Subject Area

Art History/Criticism/Conservation

Abstract

This thesis argues for a new approach to hand gesture in the Early Dynastic period, and more broadly, the Ancient Near East. I use the Tell Asmar hoard, a group of twelve miniature sculptures that were found buried in a temple in ancient Eshnunna in the Diyala region of Iraq, as a case study. The sculptures are dated to the Early Dynastic (2900-2334 BCE) and belong to the larger corpus of sculptures of Mesopotamia. I argue that the Tell Asmar hoard act as role models and mediators for the temple worshiper. My argument is built upon miniaturization theory, as the miniature manipulates and changes the worshiper’s relationship with the world around them. Thus, the miniature draws the worshiper into their world, beckoning the worshiper to replicate their gesture. I will examine the three different gestures of the Tell Asmar hoard through this theoretical approach. I have termed the gestures as follows: the clasped gesture, the cup holding gesture, and the spiral gesture. Each of these gestures act as individual ways for the Sumerian to engage in worship, allowing the worshiper access to their god through the replication of the sculpture’s gesture or meditation on the miniature gesture. Hand gestures become integral to the worship of the gods, and thus, the everyday lives of the Sumerians.

Degree Date

Spring 5-17-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Art History

Advisor

Dr. Stephanie Langin-Hooper

Second Advisor

Dr. Adam Herring

Third Advisor

Dr. Mark Chancey

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Dr. Langin-Hooper for her help throughout the last two years. This thesis would not be possible without her gracious guidance.

Number of Pages

151

Format

.pdf

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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