An amulet is a talisman or charm worn by an individual, and believed to have magical powers. Three of the four Egyptian words for amulet come from a word meaning "to guard and protect." Mesopotamian amulets were carved in stone in the forms of animals. Luristan and Amlash produced bronze amuletic animals in the 9th-7th century B.C. Egyptian amulets are the most collected and available of ancient amulets. They were produced from the Pre-Dynastic period through Roman times, a period of about 4500 years, intended to protect the individual both in this life and in the afterlife. Shell and ivory Pre-Dynastic amulets were made depicting hippopotami, antelope heads, lions, dogs, and bulls. By the end of this period, stone amulets were commonly adorned. From the Old Kingdom on, a vast array of amulets of gods, goddess, and sacred animals were produced in many media, including faience. Amulets of protection were inanimate forms such as Ujat, the eye of Horus. The Ujat was used to ward off evil, and for healing. Amulets of assimilation were produced to help the wearer take on qualities that the amulet represented. For example, a hare amulet would confer swiftness of movement and keenness of senses. Amulets of power were inanimate objects that conveyed royal and divine powers, and cosmic associations. A Crown of Lower Egypt amulet, for example, imbued authority and power. The amulets of offerings, possessions, and property acted as the substitutes for the wearer in the afterlife. Roman amulets are often bronze. They depict gods, goddesses, and the erotic phallus, a symbol of fertility worn by the military for good luck. Faience amulets were produced in Roman Egypt and Roman Syria as well. Parthian bronze gazelle amulets were found in the excavations at Dura Europus.