70th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale
“From Cradle to Grave. Everyday Life in the Ancient Near East”
We are pleased to announce that the 70th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale will be held in Prague from July 7 to 11, 2025, with the theme “From Cradle to Grave: Everyday Life in the Ancient Near East”. This conference invites scholars from around the world to explore the rich and diverse aspects of daily life in the ancient Near East, a region known for its profound cultural and historical impact on the world. From birth to death, and every moment in between, ancient peoples navigated complex social, economic, and religious landscapes that shaped their experiences. This conference will provide a unique platform to examine how daily routines, family structures, food production, craft activities, rituals, and burial practices influenced both individual lives and broader societal dynamics in Mesopotamia, the Levant, Anatolia, and beyond. By bringing together experts in Assyriology, archaeology, and related fields, we aim to foster interdisciplinary discussions and new perspectives on the often overlooked elements of ancient life.
Daily life in the ancient Near East was a tapestry of routines, traditions, and social obligations woven into the fabric of these ancient societies. From bustling urban centers to rural villages, people engaged in a wide range of activities, including agriculture, trade, crafts, and religious observance. Family structures were central to social organization, while community life revolved around temples, markets, and workshops. Rituals, festivals, and legal obligations marked key moments in people’s lives, from birth rites to funerary practices. By studying these everyday events, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the ancient Near Eastern people lived, worked, worshipped, and maintained their communities, and gain insight into the larger civilizations they helped to create.
Recent News
Submission for Paper and Poster Abstracts Opened (January 1, 2025)
The submission for paper and poster abstracts is now opened and will close on 15 February 2025, see CFP section.
Second Circular (December 28, 2024)
Download the Second Circular in PDF
The Institute of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Charles University, and the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences are pleased to invite you to the 70th Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale, to be held in Prague from 7-11 July 2025.
Submission for Paper and Poster Abstracts
The submission for paper and poster abstracts (maximum 300 words) will open on 1 January and will close on 15 February 2025. In addition to sessions aligned with the main conference theme, specialized workshops will focus on various aspects of Near Eastern cultures. For detailed descriptions of the individual workshops and contact information for the respective organizers, please visit the 70th RAI website.
All applicants will be notified of the acceptance or rejection of their submissions by 1 March 2025.
- W01 City and Country in the Geography of Late Bronze Age Anatolia
- W02 E.L.A.M.: Elamite Languages, Arts and Material Cultures
- W03 Everyday Life in the Ur III Period
- W04 Botanical Heritage: The Role of Plants in Mesopotamian Daily Life
- W05 Letters – Beyond Editions
- W06 Redefining Social Complexity in the Late 4th millennium BC
- W07 Current Research on Mesopotamian Magic
- W08 Upper Mesopotamia in the 2nd and 1st Millennia BC: New Research and Perspectives
- W09 The Forgotten City of Kish: Local Perspectives
- W10 “Kings Born to Be Wild”: Current Research on Sumerian Royal Panegyrics
- W11 100 Years of Nuzi: A Workshop Celebrating a Century of Discovery
- W12 Writing the Dawn of the Anthropocene
- W13 Society, Geography, and Chronology through Prosopography
- W14 Mesopotamia in Jordan
- W15 Divination and Daily Life
- W16 Daily Mathematical Life in Mesopotamia
- W17 Local Power and Urban Institutions in Ancient Western Asia during the 2nd Millennium BCE
- W18 Everyday Life in the Late Babylonian Period
- W19 Intertextuality in Cuneiform Literature and Beyond
- W20 Cultural Memory in the Ancient Near East
- W21 Religion and Economy in Ancient Mesopotamia
- W22 Archaeology of Texts
- W23 Akkadian Linguistics
- W24 Daily Life in Uruk in the First Millennium BCE
Presentation Policy
Each participant may present only one talk during the conference. However, it is possible to be listed as a non-presenting co-author on additional talks.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Keynote Speakers
We are delighted to announce that Manuel Molina Martos (CSIC Madrid), Marc Van De Mieroop (Columbia University, New York) and Shana Zaia (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) will join us as keynote speakers at the 70th RAI.
Remote Attendance
The 70th RAI will primarily be an in-person conference. However, we are committed to making key parts of the event accessible to those unable to attend in person. A free live stream of the opening session and all keynote talks will be provided. Further details regarding remote access will be shared closer to the event.
Registration
Registration opens on 1 March 2025 with an early bird rate available until 15 April 2025. Regular rates apply from 16 April to 15 May 2025, and late registration will be open from 16 May to 15 June 2025. Please note that accepted speakers must complete their registration by 15 May 2025, as late registration is not available for presenters.
Members of the International Association for Assyriology (IAA) and students enrolled in BA, MA, or PhD programs are eligible for discounted registration fees.
Registration Fees
| Category | 1 March – 15 April | 16 April – 15 May | 16 May – 15 June |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAA Members | €140 | €180 | €200 |
| IAA Student | €70 | €80 | €100 |
| Regular (non-IAA) | €170 | €210 | €230 |
| Student (non-IAA) | €80 | €90 | €110 |
| Accompanying person | €90 | €130 | €150 |
Registration fees include: access to all lectures, coffee breaks, and a reception.
Book sellers and publishers are invited to participate by reserving book tables for a fee of €100 per book table in addition to registration (as IAA member or Regular non-IAA member, depending on their status). Book tables will be located in the main corridors of the conference venue, ensuring high visibility and significant foot traffic from participants.
We look forward to welcoming you in Prague and celebrating the 70th RAI together!
Best regards,
The Organizing Committee