Description of Incantation Bowls

Incantation bowls were small clay bowls used in the late ancient Sasanian realm for protective spells against harmful demons, curses, and magic. Written in Aramaic, Jewish Babylonian Aramaic, Mandaic, and Syriac, these bowls featured various spell techniques such as invoking angels, threatening or cursing demons, quoting scripture, and utilizing binding legal methods. After inscribing the bowls, they were turned upside down and installed or buried in different areas of homes for long-lasting protection. Over 2000 to 2500 bowls have been accounted for, excavated mainly in central Iraq from sites like Nippur and Babylon.