Archaeologists in Turkey have made a fascinating discovery – an 800-year-old healing bowl meant to protect against animal bites. The bowl was found within a terracotta water pipe at the site of Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement dating back about 12,000 years. The excavations have been crucial due to the urgency caused by the construction of the Ilısu Dam, which has led to flooding in parts of the site. The bowl dates to the 12th or 13th century, when the Artuqid dynasty ruled the area and features intriguing images of a dog, scorpion, snake, and a double-headed dragon.
“According to these figures, the person who drinks water from the healing bowl will be protected against animal bites, or the person who drinks water from this bowl after an animal bite will be healed,” said Zekai Erdal, an archaeology professor at Mardin Artuklu University in Turkey. Aside from this particular bowl, Erdal has found 22 similar examples in museums and private collections. Healing bowls were used during the Middle Ages in parts of the Middle East and are also present in Tibetan culture. Want more fascinating discoveries? Sign up to receive our newsletter!