Rare Aramaic Inscription Along With Roman Swords Found in Dead Sea Cave

Greek Reporter ^ | August 12, 2025 | Nisha Zahid

[fidelis]

Two Israeli scholars have revealed the discovery of a rare four-line Aramaic inscription in a cave near the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert, a find they believe may date to the Bar Kochba Revolt against the Romans in the 2nd century CE.

Unveiled at a major academic conference in Jerusalem, the inscription’s first line reads, “Abba of Naburya has perished.” Only fragments of the remaining text have been deciphered, with words such as “on us,” “he took,” and “the.”

Cave already known for its ancient Hebrew inscription The cave, near Ein Gedi National Park in the Dead Sea region, was already known to archaeologists for a First Temple period inscription written in ancient Hebrew script on a stalactite. In spring 2023, a research team visited the site to photograph the earlier text using multispectral imaging to detect writing invisible to the naked eye.

While examining the stalactite, the team unexpectedly identified the Aramaic inscription on its lower section and uncovered four remarkably well-preserved Roman swords nearby.

Gayer said the earlier Hebrew inscription had been documented in the 1970s, but advanced imaging was expected to produce clearer results. The discovery of the second inscription, he added, came by chance.

The Aramaic text, measuring about 8 by 3.5 centimeters (3.15 in by 1.38 inches), is written in square Hebrew script — the same style used in modern Hebrew. Gayer said the writer appeared to aim for a polished inscription but struggled, possibly due to the uneven surface or lack of formal training. The result blends semi-formal and cursive characters.

---

TOPICS: History; Religion
KEYWORDS: abbaofnaburya; aramaic; archeology; barkochbarevolt; deadsea; epigraphyandlanguage; godsgravesglyphs; israel; judeandesert; romanempire

[fidelis]

Based on the language and style, Gayer believes the inscription dates to the 1st or 2nd century CE. However, its poor preservation makes it unclear whether it belongs to the First Jewish Revolt, the years between uprisings, or the Bar Kochba Revolt.

Its proximity to the swords and a Bar Kochba coin suggests the latter period, but certainty remains elusive.

[kiryandil]

ping

[dayglored]

It's a fake!

The "Aramaic" inscription on the rock in Monty Python and the Holy Grail is actually gibberish, not a real Aramaic script. It was created by the film's art department as a visual gag to accompany the scene where King Arthur and his knights encounter the "Knights Who Say Ni".

The inscription appears on a large rock near the beginning of the movie, where the Knights Who Say Ni demand a shrubbery. While it resembles Aramaic or Hebrew writing, it's not a meaningful text. The phrase "Ni!" is the only actual linguistic element used by the Knights in that scene.

(The above per Google AI)

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Something about “Here I sit, brokenhearted...” but the rest is illegible.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks kiryandil.

[ElkGroveDan]

Gayer believes the inscription dates to the 1st or 2nd century CE.

Gayer believes the inscription dates to the 1st or 2nd century AD.

Fixed it.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Two versions of ancient script?
Second par is probably..
“But nature gave you a second chance you stopped f@rt and cr@pt your pants.”

[OldWarBaby]

———I think it goes on -—”spent a shekel and only——”.

[Nateman]

‘Kilroy was here’

[EvilCapitalist]

How was this not posted yet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlIz0q8aWpA

[EnderWiggin1970]

I think the next line is “Drums, drums in the deep... they are coming...”