Have you ever wondered how ancient cultures experienced emotions in their bodies? Well, a recent multidisciplinary study delved into the emotional experiences of people living in Mesopotamia thousands of years ago. By analyzing a million words recorded on cuneiform tablets from 934-612 BCE, researchers discovered some fascinating insights.
Contrary to what we might expect, the ancient Mesopotamians did not feel emotions like happiness, anger, and love in the same way we do today. For example, while we might associate happiness with feelings in the heart, the Mesopotamians linked it to the liver. Similarly, anger was felt in the feet, rather than the upper body or hands as we might indicate today. Love, on the other hand, was associated with various body parts such as the liver, heart, and even the knees.
Interestingly, these findings challenge our assumptions about the universality of emotional experiences. While modern self-reporting methods have shown consistency in how we feel emotions in our bodies today, ancient texts reveal a different perspective. It’s important to consider that literacy rates were much lower in ancient times, so the ability to express emotions in writing was limited to a select few.
This study not only sheds light on how ancient Mesopotamians experienced emotions but also provides a methodology that could be applied to other languages and cultures. By exploring these intercultural differences in emotional experiences, we may gain a deeper understanding of the universality of emotions.
So, next time you feel happiness in your heart or anger in your hands, remember that emotions are not limited to our heads alone. Our bodily experiences of emotions have evolved over time, influenced by culture, language, and societal norms. The ancient Mesopotamians may have felt emotions differently from us, but their experiences offer valuable insights into the rich tapestry of human emotional expression.
