Archaeologists in southeastern Turkey have made an interesting discovery during excavations in the ancient city of Harran.
They found the remains of four dogs, which researchers believe were buried as part of a ritual honoring a specific goddess, writes Historienet.
The excavation team, led by archaeologist Mehmet Önal from Harran University, uncovered the dogs' remains, dating back to around 700 BC.
The skeletons themselves are not unusual, but the way the dogs were buried is. They were arranged in a crescent shape, adding significance to the find.
Archaeologists think this burial was part of a ritual linked to Gula, the Mesopotamian goddess of healing.
Gula is often depicted alongside dogs, who are shown helping her defeat enemies.
Mehmet Önal explained to the Turkish media that ancient people believed dogs had healing powers.
He pointed out that the goddess Gula was likely worshipped in this way, with the dogs symbolizing health and protection.
Interestingly, the worship of dogs is not unique to this region. For centuries, Christians visited the grave of a dog named Guinefort, seeking healing and blessings.
Despite the church's attempts to stop this practice, the dog cult survived for a long time.
Historians, like Barbara Böck, who has studied Mesopotamian religion and culture, suggest that the belief in dogs' healing powers might stem from the idea that their saliva had medicinal properties.
Another theory is that the act of a dog licking a person was seen as transferring illness, thus giving the dog magical powers to cure it.
Archaeological evidence supports the idea that dog worship was common in the region.
Previous discoveries of dog burials near the ruins of Harran Castle suggest that a dog cult existed in the area during the Iron Age.
This new discovery adds another layer to the understanding of ancient rituals and beliefs in Mesopotamia.
