The International Conference on Amulets (ICA 2024)

The study of amulets in archaeology, folklore and the history of science is a fascinating process that sheds light on the beliefs, religious practices, and cultural symbolism of ancient and present-day cultures. Amulets are meaningful objects, usually small and made from a variety of materials such as stone, metal, bone, or ceramic. Their main purpose is to protect against supernatural forces or to bring good luck.

The presence of amulets at archaeological sites offers valuable insights into the cosmovision of our societies. By analyzing these artifacts, we can identify patterns of religious beliefs, healing rituals and magical practices. Many amulets display symbols associated with deities, such as eyes, sacred animals, or mythological figures, suggesting a strong connection between ancient communities and the sacred.  In addition, the variety of materials used to make the amulets provides clues to the availability of resources in the region and the technological capabilities of the culture/group/community in question. The geographical distribution of these amulets (symbols, materials, or shapes) may also indicate networks of cultural exchange between different groups/societies/cultures. Amulets were not only objects of devotion; they were often used as decorative elements in jewelry, clothing, and accessories, highlighting the fusion of the sacred and the aesthetic in ancient and present societies, as is the case with red coral.

In the sessions we intend to address, amongst others, the following topics:

- To reflect on the main beliefs associated with amulets.

- To investigate the presence of different symbols, materials, and shapes as evidence of a symbiotic relationship between the sacred and the profane.

- To explore the origins, materials and cultural meanings of amulets, tracing networks of trade and cultural exchange, as in the case of amber, for example.

- To analyze the way in which some amulets have evolved into items of jewelry, that is, decorative elements that have lost their magical and supernatural nature.

Call for papers - CLOSED

SAVE THE DATE

15-16 November 2024

ONLINE

For more information, please contact us: ICAmulets@gmail.com

​

Organizer

Museum of Archaeology D. Diogo de Sousa

​

Organizing Committee

Christopher Duffin (The Natural History Museum, UK)

Alexandra Vieira (IPB, Portugal)

​