The kudurrus and the sky. Analysis and interpretation of the dog-scorpion-lamp astral pattern as represented in Kassite kudurrus reliefs
Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.16, No.4, 2016, pages 119-123
Issue:
Pages:
119-123
Author:
Abstract:
Men have always been fascinated by the vault of heaven. The stars have been synonymous with immortality with their continuous and cyclical presence. Because of their immortality stars and planets were considered heavenly images of gods. With the rise of the Kassite dynasty, in the second half of the 2nd millennium BC, a transformation happened in the religious thought and in the representation of the gods. A gradual but continuous transformation in their depiction could be noticed, with the introduction of the symbolic representation that substituted the anthropomorphic one. Symbolic divine representations are the main subject of the decoration of the kudurrus, the Babylonian boundary stones. Between them the crescent, the eight pointed star and the sun-disk take a prominent place, always being placed in the upper part of the kudurrus. Analyzing each symbol represented it is thus possible to note an iconographical change and some differences in their relative positions. The aim of this paper is to identify recurring symbolic patterns on Kassite kudurru reliefs, and to understand their meaning. Reconstructing the heavenly vault of the Kassite period, it is possible to make a comparison between the patterns identified and astral conjunctions. These patterns represent not only divine symbols, but also a probable time image of the sky, with its own specific meaning.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Kudurru, Symbols, Mesopotamian Astronomy, Late Bronze Age Mesopotamia, Kassite Culture
Notes:
Περιέχει 3 εικόνες
References (1):
- Brinkmann, J.A. (1981) Kudurru. A: Philologisch. Reallexicon der Assyriologie, Vol. 6/3-4, 267–274.Brinkmann, J.A. (2006) Babylonian Royal Land Grants, Memorial of Financial Interest and Invocation of the Divine. Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, Vol. 49/1, 1–47.Civil, M. (1994) The Farmer’s Instructions. A Sumerian Agricultural Manual (Aula Orientalis, Supplementa 5), Barcelona, Editorial Ausa.Foster, B.R. (2005) Before the Muses. An Anthology of Akkadian Literature, Third Edition, Bethesda, CDL Press.Herles, M. (2006) Götterdarstellungen Mesopotamiens in der 2. Hälfte des 2. Jahrtausends v. Chr. Das anthropomorphe Bild im Verhältnis zum Symbol (Alter Orient und Altes Testament 329), Münster, Butzon & Bercker.Hunger, H. (1992) Astrological Reports to Assyrian Kings (State Archive of Assyria 8), Helsinki, Helsinki University Press.Hunger, H., Pingree, D. (1989) MUL.APIN. An Astronomical Compendium in Cuneiform (Archiv für Orientforchung, Beih. 24), Horn.Lewy, H., Lewy, J. (1948) The god Nusku. Orientalia, Vol. 17, 146-159.Koch-Westenholz, U. (1995) Mesopotamian Astrology. An Introduction to Babylonian and Assyrian Celestial Divination, Copenhagen, Museum Tusculanum Press.Mauer, G. (1983) Agriculture of the Old Babylonian Period. Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Society, Vol. 15, 63–78.Northcott, R.J. (1965) The Visibility of the Planet Mercury. Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vol. 59, 28–30.Pingree, D., Reiner, E. (1975) Observational Texts Concerning the Planet Mercury, Revue d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale, Vol. 69, 175–180.Pizzimenti, S. (2013) Symbols as Expression of Cultural Identity and Connectivity. The Case of Mitannian, Cassite and Middle-Assyrian Symbolic Heritages in Late Bronze Mesopotamia, in L. Bombardieri et al. (eds.), SOMA 2012. Identity and Connectivity. Proceedings of the 16th Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology, Florence, Italy, 1–3 March 2012, Vol. I (British Archaeological Reports International Series 2581 [I]), Oxford, Archaeopress, 49–54.Pizzimenti, S. (2014) The Astral Family in Kassite Kudurrus Reliefs. Iconographical and Iconological Study of Sîn, Šamaš and Ištar Astral Representations, in: L. Marti (ed.), La famille dans le Proche Orient ancien: réalités, symbolismes, et images. Proceedings of the 55th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale at Paris, 6-9 July 2009, Winona Lake, Eisenbrauns, 151–161.Pizzimenti, S. (in press), Simboli e associazioni astrali nella glittica mesopotamica del Bronzo Tardo (British Archaeological Report International Series), Oxford, Archaeopress.Seidl, U. (1981) Kudurru. B: Bildschmuck. Reallexicon der Assyriologie, Vol. 6/3-4, 275–277.Seidl, U. (1989) Die babylonischen Kudurru-Reliefs. Symbole mesopotamischer Gottheiten (Orbis Biblicus et Orientalis 87), Freiburg, Universitätsverlag.Shaefer, B.E (2007), The Latitude and Epoch of the Origin of the Astronomical Lore in MUL.APIN. Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 38, 157.Slanski, K.E. (2000) Classification, Historiography and Monumental Authority: The Babylonian Entitlement narûs (Kudurrus). Journal of Cuneiform Studies, Vol. 52, 95–114.Slanski, K.E. (2003) The Babylonian Entitlement narûs (Kudurrus): A Study in Their Form and Function (American Schools of Oriental Research Books 9), Boston, American Schools of Oriental Research.Steinmetzer, Fr.X. (1922) Die babylonische kudurru (Grenzsteine) als Urkundenform, Paderborn, Schöningh.Tuman, V.S. (1993) Astronomical Dating of MUL.APIN Tablets, in: D. Charpin – F. Joannés (eds.), La circulation des biens, des personnes e des idées dans le Proche-Orient ancien, XXXVIII RAI, Paris 1992, Paris, 397–414.Van Soldt, W.H. (2000) Shamash, in: C.L. Coulter – P. Turner (eds.), Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities, Jefferson, Mc Farland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 423.Yamamoto S. (1979) The “Agricultural Year” in Pre-Sargonic Girsu – Lagash. Acta Sumerologica, Vol. 1, 85–97.Walker, C.B.F, Hunger, H. (1977), Zwölfmaldrei. Mitteilungen der Deutschen Orient-gesellschaft zu Berlin, Vol. 109, 27–34.Weidner, E. (1915) Handbuch der babylonischen Astronomie (Assyriologische Bibliothek 23), Leipzig, J.C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung.
