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Representations of Mesopotamian Incense Burners on Cylinder Seals and Reliefs and some Original Objects

LANZ, Viktoria

A wide distribution of incense burners suggests they held an important place in antiquity’s ritual and private life. Researchers mainly focus on incense burners from the Levant and Mediterranean regions, where numerous specimens can be categorised within this object group. Few original examples seem to originate from Mesopotamia, making Mesopotamian Thymiateria a relatively unexplored group. However, the lack of physical specimens contrasts sharply with the abundance of cylinder seals and reliefs showing objects used for fumigation and incense burning. The absence of coal and incense residue further complicates identifying these objects as incense burners, making visual representations of their use more significant. The numerous depictions suggest these objects played an important role in Mesopotamian society. My dissertation aims to contribute to this research by using a detailed analysis of visual representations to categorise potential physical specimens. The focus is on Mesopotamian incense burners of the bowl-on-stand type and what can be concluded about the societal structures they were embedded in. Furthermore, I seek to clarify whether the function and use depicted in numerous iconographic and written sources can be confirmed when considering physical specimens. This project will further the debate on this group of archaeological finds, particularly in terms of terminology. It will also provide a comprehensive overview of Mesopotamian

Session 4. Crafting Identity and Clusters through Material Culture, Iconography and Texts [info]