Perilous Times
Tiny shard bears oldest script found in Jerusalem
The Associated Press
Monday, July 12, 2010; 5:44 PM
JERUSALEM -- Archaeologists say a newly discovered clay fragment from
the 14th century B.C. is the oldest example of writing ever found in
antiquity-rich Jerusalem.
Dig director Eilat Mazar of Hebrew University says the 2-centimeter
(0.8-inch) long fragment bears an ancient form of writing known as
Akkadian wedge script.
The fragment includes a partial text including the words "you," "them,"
and "later."
It predates the next-oldest example of writing found in Jerusalem by
600 years, and dates roughly four centuries before the Bible says King
David ruled a Jewish kingdom from the city.
Mazar said Monday that the fragment likely came from a royal court and
suggested more could be found in the most ancient part of Jerusalem,
located in the city's predominantly Palestinian eastern sector.