Travelling images in the ancient Near East
intericonicity beyond space and time
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31239/vtg.v18i2.53584Keywords:
archaeology of images, iconographic repetitiveness, traveling imagesAbstract
This article explores the phenomenon of travelling images in the ancient Middle East, addressing how they transcend space and time. Based on archaeological theory, especially the “archaeology of images” (Bildarchäologie) it proposes a critical view of the life of images, from their creation to their reuse or destruction. Focusing on the iconographic interconnections from Mesopotamia, it highlights the importance of repetitiveness and the adaptation of visual motifs in new cultural contexts. This allows us to understand how images functioned as communication vehicles, reflecting and influencing ancient societies' social and political dynamics.
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