The 2,000-year-old Roman pots containing magical offerings

[Neil]

 
By Victoria Woollaston

Buried beneath the Turkish city of Sardis, archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be an ancient lucky charm, designed to ward off evil spirits.

Despite being buried around 2,000 years ago, the two pots are relatively intact and one contains the remains of a perfectly preserved, fragile eggshell. The region was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 17 and it is thought the egg was a ritual offering, used to protect the area from future disasters.

Buried beneath the ancient Turkish city of Sardis, archaeologists have discovered two pots dating back 2,000 years. The pots, pictured, are relatively intact and contain the remains of a perfectly preserved eggshell which may have been used to ward off evil spirits

THE USE OF EGGS IN RITUALS
There have been many reports of eggs being used in ancient rituals, with particular reference to ‘uncrossing’ and warding off demons. Uncrossing is the act of undoing curses, or reversing bad fortune.

The U.S. archaeologists believe the residents of Sardis would have placed the eggs in the ground to reverse the bad fortune the earthquake had subjected on the region. It may have also been seen as an offering to the gods, to help ward off demons and evil spirits that would want to harm the region.

Eggshells were additionally used in so-called ‘demon traps’ in modern-day Iraq and Iran to disarm evil forces.
Whole eggs were used to place curses on enemies.

Residents of Sardis rebuilt the region following this earthquake, and the settlement remained for centuries until it was finally abandoned in the 1402.

The discovery of the pots was made by archaeologists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Missouri in partnership with the Archaeological Exploration of Sardis.

The artefacts were found buried beneath what would have been an elite building in the city that was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia.

In addition to the eggshell, the researchers also found small bronze tools and a coin.
The eggshell had been deliberately pierced, to allow the insides to flow out, but the rest of the shell had remained in one piece.
There have been many reports of eggs being used in ancient rituals, with particular reference to ‘uncrossing’ and warding off demons.

The Sardis region was destroyed by an earthquake in A.D 17 and archaeologists claim the egg was a ritual offering, used to protect the area from further disasters. The eggshell has been deliberately pierced, to allow the insides to flow out, and was found alongside small bronze tools, pictured

Sardis was the ancient capital city of Lydia, in Turkey's Manisa Province, pictured. Its location and wealth made it an important city in the Persian Empire, as well as into the Roman and Byzantine eras

Uncrossing is the act of undoing curses, or reversing bad fortune. The U.S. archaeologists believe the residents of Sardis would have planted the eggs into the ground to prevent another earthquake in the region.

The artefacts were found beneath what would have an elite building in the ancient city, remains pictured
Eggshells were also used in so-called ‘demon traps’ in modern-day Iraq and Iran to disarm evil forces.
Elsewhere, the coin features a symbol believed to be the goddess Cybele.

Cybele was linked with the earth, and in particular the mountains, and this offering may have been to appeal to her for protection.

Elizabeth Raboult from the University of Missouri told Live Science that the objects give a unique insight into how the earthquake would have affected the residents of Sardis.

She said: ‘It's one person's way of coping with the uncertainties and tumultuous events of that period’ and added that the find was ‘really fantastic.’
Sardis was the ancient capital city of Lydia, in Turkey’s Manisa Province. Its location and wealth made it an important city in the Persian Empire, as well as into the Roman and Byzantine eras.
The Sardis settlement, found in modern-day Sart, was situated in the middle of Hermus valley, at the foot of Mount Tmolus. Excavations have previously uncovered a bath-gym complex and a synagogue in the region.

In A.D 17, under the reign of Tiberius, Sardis was destroyed by an earthquake and the whole area had to be rebuilt.

[150aceboy]

Very interesting read Neil, thanks for posting m8 

[Dryland]

A great read Neil, Without trying to sound silly, are some of the ideas that archaeologists come up
with to explain the use of some objects found, just down to a vivid imagination, or should everything be taken as Gospel ? Would a different Arky have come up with a different explanation.
                                                  In the example of the egg that was found, If there had been no other  objects found with it , would it have been described as being someones  breakfast, that had been left behind ,or If the egg had been found in the U.K. would they have come up with another reason for it to be there

[Neil]

I suppose it depends on whether the chicken came first!

[Dryland]

surely the cockerel must have COME first

[Chef Geoff]

Spot on Torchy.
The problem with these theories and what sets archaeology apart from purer sciences is that you have the evidence and then fit a theory to it, where in science many times you start with a theory and have to find the evidence to prove it.
So yes an overactive imagination 

[Dryland]

lol thanks for that Geoff

[Svaipa]

In Denmark there are a lot of very old traditions which incl eggs. At easter we make decorations with eggs. The old tradition is that the decorated eggs would be hanged up in trees.

Now most people create smaller indoor displays where eggs are hanged on decored sticks of a tree, usually willow as this is one of the first trees to come out in spring.

In each end of the egg you make a small hole, then blow the yolk and white out of the egg. The egg is then decorated and and hanged with a colored ribbon. The sticks are often decoretes with feathers and colored paper strips.
The symbols of the eggs was originally to wish for a fertile and productive year to come. There would be a big party celebrating the coming of spring and food and wine/mead was served plentyfull.

[Svaipa]

In the example of the egg that was found, If there had been no other  objects found with it , would it have been described as being someones  breakfast, that had been left behind ,or If the egg had been found in the U.K. would they have come up with another reason for it to be there

It could also have been used as a color fixer to create paint.

[Dryland]

Ad to put in my sandwiches