Birthe Hemeier M.A. - Dissertation project

Concept and Arrangement of Ritual Events in "open-space" in the Near Eastern Bronze Age (working title)

On examining ancient cult activities, architecturally formed sanctuaries have so far received most attention. But by taking into consideration a closer connection to the natural environment, which can be hypothesised for that time, it should not be surprising if nature in itself may have been considered sacred, and thus if distinctive places, such as rock formations, were worshipped. This is especially discernible to us in cases where markings such as reliefs, inscriptions or other reshapings are still preserved.
Remnants of cultic behaviour not only in the Near Eastern Bronze Age but in general are remains like installations, artefacts and representations on such media, as well as modes of access which in their context gained significance beyond the mere material. They are a factor of ways of life which not only communicate visual but also implicit messages and hidden values. Additional sources are the cuneiform texts of ritual and religious content that are available throughout the cultures of the Ancient Near East. Conclusions shall be drawn about the content of practices which took place in the arranged space.
In the light of research of "open-air-sanctuaries" in the Bronze Age, not only will it be possible to discuss questions about accessibility of individuals or of a group to deities and the transcendental world as well as about the positions of places and their surroundings, but also to draw conclusions, using the arrangement of the equipment, installations and findings, on how ritual performances might have taken place. Further, influences, resemblances and divergences between different ways of life, several regions and times will be discussed.
In this doctoral thesis the focus will be on the context of “open-air-sanctuaries” and not on art historical studies. The near and far environment and surroundings and the nature of life shall be taken into consideration. Since the natural setting of the place, its position, its pecularities and its accessibilities are rarely described in secondary literature, research trips will be undertaken to compensate for this lack of information. The thesis aims at traces of (religious) life in "open spaces" of the Ancient Near East.