This Jerusalem inscription dating to the first century B.C.E. spells the city’s name as Yerushalayim. Photo: Danit Levy, Israel Antiquities Authority.
Hananiah son of
Dudolos
of Jerusalem
The Jerusalem inscription, carved on a limestone column drum, was uncovered during excavations led by Danit Levy on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in Binyanei Ha’Uma, a massive convention center in Jerusalem. The IAA press release announcing the discovery describes the inscription as Aramaic but written with Hebrew letters.
“First and Second Temple period inscriptions mentioning Jerusalem are quite rare. But even more unique is the complete spelling of the name as we know it today, which usually appears in the shorthand version,” explained Dr. Yuval Baruch, Jerusalem Regional Archaeologist for the IAA, and Prof. Ronny Reich of Haifa University, in an IAA press release. “This is the only stone inscription of the Second Temple period known where the full spelling appears.”
As the point where three of the world’s major religions converge, Israel’s history is one of the richest and most complex in the world. Sift through the archaeology and history of this ancient land in the free eBook Israel: An Archaeological Journey, and get a view of these significant Biblical sites through an archaeologist’s lens.
In the Times of Israel, Dr. Alexey Yuditsky of the Academy of the Hebrew Language told reporter Amanda Borschel-Dan that the inscription is more likely Hebrew than Aramaic, although both were used interchangeably during this time period. According to Yuditsky, the spelling Yerushalayim reflects a Hebrew pronunciation, while an Aramaic one would have spelled the name Yerushalem.
IAA excavation director Danit Levy with the Jerusalem inscription in situ. Photo: Yoli Shwartz, IAA.
The column drum on which the Jerusalem inscription was written had been re-used in a structure occupied by the Tenth Roman Legion. While the inscription doesn’t provide information on Hananiah’s occupation, researchers believe he was an artist-potter. The IAA has been excavating in Binyanei Ha’Uma for years, gradually revealing a pottery production center in operation from the time of the Hasmoneans to the Late Roman period.
“This is the largest ancient pottery production site in the region of Jerusalem,” said excavation director Danit Levy.
The Jerusalem inscription will be on display at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, along with other artifacts unearthed in the city.
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem exhibit featuring the Jerusalem inscription and other ancient discoveries. Photo: Laura Lachman, Courtesy of the Israel Museum.
As the point where three of the world’s major religions converge, Israel’s history is one of the richest and most complex in the world. Sift through the archaeology and history of this ancient land in the free eBook Israel: An Archaeological Journey, and get a view of these significant Biblical sites through an archaeologist’s lens.
Related reading in Bible History Daily:
Precursor to Paleo-Hebrew Script Discovered in Jerusalem
The King of Judah, Jars of Wine, and the City of Jerusalem by Christopher Rollston
Three Takes on the Oldest Hebrew Inscription
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