The object pictured above belongs to a group of artifacts known as spell bowls, demon bowls, devil trap bowls, or simply magic bowls. They were made by the Mesopotamian people of the first millennium of Anno Domini and are found, perhaps exclusively, in modern-day Iraq. They can be dated as early as the 3rd century AD and as late as the 8th century. Most date between 400 AD and 700 AD. There are around 2000 known pieces in public collections and it is likely that many times that number exist in private collections. (Saar 2) This report will delve deeper into these claims and explore the production of spell bowls, their function, and what little is known (or provided) about the particular Kelsey museum bowl. First, however, we will look at the historical context of the place and time. Introduction Mesopotamia, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was and still is an extremely important region for the water it provides. For this reason and for its ability to support agriculture it is also known as the Fertile Crescent. It has also been called the cradle of civilization for providing the first existence of a civilization. In the first century after the death of Jesus of Nazareth, the Roman Empire was reaching the height of its power. They competed for control of the Mesopotamian area, some of the easternmost territory that had ever come under their control. In the several hundred years with which we are concerned, from about 200 AD to 700 AD, Mesopotamia experienced the control of three main empires: the Romans, Persians and finally Muslims. The Romans took control of the area in 198 AD from the Persians, more precisely from the Parthian dynasty. In 226 AD, the Persian Parthian dynasty was replaced by the Sasanians. This new Persian dynasty would fight against... middle of paper... that's nonsense! In conclusion, what is true for the bowls in Aramaic script also applies to those in pseudo-script. Food for thought The most profound revelation of spell bowls is their widespread use despite a variety of religions and changes in governmental power over the 500 years they date. Communication and relationship with the spirit realm was not so much an aspect of a religion as a fact of life. As stated previously, the final disappearance of spell bowls appears to coincide more or less with the beginning of the Muslim conquest around 630 AD. If we considered the spell bowl not as an aspect of religion (since it transcended them) but as a superstition, it may seem ridiculous to the modern visitor of science. However, when compared to today's still prevalent black cats, ladders and dowsing, we can hardly begin to make a judgment.