Disputes, affiliations, and substitutions. Role and function of the human-arboreal relationship in the ancient Near East

Plants are protagonists in the life of Ancient Near Eastern societies, as clearly shown by textual sources and iconography. Often described and interpreted as additional decorative elements or filling motifs, on the contrary, plants define a specific world and environment which not only is affected by the human agency but actually affects human life and condition. The present communication analyses the human-arboreal interplay starting from a different approach and perspective centred on the function and role of plants in the actions, interpretations, and affordances they cause and offer, not exclusively as the result of actions, decisions, and choices of humans.