Ancient ABCs: The alphabet’s ‘missing link’ discovered in Israel
Ink writing found on pottery sherds suggests the system spread into the Levant earlier than originally thought.
Words found written in ink on a broken pottery sherd from Tel Lachish, Israel, represent a “missing link” in the history of the alphabet, write researchers in the journal Antiquity.
Though the writing is difficult to translate due to the text being broken, one word appears to spell out “slave,” a common element of people’s names, normally combined with the name of a god; while another seems to say “honey” or “nectar,” or is
The Art Newspaper
April 15, 2021
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Antiquity Publications Ltd
possibly derived from the word “to turn.” “The newly discovered inscription from Tel Lachish is currently the earliest securely dated example of early alphabetic writing in the Southern Levant,” write the researchers in the article. It was found during excavations conducted by the Austrian Archaeological Institute in 2018.
Nous avons besoin de votre consentement pour charger les traductions
Nous utilisons un service tiers pour traduire le contenu du site web qui peut collecter des données sur votre activité. Veuillez consulter les détails dans la politique de confidentialité et accepter le service pour voir les traductions.