Evolution of a Taboo: Pigs and People in the Ancient Near East

Pigs were domesticated in the Ancient Near East and have had a fascinating story, from domestication to taboo. This book adopts an evolutionary approach to unravel the cultural significance of swine in the Near East from the Paleolithic to the present day, covering five major themes. The taboo on pork evolved over time, beginning with conflicts between Israelites and Philistines and later being mobilized by Judah's priestly elite. It became a point of contention in the ethno-political struggles between Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures in the Levant and later between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Pigs, among the most peculiar animals domesticated in the Ancient Near East, have captivated the attention of historians, archaeologists, and religious studies scholars for decades. This book adopts an evolutionary approach to unravel the cultural significance of swine in the Near East, spanning from the Paleolithic to the present day. Five major themes are explored:

The domestication of pigs from wild boars in the Neolithic period, their unique roles in agricultural economies before and after the development of complex societies, the raising of swine in cities, the shifting ritual roles of pigs, and the formation and development of the pork taboo in Judaism and, later, Islam.

The origins and significance of this taboo have sparked extensive debate. Evolution of a Taboo argues that the well-known taboo described in Leviticus evolved over time, beginning with conflicts between Israelites and Philistines in the early Iron Age and later being mobilized by Judah's priestly elite in the writing of Biblical texts. Centuries later, the pig taboo became a focal point in the ethno-political struggles between Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures in the Levant, and later between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Through these conflicts, the pig taboo gained power, shaping the relations between pigs and people in the Near East and beyond, up to the present day.

This rich account provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical and cultural significance of pigs in the Near East, shedding light on the complex interplay between religion, society, and animal domestication.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 235 x 155 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197682647