Colonia Dacica Sarmizegetusa Votive Offerings. Hands for the Gods

Antal, Adriana and Băeştean, Gică (2018) Colonia Dacica Sarmizegetusa Votive Offerings. Hands for the Gods. ACTA ARCHAEOLOGICA ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARUM HUNGARICAE, 69 (2). pp. 321-329. ISSN 0001-5210 (print); 1588-2551 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight some old discoveries from Colonia Dacia Sarmizegetusa (CDS), more precisely a terracotta arm and a few terracotta fingers which, most likely, could be associated with a ritual healing process in local temples. For a complete analysis, this paper approaches the topic of the anatomical votive terracotta phenomenon by examining the contextual relationship between all votive objects and the cult structures which may be connected to them. Even one of the objects under the study has an uncertain discovery context, most of them are connected to the temple of Aesculapius and Hygeia, all of them being anatomical offerings used as a symbol of the suppliant’s gratitude for divine healing. This may be the evidence of an organised medical practice within these sanctuaries, for the average person to get health, sanatio, the relative cost of anatomical votive terracotta was low compared to the consultant’s fee of a physician.

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