WORK-IT
@workit-hki.bsky.social
ERC-funded research group at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Theology 🌐 helsinki.fi/work-it
Our researcher Lucia Cerullo had the opportunity to attend an international conference titled KIŠIB: Why Sealing? as an auditor. Read about her experience from our blog from the link below! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
Reflections on a conference: Lucia Cerullo and KIŠIB: Why Sealing? | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of H...
helsinki.fi
✈️ Our researchers have been busy attending conferences around the world this summer, just as they did last year! While we wait for their latest reflections, revisit their thoughts from last summer's conferences. 🔗 Link below! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki
Our WORK-ING Summer: Thoughts From Conferences and Meetings of Summer 2025 | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | Univers...
The summer of 2025 turned out to be an active and productive season for our research group. Members of the team participated in several conferences and meetings across Europe, presenting our project, ...
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Our student assistants got to reflect on their first 6 months as part of the team at WORK-IT. Read about their experience on our blog from the link below! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
A Semester with WORK-IT: Reflections from our assistants | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
helsinki.fi
Two of our RAs have now been part of the team for 6 months. They're writing a reflection on their experience so far and want to hear from you: what would you like to know about their work? Drop your questions below! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
One of our researchers, Filippo Pedron, was invited to give a talk at a workshop organized by the DESCRYPT project at Stockholm University in May. Read his reflections on the experience on our blog! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
Reflections on a workshop: Filippo Pedron at Stockholm University | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of He...
helsinki.fi
📚 While we prepare to introduce our researchers and their upcoming work with Brill, explore our earlier WORK-ING THOUGHTS blog posts and discover the research they have been undertaking as part of the project! Follow the link below ⬇️ @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #research
Blog: WORK-ing Thoughts | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
Welcome to our blog! Here, our researchers and staff share insights into their work, featuring stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into our projects. Stay tuned for discoveries, discus...
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Exciting news! The project has signed a contract with Brill on 7 books that will be published as Open Access. Read the announcement down below! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #Research
Announcement: WORK-IT signs a 7-book deal with Brill | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
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Our colleagues at the University of Exeter are facing distressing times: 500 academic staff members are at risk of compulsory redundancy in September, including all Theology & Religion staff. Of 153 proposed cuts, 114 are in Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences. We have included ways to help below.
While summer brings a slower pace, the importance of reflexivity in historical research remains timeless. This week, we revisit our discussion on how our own assumptions shape our studies. Read the blog post below! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
Let The Evidence Speak: On Reflexivity and The Study of The Ancient Near East | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | Univ...
We asked our researchers questions about reflexivity in the study of antiquity and about how our own categories, assumptions, and positions shape the ways we think about the Ancient Near East. This bl...
helsinki.fi
📚 Our colleague Dr Mitchka Shahryari has published a new article in the Journal Syria vol. 102: “Un ostracon araméen de la citadelle d’Amman : une lecture à la lumière du corpus iduméen” 🎉 Congratulations! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting professor Will Atkinson alongside multiple esteemed scholars for our workshop on Bourdieu and ancient history! A big thank you to all attendees for such a productive exchange. @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
This week, we are happy to welcome Professor Will Atkinson and Dr Caroline Wallis to a public lecture and workshop on Pierre Bourdieu and ancient history. 🤩 Keep your eyes peeled for a later post about the workshop! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
WORK-IT (UH) and FARE (CNRS) held a workshop together in March '26. We had a lot of excellent discussions which will be edited and published in a forthcoming volume. Thank you to the organizers! erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research
In the second part of our interview, our team member Anwar reflects on moral economy, reflexivity, and what it means to do anthropology with colleagues rather than about them. 🤓Read all about it on the blog! #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research @erc.europa.eu
Anthropology with Historians: Ethnography, Ethics And Reflexivity | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of He...
In his research for the WORK-IT project, Anwar Arifin examines how scholars of the Ancient Near East construct the past. In this post, he explores the ethics, moral dimensions and reflexivity of doing...
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Meet Anwar Arifin, a doctoral researcher who joined our team this autumn! 💭In the first part of his interview, Anwar reflects on his journey in anthropology, historiography, and questions of political economy. 📖 Read it now on our blog! @erc.europa.eu #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #research
Anthropology meets Antiquity: How We Write the Ancient World | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsink...
Anwar Arifin shares how his interest in political and economic anthropology led him to Finland and the WORK-IT project.
helsinki.fi
What does reflexivity mean for us in studying the Ancient Near East? We spoke with our colleagues and found our common troubles and solutions. Read all about it on our blog! #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research @erc.europa.eu
Let The Evidence Speak: On Reflexivity and The Study of The Ancient Near East | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | Univ...
We asked our researchers questions about reflexivity in the study of antiquity and about how our own categories, assumptions, and positions shape the ways we think about the Ancient Near East. This bl...
tinyurl.com
From Uppsala to Berlin to Turku 🌍 It's been a summer of panels, presentations & new connections. For the full story of a bright summer of meetings and conferences, visit our blog! ☀️📚 #ERCAdG #workit #workingthoughts #universityofhelsinki #research @erc.europa.eu
Our WORK-ING Summer: Thoughts From Conferences and Meetings of Summer 2025 | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | Univers...
