Posted on 02/18/2010 5:12:08 AM PST by SJackson
A fragment of a marble plaque bearing parts of an Arabic inscription from the beginning of the tenth century CE was discovered in archaeological excavations Israel Antiquities Authority carried out prior to renovation work slated to take place in a private home in the Jewish Quarter.
Only three engraved lines of square Arabic script characteristic of the first centuries of the Islamic period survived. Professor Moshe Sharon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem deciphered the writing based on two similar inscriptions that were previously discovered in the country.
According to Professor Sharon, “The inscription that was found now, which dates to the year 910 CE, and other such inscriptions, commemorates the granting of an estate by the Abbasid caliph to one of his loyal followers in Jerusalem. We know from this type of official inscription that the caliph used to give land to his followers who were, for the most part, retired army veterans, and even exempted them from paying taxes for the receipt of the property.”
Excavation director Annette Nagar, who discovered the inscription, says, “The reign of the [10th-century] caliph Al-Muqtadir (also known as “Emir of the Faithful”) was characterized by repeated wars for control over Israel with the Fatimids, who ruled Egypt. The caliph probably granted estates as part of his effort to strengthen his hold over the territories within his control, including Jerusalem, just as other rulers did during various periods.”
In addition to the inscription, numerous ceramic vessels, glass vessels and coins that range in date from the Second Temple period to the Middle Ages were discovered in the dig.
The house’s owner planned a renovation and — as required by law — brought archaeologists to carry out a salvage dig meant to prevent harm to valuable antiquities.
The finding will help scholars better understand 10th-century Jerusalem, populated by Muslims, Christians and Jews, and the methods used by Muslim rulers to solidify their control.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Were it a Jewish or Christian artifact found by the Wakf, off to the garbage dump with it.
If I owned the land, I would treat the inscription as though it were a survey monument and leave it in place, beneath the building or not.
It’s akin to an archeologist finding a section marker placed a century ago, then removing it to place in his museum.
probably translates to: “Islam is a sham! shhh - don’t tell anyone”
The title would no longer be valid, but expect heirs to the land to turn up any minute now.
Now they need to follow the Islamic example and SMASH IT TO SMITHEREENS.
Not since they removed the mark.
Interesting find, I guess.
10th century is well after the Israelites arrived.
No, it says “Qilroy was here.”
What the heck is CE??????????????
Christian Era
Christ Enters
or for those who rail against God, “Common Era”.
Same as AD.....
I really don’t thing the Jerusalem Dispatch “rails against G-d.”
Wow, it took 11 posts before someone objects to Jews not adopting Christian dating systems.
If you prefer, we could use the non-pagan Roman dating system and say it the year 4760, give or take.
Technically, no.
AD is Anno Domini, or “In the year of our Lord”.
CE tries to push “Lord” or “God” out of the conversation.
You’re correct there - but they deny Jesus’ existence and Deity, thus they remove him from the public square.
PS: I got that name after I qilled Roy.
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