This thesis looks at something that goes beyond the cult of the dead, actively seeking contact and giving messages to the deceased. The occasional pragmatic contact with the dead could almost be...Show moreThis thesis looks at something that goes beyond the cult of the dead, actively seeking contact and giving messages to the deceased. The occasional pragmatic contact with the dead could almost be seen as magical practices to manipulate or influence the dead to do something. Egypt and Mesopotamia are considered in this thesis because from Egypt we have the so-called letters to the dead but Mesopotamia does not have these, but is in this thesis discussed as which comparable practices can be found in Mesopotamia and whether the deceased could be approached on specific moments, and for specific purposes.Show less