Dr. Eilat Mazar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IMAGE)

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Dr. Eilat Mazar, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Caption

Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar displays a jar fragment unearthed near Jerusalem's Temple Mount bearing an inscription in the Canaanite language. Dated to the tenth century BCE, it is the earliest alphabetical written text ever discovered in the city. The text contains a combination of letters approximately 2.5 cm tall, which from left to right translate to m, q, p, h, n, (possibly) l, and n. The archaeologists suspect the inscription specifies the jar's contents or the name of its owner.

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Photo courtesy of Dr. Eilat Mazar; photographed by Ouria Tadmor.

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