Foto Friday – Ancient Masks and Rattle Relics

February 26, 2010 - 1:44 PM by

Growing up as daughters of a rabbi, biblical scholar and part-time archeologist, my sisters and I never questioned the historical roots of Purim. So, I find it both amusing and disturbing that most people regard the Purim story as a myth or fairytale when it really is a docu-drama. Or, as my father put it, it is the story of a clash of empires that actually occurred and in which the Jews played a pivotal role.

Here is what Dr. David Neiman z”l thought: “The story of Purim is an account of the historical events related in the Scroll of Esther. Biblical scholars have always had a problem with this story and other biblical narratives which are beautifully written. It is as if the perfection of the literary work leads them to doubt its historical accuracy.” A portion of his audio lecture, The Politics of Purim is available online.

Our Purim traditions — masquerading, using noisemakers and getting drunk — are rooted in pre-Biblical pagan rites and our region’s archeological sites yield historical proof. In honor of the Purim holiday, the Israel Antiquities Authority has posted an online exhibition of ancient masks and rattles.

There is no clear historical moment that divides between the use of masks for ritual and for theater. But given their era, the masks presented by the IAA were definitely intended for ritual use.

Mask – image of a man, from Akhziv. Photograph: Miki Koren, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Mask from Nahal Hemer cave. Photograph: Nahum Selpak, courtesy of the Israel Museum.

Grotesque mask from Akhziv. Photograph: Miki Koren, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Ancient rattles are known from the third millennium BCE to the first century BCE. It is believed they were used primarily for ritual purposes. Clay rattles that contain small stones or other materials for making noise have been found in archaeological excavations all over the country.

Rattle from the City of David. Photograph: Clara Amit, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Rattle from Hazor. Photograph: Clara Amit, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

For more on the historical background of the Jews of Persia, The Book of Esther and life in ancient Persia – including the best pony express in the ancient world:

Tags: , , , , , , , , • Category: Foto Friday, General, History and Culture, Holidays 

Comments

One Comment on Foto Friday – Ancient Masks and Rattle Relics

  1. linda lovitch on Mon, Mar 1st 2010 3:42 PM

    2. Lovely!! Love those rattles. Of course we’re pagans.

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