Huippuyksikön jäsen, assyriologian tutkija Saana Svärd vieraili tiistaina 10. maaliskuuta MTV3:n Huomenta Suomi -ohjelmassa. Svärd kommentoi ääri-islamilaisen Isisin maaliskuun alkuviikkoina tekemiä iskuja Nimrudin alueelle ja Hatran kaupunkiin. Continue reading ISIS tuhoaa korvaamatonta kulttuuriperintöä
Tag Archives: Featured
Why the Septuagint Can No Longer Be Ignored in Redaction Criticism
The Hebrew Bible is a collection of layered works. Its books in their various forms have been creatively edited and interwoven by ancient redactor-scribes in various historical situations using multiple sources from different time periods. In order to understand these editorial processes and use the texts in reconstructing history, scholars use the method of redaction criticism. Building on the observations of literary criticism (that is ”source criticism”), redaction criticism asks, for example: what is the ideology/theology behind the editing? What has been included or left out in the work and why? What is the community behind the editor(s)? How can the different textual layers be dated? Continue reading Why the Septuagint Can No Longer Be Ignored in Redaction Criticism
Melammu Symposium 9: “Conceptualizing Past, Present and Future”
To understand changes in sacred texts, it is necessary to understand changes in the cultures that produced them. The 9th Melammu Symposium, which will be held in Helsinki and Tartu on May 18-24, 2015, will be an exciting opportunity for all interested scholars to get a close look on the latest developments on the themes of continuity, transformation, and diffusion in the Near East and surrounding areas. Continue reading Melammu Symposium 9: “Conceptualizing Past, Present and Future”
Greek Fragments in European Libraries and Museums: A Whirlwind Tour
This winter I was able to travel extensively throughout Europe to examine in person many of the Greek Exodus fragments that I am working on for my CSTT project. I had the opportunity to visit four different libraries and museums and see fragments of six Exodus manuscripts and a large number of additional ancient and medieval manuscripts. The untapped wealth of ancient materials that are stored in European institutions never ceases to amaze me! Continue reading Greek Fragments in European Libraries and Museums: A Whirlwind Tour
Call for Papers: Ancient Jewish Cosmology-workshop (Jerusalem, June 15-16)
CSTT Workshop: Ancient Jewish Cosmology – Sacred Time and Order
École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem, June 15‒16, 2015
CSTT’s Team 4 “Society and Religion in Late Second Temple Judaism” is organising a workshop on Ancient Jewish Cosmology. Cosmology is here broadly understood to deal with the cosmic world order and origin, but also matters related to acknowledging, finding out, and living out this cosmic order in everyday life. The aim is to identify forms and mechanisms of change in the notions and practices relating to Jewish cosmology: the origin, nature, and fate of the universe. Also ritual practices can be related to this theme: e.g., which beliefs are transmitted through ritual practices, prayer and divination; how the understanding of the divine is reflected in the earthly sphere (architecture, collective practices, calendar, correct prayer times, etc.). Cosmology plays a role in the way in which societies structure themselves and communities select and cherish their values and moral systems. Of special interest is the influence of Hellenistic philosophy and practices on Jewish thought. Continue reading Call for Papers: Ancient Jewish Cosmology-workshop (Jerusalem, June 15-16)
Workshop on Text, Ritual and Magic (Helsinki, April 14-15)
The workshop focuses on the interface between texts and magical or ritual practices. As a starting point, we wish to question and deconstruct the dichotomy between magic and religion. We are particularly interested in texts as material artefacts and their magical and ritual uses as well as practices described in texts. The presentations cover a variety of source materials and methodological approaches as the workshop brings together scholars working in different fields. Continue reading Workshop on Text, Ritual and Magic (Helsinki, April 14-15)