Posted on 08/08/2015 7:56:55 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Israeli archaeologists say they are trying to decode ancient inscriptions written in Hebrew script discovered at a dig in Jerusalem.
The writing was found on the walls of a room containing the remains of a Jewish ritual bath, or mikveh, believed to be about 2,000 years old.
Experts are now trying to decipher words and symbols including a boat and palm trees.
They say the markings may be graffiti or have some religious significance.
One of the symbols could be a menorah - the seven-branched candelabrum which stood in the two Biblical Jewish Temples in Jerusalem - and some of the inscriptions might indicate names, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The find was made when antiquity officials inspected the site slated for a nursery in the Arnona district.
On its walls were letters in Aramaic - the common language spoken in the time of Jesus - written in Hebrew script, and a series of symbols either smeared on with mud, or cut into the plaster.
"There is no doubt that this is a very significant discovery," said excavation directors Royee Greenwald and Alexander Wiegmann.
"Such a concentration of inscriptions and symbols from the Second Temple period at one archaeological site, and in such a state of preservation, is rare and unique and most intriguing."
The paintings and inscriptions have now been removed from the mikveh and transferred to conservation laboratories.
The Israel Antiquities Authority says it plans to display the inscriptions to the general public.
The room containing the ritual bath is believed to be about 2,000 years old.
The inscriptions were written in Aramaic in a Hebrew script.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
A Mystery in Jerusalem: a Rare Ancient Message, Encoded in Symbols and Inscriptions, was Discovered in a Ritual Bath Dating to the Second Temple Period (August 2015)
http://www.antiquities.org.il/article_eng.aspx?sec_id=25&subj_id=240
http://www.antiquities.org.il/img/findings.png
http://www.antiquities.org.il/userfiles/12345(2).jpg
Could be just a simple advert? Why is every old writings supposed to be religious? Maybe just plaster falling off in odd shapes.
Ancient Synagogue Mosaic Floor Showing Menorah Found in Galilee, Israel [Horvat Kur]
http://kinneret-excavations.org/?p=1788 News
A cabbalistic incantation?
“For a good time, send a messenger to...”
Translation: BE SURE TO DRINK YOUR OVALTINE
EAT AT JOES
The thing in the middle looks like a baboon skull in a helmet with a feather duster on its nose...I don’t see a boat.
“For a good time call Salome...... “
Leave Salome alone.
She was just trying to get ahead in the world.
Yeah, that’s what John found out...
Can you imagine every time you break ground, you not only have to call Dig Safe, but the antiquities office. No wonder it takes for ever for any progress there.
A robed priest, screaming and recoiling in horror, a weeping willow tree (did they have those in the region?) A cross or dagger above the priest.
I’d bet another meteor will strike Iran before one hits Israel.
If I were a betting man.
Probably not the explanation, but I seem to recall that the Romans were trying to totally destroy the best date palm available in Palestine. Perhaps this is a story of trying to rescue the tree in a boat??? Just trying to imagine. ;-)
Ping!
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