Wednesday | November 5 | at 19:00
Conducted in Hebrew
This meeting is part of the series “A Day in the Life”, a joint initiative of the Museum and the Israel Exploration Society, which explores the daily life of the region’s inhabitants in the past and compares it to our present reality.
A Day in the Life of the Shamanist, a Look at Natufian Culture, Lecture by Prof. Lior Grossman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of the Natufians during the prehistoric period (15,000–11,500 years ago).
We’ll focus on archaeological evidence that reveals the daily life and social structure of Natufian society, highlighting the unique figure of the shaman.
The central archaeological discovery that teaches us about Natufian life comes from an unexpected realm—the world of the dead.
The excavated burials reveal complex spiritual and social systems, offering a glimpse into the cultural foundations of that era.
This was a crucial period in human development, marking the first steps in the transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle toward permanent settlement and agriculture-based existence.
At the heart of the lecture stands the extraordinary burial of a shaman discovered in a cave in the Western Galilee. After her burial, additional women were interred in the cave in various ways and in proximity to the founding grave—suggesting her central role in the community. We’ll examine how the material culture accompanying the shaman’s burial reflects the spiritual and social world of the Natufians, and the place and significance of women in this culture.
Literary encounter with author Yehudit Kagan, author of “Harshta” and “Embassy of Demons: Going to Hell”
What do Jewish demons look like? What’s the connection between a binding bowl and a bat mitzvah? And how do you transform a Talmudic passage into a thrilling action scene?
In this encounter, we’ll dive behind the scenes of “Harshta”—a groundbreaking Jewish fantasy novel that brings to life the monsters and demons of the Jewish literary canon through female characters, Aramaic spells, and sharp dialogue with contemporary Israeli reality. We’ll discuss the writing journey, sources of inspiration, and Jewish fantasy as a literary movement that seeks not only to invent magic, but to reveal the magic that was already here all along.
Participation in lectures in this series requires additional payment:
Adult: 50 NIS | Museum members: 10 NIS | Student/Senior citizen/Tour guide/ Member of the Israel Exploration Society: 25 NIS | Jerusalem resident price: 35 NIS
