Artefacts found on road to Mecca could be 'magical' - study

Source: heritagedaily.com

Details:

In the late 1990s, several artefacts were found while excavating a section of a pilgrimage route in Israel.
These included fragments of clay rattles, miniature altars and a small female figure.
According to the version of Dr Itamar Taksel (Israel Antiquities Centre) and others, these artefacts were used in magical rituals to cure illnesses and protect against the evil eye.

This discovery explains why the inhabitants of the early Ottoman period, next to the official religion, did not shy away from the services of sorcerers," he noted.

In general, his hypothesis is supported by literary sources indicating the existence of demand for magical rituals among different strata of society. Such rituals were performed alongside official Islamic rites and pilgrims travelling to Mecca and Medina were no exception.

Analysis of the clay from the artefacts indicated its Egyptian origin.

According to the researchers, this is the first time such an assortment of ritual objects has been recorded. In addition, its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was found at the site of a temporary rather than permanent camp.

Synopsis: The evil eye is a prejudice common among many peoples that the gaze of some people can negatively affect others. The evil eye should be distinguished from a disease induced by magic, witchcraft.