Dafna Gazit/Israel Antiquities AuthorityThe Israeli Antiquities Authority recently released an announcement about their acquisition of an ancient magical amulet, reportedly from Arbel in Northern Israel, that bears the Divine Name of God. The fifth-sixth century CE magical device, which was worn to ward off evil, was apparently found at the site of an ancient synagogue. The discovery is making waves because—in popular understandings at least—ancient Jews were not supposed to participate in magic
Archaeologists unearth 1500-year-old amulet that protected women and children from evil spirits - Archaeologists have dated the trinket to the fifth or sixth centuries AD, believing it is a so-called "Solomon's Seal".
Ancient amulets generally fall into two categories – those that protect against evil spirits and those that call them. The trick for archeologists is figuring out what kind you have before you find out the hard way. Fortunately for archeologists at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the 1,500-year-old amulet given to them by the family of the person who found it 40 years ago is one of the good kind.
“This group of amulets is sometimes called ‘Solomon’s Seal,’ and the rider is depicted overcoming the evil spirit – in this case, a female identified with the mythological figure Gello/Gyllou, who threatens women and children and is associated with the evil eye. The eye on the reverse is identifiable as the evil eye, being attacked and vanquished by various means. The amulet was therefore probably used to guard against the evil eye, possibly to protect women and children.”
A 1,500-year-old amulet once believed to protect women and children from the evil eye is being unveiled by archaeologists for the first time since its discovery 40 years ago.