PREDICTING THE FUTURE

A new book explores the global history of prophecies, omens and fortune telling

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The fascination with predicting the future has permeated human history. Since ancient times, people have used the world around them to interpret hidden meaning. They have examined the skies and the behaviour of nature, read mystical and magical objects, and deciphered dreams and visions to find signs about where we might be headed. In Prophecies, a stunning new book from Thames & Hudson, historian and author Christopher Dell delves into this world of prediction and divination to explore our need for certainty and the methods by which humanity has searched for answers.

He takes a look at future-telling from across the globe, uncovering the history and methods of soothsaying from the ancient omen compendia of Mesopotamia to the geomancy divination practices of North Africa. The book covers six distinct components - omens, auguries, divination, oracles, dreams and apocalypse - over nine themed chapters, each of which are illustrated with images of fascinating artefacts and beautiful artwork.

The book highlights the parallels between the prediction practices of cultures that are sometimes separated by centuries, demonstrating humanity's communal quest for answers about the future - a quest that continues to absorb us to this day.

HARBINGERS OF DOOM