70^th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale

“From Cradle to Grave. Everyday Life in the Ancient Near East”

We are pleased to announce that the 70th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale will be held in Prague from July 7 to 11, 2025, with the theme “From Cradle to Grave: Everyday Life in the Ancient Near East”. This conference invites scholars from around the world to explore the rich and diverse aspects of daily life in the ancient Near East, a region known for its profound cultural and historical impact on the world. From birth to death, and every moment in between, ancient peoples navigated complex social, economic, and religious landscapes that shaped their experiences. This conference will provide a unique platform to examine how daily routines, family structures, food production, craft activities, rituals, and burial practices influenced both individual lives and broader societal dynamics in Mesopotamia, the Levant, Anatolia, and beyond. By bringing together experts in Assyriology, archaeology, and related fields, we aim to foster interdisciplinary discussions and new perspectives on the often overlooked elements of ancient life.

Daily life in the ancient Near East was a tapestry of routines, traditions, and social obligations woven into the fabric of these ancient societies. From bustling urban centers to rural villages, people engaged in a wide range of activities, including agriculture, trade, crafts, and religious observance. Family structures were central to social organization, while community life revolved around temples, markets, and workshops. Rituals, festivals, and legal obligations marked key moments in people’s lives, from birth rites to funerary practices. By studying these everyday events, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the ancient Near Eastern people lived, worked, worshipped, and maintained their communities, and gain insight into the larger civilizations they helped to create.

Further information, including the call for papers and registration details, are available at the official website: 

https://rai70.ff.cuni.cz