Ein Steinbeil mit magischer Inschrift aus der Sammlung des Prinzen Christian August von Waldeck

Abstract

A stone axe with a magic inscription from the collection of prince Christian August von Waldeck

There is a small group of neolithic stone axes which in Roman times were inscribed in the style of magic gemstones of the 2nd/3rd centuries. Whereas material and colour of the stones will certainly have attracted the ancient workman or dient, the fact that it was an exotic object as early as in the Roman period and therefore possessed magic powers was more important. Pliny already describes the ceraunia which are similar to axes and were in high demand with magi- cians as they were said to be found only at places where lightning had struck. Upon being dedicated with incised inscriptions, pictures and signs, it is the peculiarity of the material which makes the stone so suitable to enable the contact to deities and demons.