Dergiler / Anadolu Araştırmaları / 2026 / Issue: 32

“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

Nejla Alper(Uşak University, Graduate School/Department of Archaeology)0000-0003-1172-8518
Rainer M. Czichon(Uşak University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences/Department of Archaeology)0000-0002-8246-9229
Sayfa
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Yayın Tarihi
2025-07-25
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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.

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Amaç & Hipotez: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.
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Temel Bulgular & Veri: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.
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Sonuç & Katkı: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.
🔬Tür:Research Article
📍Kapsam:Genişletilmiş Akademik Örneklem
⚙️Değişkenler:Incense · Bronze Age · Ritual of Ḫantitaššu

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.

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Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Alper, N., Czichon, R. M. (2025). “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. Anadolu Araştırmaları, Issue: 32. https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.32.1663223

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