Identifying the “Hands” (and the “Ears”) of the Mesopotamian lilissu-Kettledrum

Abstract

This article deals with the identification of some “hands” related to the lilissu Mesopotamian cultic kettledrum. So far, Assyriologists have identified them in four different ways: as handles, tuning bolts, drumsticks, or as ritual figurines placed inside the kettle of this drum. After philological, iconographic, musicological, and crosscultural evaluations, this article concludes that the identification with figurines is the most appropriate. Specifically, it is argued here that these hands would represent the gods sent to the underworld by Marduk when he became the new divine ruler of the universe. Taking advantage of this debate, the present article also argues that some “ears” of the lilissu would denote handles that helped the kalû-priest to lift and play the drum while standing.