Arabian Epigraphic Notes

An Open Access Online Journal on Arabian Epigraphy.

On the uses of writing in ancient Arabia and the role of palaeography in studying them

Abstract

Literacy was widespread in large areas of ancient Arabia, as shown by the huge numbers of graffiti by both settled people and nomads. But, it is still extremely difficult to establish a reliable chronology for the literate periods of pre-Islamic Arabian history. This has led to a misuse of palaeography in an attempt to create chronological sequences based on letter forms from undated inscriptions and documents, on widely different kinds of surface, with different purposes, and often separated by large distances. This practice is not confined to Arabian inscriptions but is widespread in Semitic epigraphy.This article offers a new taxonomy for inscriptions and graffiti, examines the misuse of palaeography in Semitic epigraphy and suggests some more useful ways in which palaeography could be used in this field.


Keywords

Ancient North Arabian Chronology Graffiti Inscriptions Literacy Palaeography

A new and unique Thamudic inscription from northeast Jordan

Abstract

This article is an edition of an inscription in a variety of Thamudic that contains several glyph shapes that have not been found together in the same inscription, and are typical of inscriptions from central and southern Arabia. Interesting glyph shapes include the glyph shapes for ‘, w, and g. A personal name formed on a morphological H-Causative verb, familiar from the South Arabian, as well as Dadanitic inscriptions, is attested in this inscription. The formula found in the inscription is paralleled most closely by those typical of Thamudic C inscriptions. Finally, the article discusses the implications of the combination of these features, typically associated with different scripts and geographic distribution, for the field of ANA epigraphy.


Keywords

Ancient North Arabian Graffiti Thamudic

A new Safaitic square-script inscription with a unique expression of ‘longing’

Abstract

This paper aims to study a new Safaitic inscription documented from the
eastern Jordanian Badiyah. The inscription is written in the square script
by a member of the lineage of ʿmrt and includes a rare expression of longing.


Keywords

Ancient North Arabian Graffiti Palaeography Safaitic Safaitic square script

An Islamic inscription from the Al-Mafraq Antiquities Office and Museum

Abstract

The core goal of this paper is to bring to light and study the significance of a recently discovered Islamic inscription, found in the northeastern desert region of Jordan. This inscription has subsequently been placed in the care of the Al-Mafraq Antiquities Office and Museum for its own safety and in order to protect its historic authenticity. The inscription itself has proved to be incredibly valuable as it provides further information on the climatic and environmental conditions during the 14th century AD.


Keywords

Graffiti Middle Arabic Jordan Weather Islamic Arabic inscription

Nabataean inscriptions from southwest of Taymāʾ, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This group of inscriptions was found at several sites southwest of Taymāʾ, on the way to Al-ʿUlā. They were discovered by Dr Bader al-Faqayr, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, King Saud University during his geographical survey of the province, in the spring of 2008. The study of these fifteen inscriptions provides twenty-three personal names; four of them occur for the first time in Nabataean inscriptions. They provided us with thirteen lexical items, two of which are attested for the second time in Nabataean inscriptions: gʾyʾ ‘the tailor’ and yhwdyʾ ‘the Jew’.


Keywords

Aramaic Graffiti Nabataeans Nabataeo-Arabic Saudi Arabia