Overview

Materia Magica approaches magic as a material endeavor, in which spoken spells, ritual actions, and physical objects all played vital roles in the performance of a rite. Through case studies drawing on objects excavated or discovered in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century at three Mediterranean sites, Andrew T. Wilburn identifies previously unknown forms of magic. He discovers evidence of the practice of magic in objects of ancient daily life, suggesting that individuals frequently turned to magic, particularly in times of crises. Studying the remains of spells enacted by practitioners, Wilburn examines the material remains of magical practice by identifying and placing them within their archaeological contexts. His method of connecting an analysis of the texts and inscriptions found on artifacts of magic with a close consideration of the physical form of these objects illuminates an exciting path toward new discoveries in the field.

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9780472036608

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Reviews

[Wilburn] has produced an important book that represents the first programmatic application of archaeology to the study of ancient magic. -Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists Materia Magica is a circumspect and original study. Wilburn effectively incorporates previous scholarship on ancient magic as well as related work, most notably that of Mark Leone and Gladys-Marie Fry on African-American 'conjure.' His characterization of magic as 'big business' (200), heterogeneous (217), and dependent on gossip and partial revelation (214, 262) is especially astute... Materia Magica is an important volume, but one that does not constitute-or presuppose to constitute-the last word on its subject. Because of its unique focus on material components, it is indispensable to scholars of ancient magic. It is also suitable for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in classics, history, and archaeology. -- American Journal of Archaeology

[Wilburn] has produced an important book that represents the first programmatic application of archaeology to the study of ancient magic. -Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists Materia Magica is a circumspect and original study. Wilburn effectively incorporates previous scholarship on ancient magic as well as related work, most notably that of Mark Leone and Gladys-Marie Fry on African-American 'conjure.' His characterization of magic as 'big business' (200), heterogeneous (217), and dependent on gossip and partial revelation (214, 262) is especially astute... Materia Magica is an important volume, but one that does not constitute-or presuppose to constitute-the last word on its subject. Because of its unique focus on material components, it is indispensable to scholars of ancient magic. It is also suitable for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in classics, history, and archaeology. -- American Journal of Archaeology

Author Information

Andrew T. Wilburn is Chair of Archaeological Studies and Irvin E. Houck Associate Professor in the Humanities at Oberlin College.

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