Symposium held at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, co-sponsored by NINO

Animals occupied a central place in the economic, political, cultic, and social structures of ancient Near Eastern societies. The control over animals, whether through ownership, management, capture or killing, functioned as an expression and legitimization of power, status, and authority. These forms of control were expressed in multiple contexts: as political propaganda that reinforced royal legitimacy, in economic systems reliant on draught and pastoral animals, and in cultic practices involving large-scale breeding and sacrifice of animals. Together, these practices reveal how human-animal relationships were deeply embedded in the mechanisms of governance, wealth, and symbolism in early societies.

The symposium will bring together researchers from archaeology, zooarchaeology, Near Eastern Studies, Egyptology, history, and related disciplines to explore the diverse relationships between animals and power in the ancient Near East. The programme features four sessions focusing on animals in political-economic and kingship contexts, wild animals, cultic contexts, and Egypt, followed by a final discussion and closing reception. It is possible to attend the symposium in person, but also online.

Registration is open until 23 October 2026: Registration form.

Program

to be added