“Nu GIŠERIN Ì.NUN LÀL ḫu-u-uš-za-˹ša˺? ša-me-ši-ia-zi”: Representations of Incense on Cylinder Seals Impressions of the Kārum II Period

Abstract

The fragrant smoke produced by burning the bark, leaves, branches, resins, flowers and perfumed oils of fragrant plants has been used from past to present to bring people closer to the gods, thus alleviating their fears and calming them. Fragrant smoke, i.e. incense, has a purifying effect thanks to the chemical properties of aromatics. It has become a magical element that helps to cure diseases and to convey news from the gods to people with the different shapes it takes. By this means, it was included into everyday life, military matters, royal ceremonies, medical practices, festival celebrations, and religious matters such as funeral rites and rituals of penance. With regard to the effects of incense on human life in the Bronze Age various types of incense vessels, that may have been used in Anatolia in the 2nd millennium BC, were investigated. For this reason, vessel representations on seal impressions from the Kārum II Period, Hittite cuneiform texts, especially the Ḫantitaššu Ritual, and a lipid analysis of a Late Bronze Age chalice from Beycesultan were evaluated together.

Keywords

• Incense
• Bronze Age
• Ritual of Ḫantitaššu
• Kārum Period Cylinder Seal Impressions
• Lipid Analysis

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