The summer of 2025 turned out to be an active and productive season for our research group. Members of the team participated in several conferences and meetings across Europe, presenting our project, ...
tinyurl.com
Our research group had the pleasure of attending the EABS Annual Conference at Uppsala University this June. We presented our project, shared ideas, and had great discussions with colleagues from across Europe. A great thank you to the organizers! #EABS2025 #ERCAdG #WORKIT #UniversityOfHelsinki
In our final blog post before the summer break, Daniele Soares unpacks how temple labour in the Bible was shaped by social pressure, imperial systems, and economic obligation. Read the full piece on our blog! 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #blog #universityofhelsinki
Ezra–Nehemiah and the Blurred Lines Between Worship and Work | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsink...
Temple work in Ezra-Nehemiah goes beyond faith: it’s tied to social pressures, informal taxes, and forced labour under imperial rule. In our final blog post before the summer break, Daniele Soares ope...
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How can modern tools help us read the ancient world? In this week's blog post, Daniele Soares explores theory, theology, and why texts like Ezra and Nehemiah still matter for power, labour, and community today. Read the full piece on our blog! 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #blog #universityofhelsinki
Between Text and Theory: Daniele Soares on Reading the Ancient World | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of...
In this WORK-ing thoughts post, doctoral researcher Daniele Soares shares her journey from economics in Brazil to theology and biblical studies across continents. She explores how ancient texts like E...
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How do we build a system out of fragments? We continue our conversation with Dr. Mitchka Shahriyari by diving into the economic structures behind the Idumean ostraca. Read the full post on our blog! 👇 buff.ly/rTl0LxE ... #workit #ERCAdG #helsinki #blog
Fragments into Frameworks: Building Meaning from the Idumean Corpus | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
How do we build a system out of fragments? Dr. Shahryari continues our conversation by exploring the economic structures of the Persian Empire.
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What secrets can a broken pottery sherd reveal about an empire? Join Dr. Mitchka Shahriyari as she unpacks the hidden structures behind the Idumean ostraca — a fascinating set of Aramaic inscriptions. 💬 Read the full piece on our blog! 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #blog
Reading Between the Sherds: Dr. Shahryari on the Idumean Corpus | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Hels...
What can a broken jar fragment tell us about empire? Dr. Mitchka Shahryari walks us through the hidden structures behind the Idumean ostraca.
helsinki.fi
What can ancient temples teach us about taxation today? In the second part of our interview with Dr. Jeremy Land, we dive into temple economies, informal taxation, and what Bourdieu has to do with it all. Read the full post on our blog👇 ... @jeremyland.bsky.social #workit #ERCAdG #helsinki #blog
Informal Taxation and Temple Economics: Theory Meets the Ancient World | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University ...
In this deep dive into temple economics and taxation, Dr. Jeremy Land explains how limited sources and big questions reshape our understanding of ancient states.
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From colonial smugglers to ancient temples - what’s the link? Economic historian Dr. Jeremy Land effects on how informal economies like smuggling and off-the-record taxation reveal striking parallels across time. Read the full post 👇 ... @jeremyland.bsky.social #workit #ERCAdG #helsinki #blog
From Smuggling to Temples: Dr. Jeremy Land on Tracing Ancient Economic Systems | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
From colonial smugglers to Persian temples, Dr. Jeremy Land traces how informal economies continue to influence societies across time.
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In part two of our conversation with Filippo Pedron, we explore how the Persepolis archives shed light on labor, status & power in the Achaemenid Empire. How much can food rations and names really tell us? Read the full post on our blog! 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #helsinki #blog
Uncovering the Archive: Language, Labor, and Power in Persepolis | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
In the second part of his interview, Filippo Pedron shares how his linguistic expertise sheds new light on the Persepolis archives, revealing untold stories of labor and power in the Achaemenid…
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What does it take to rebuild a language from thousands of clay tablets? Linguist and historian Filippo Pedron dives into the world of Elamite and the challenges of creating a dictionary for a language with no native speakers. Read the full piece on our blog! 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #helsinki #blog
Decoding the Past: Filippo Pedron on Building a Language from Fragments | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
Linguist and historian Filippo Pedron takes us inside the world of Elamite, a forgotten language, and shares how fragments of clay tablets are helping reconstruct a civilization’s voice.
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Our WORK-ing Thoughts Blog Series continues with Temples, Rituals, and Reconstructing the Past! Explore ancient cultic sites & methodologies used to reconstruct sites of religious practices of the past. Read the full piece on our blog! 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #blog
Temples, Rituals, and Reconstructing the Past | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
Continuing our conversation with Dr. Lucia Cerullo, we dive deeper into her work on the reconstruction of ancient temples and cultic sites, uncovering the complexities of reconstructing temples and…
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We’re thrilled to kick off the WORK-ing Thoughts Blog Series with our first interview featuring Dr. Lucia Cerullo, an archaeologist and art historian whose research explores the ancient lives of the Southern Levant. Read the full piece on our blog 👇 ... #workit #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #blog
From Elam to the Levant: Dr. Lucia Cerullo on Rediscovering Ancient Lives | Work without End: Informal Taxation and Forced Labor within Persian Southern Levantine Temple Economy and Society | University of Helsinki
Archaeologist and art historian Dr. Lucia Cerullo shares her journey from Elamite epigraphy to Persian-period temples in the Southern Levant — and why it’s the everyday people she wishes she could…
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🎉 We are excited to announce our new blog series, WORK-ing Thoughts, where we’ll bring you insights from our researchers as they share their unique perspectives, research journeys, and methodologies. 📅 The first post launches next week! #workit #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #blog
🔍 Last week, we introduced Bourdieu’s Field Theory. Today, we are exploring its three key concepts: Field, Capital, and Habitus. These elements shape social spaces, power dynamics, and how we navigate them⬇️ #workit #ERCAdG #universityofhelsinki #Bourdieu
