31st August : Berlin
** Off to my Day 2 at the Museum Island.
** I would like to share my response to my Tash this morning when she asked how I am going.
I am going great, loving every minute of what I'm seeing in the museums, people I am meeting, places I am coming across.
The following might sound strange. I'm sorry I completed this in my 20s when I had all the stamina and a lot more get up & go. However my personal knowledge base back then could have been written in a thick pen on a small piece of paper, and although I am a much slower person that I used to be, both physically and mentally, I am appreciative of everything my senses are able to take in.
Irrespective as to how much longer I am able to travel, I know that everything I have seen & done to date has been worth the experience.
** the Pergamon Museum.
This is one of the reasons why archaeology had such a bad reputation for so long. Basically a Roman era market gate was just dug up and shipped back. Often it is argued that the rulers would say just take it, but it's hard to say 'no' when gun boat diplomacy is in play.
Having said all that, the museum is very interesting even though most of what it covers is somewhat later than my period of interest, being the Bronze Age, not the Iron Age.
Some amazing artefacts on show.
Incantation Bowls. Created and buried upside down in the belief that they will capture the devil or a demon. The language is Babylonian Aramaic and the script is Hebrew. Most known examples are dated between 1750 to 1450 years ago.
One of the defining moments in human history. A copy of the basalt stone Code of Hamurapi, around 1760-1750 bce. Here Hamurapi is receiving his kingship from a deity.
A model of the temple to Marduk & Ishta built by Nebuchadnezzar II of Assyria
The writing on this clay tablet caused me to have an argument with a Spanish language guide. I did not recognise the style of script so I asked him what it was. Without more than a glance he blurted out 'cuneiform'. He obviously had no idea what he was talking about. He then argued that maybe I should go & study - challenge accepted!
I did a bit of research with the AI and found that the language is Aramaic but the script is in Luwian hyroglyphics. The Luwians were the people who lived in the area where they believe Troy is and so very modern historians believe based on various evidence that these were the Trojans.
Final note on Pergamon Museum.
The main artefact that people go there to see is the picture below. It is not on exhibition because that part of the museum is being rebuilt or whatever. Such a pity. The image was taken off the net.
** The Bode Museum
Like most state buildings in Berlin the Bode is grandeur in every way. It sekebrates the first German emperor and a whole swath of religious works of art.
Not many items are about non religious works but one item really stood out for me
This menora was conspicuous by its inclusion. It is dated to 3-4th century CE and from Prienre. When I queried it I was told that it was a Christian object. I could just hear the saints and apostles rolling over in their graves.
Other works of a non religious nature follow
Comments
Post a Comment