The restoration works carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations in Divriği Great Mosque and Darüşşifa, which is included...

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...

Makeup materials used by Roman women 2,000 years ago were found in the ancient city of Aizanoi

September 23, 2023

September 23, 2023

In the ancient city of Aizanoi, located in the Çavdarhisar district of Kütahya, makeup materials and jewelry products used by...

2200-year-old agora of the ancient city of Aigai on Yunt Mountain was found

August 16, 2024

August 16, 2024

A 2,200-year-old city square (agora) was discovered during excavations in the ancient city of Aigai in Manisa province in western...

Millefiori glass plates from the 5th century AD discovered in the historic Lycian city of Myra

September 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

In the ancient city of Myra, one of the six major ancient Lycian cities, glass plates called millefiori or “Thousand...

The 2,000-year-old temple of the goddess Demeter in the ancient city of Blaundos will be raised

August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

The 2,000-year-old temple of the goddess Demeter in the ancient city of Blaundos in the Ulubey district of Uşak will...

The council building, two baths, and a temple will be restored in the ancient city of Tlos

October 13, 2024

October 13, 2024

The council building, two baths, and a temple in the ancient city of Tlos, one of the important settlement centers...

Comments
Leave a Reply

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