The Spirited Horse: Human-equid relations in the Bronze Age Near East (TSH) is a project that examines the interactions between humans and various types of equids (donkeys, horses, onagers and hybrids) in the third and second millennium BCE. The focus is on the relations between humans and equids, and in order to better interpret these, concepts and research from the field of Human-Animal Studies form an integral part of the project. Equids are thus acknowledged as social actors who actively engage with and react to their surroundings, including humans. This active engagement can be expressed in many different ways in different types of data, and have an impact on how human behaviour and how humans in turn participate in the relationship.
The main data explored in TSH broadly falls into three categories: ancient texts, ancient faunal remains of equids, and ancient iconography. These do not exist in a vacuum, but are part of contexts, both individually and wider social contexts. Other aspects, such as evidence for stables, harness and tack are also part of the overall research. Each type of data offers information about certain aspects of human-equid interaction in the past: it is important to bring these together to achieve as complete a picture as possible. Each helps answer questions concerning which equids were present, differences in species, and how humans and animals negotiate their relationships.
Modern relations with equids is used to help illustrate and understand possible ancient practices, and modern equine experts and centres have therefore also been part of the project.
Significantly, animals – including equids – have great impact on social structures, short and long distance networks, and negotiation of identity. This is something that is best studied when acknowledging the agency and active engagement of equids. This acknowledgement of equids as beings with agency offers an important perspective on the role of animals in human lives and how they influence and transform society. This also has implications for how we relate to equids and other animals today.
TSH has three overall Research Objectives:
RO1: To provide an overview of available data pertaining to equids from the Bronze Age Near East, through comprehensive collection, entry into a purpose-built database and analytical assessment, and to consider differences in human-equid relations during the Bronze Age and across the study region.
RO2: To synthesize and compare different types of data (faunal, artistic & textual) within their archaeological context and evaluate them individually and against each other. The key questions asked of the empirical data and species are: how does including three types of empirical material change our understanding, compared to use of only one or two? What patterns can be discerned concerning different equid species and hybrids? Are some more valuable or prestigious? Are some only used for certain activities?
RO3: To apply Human-Animal Studies theory and method, with special emphasis on equids as social actors. This involves analysing how equids were perceived by and influenced humans, along with, for example, concerns about gender (both human and equid: is one gender of equid valued above another? Is there a gender bias in the association of equids with men or women?) and social status (again, both equid and human: what social beings were allowed to interact with equids, and what kinds of status might an equid have?).
These objectives have been reached through extensive research, training, networking, presentation of research, public engagement and academic publication.
