Archaeologists recently discovered the oldest known Chinese inscription at the sacred site of Mount Zion, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The inscription, which was found on a ceramic bowl, was discovered during joint excavations between the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Protestant Institute of Archaeology. The artifact illustrates “the relationship between Land of Israel and China,” according to a press release published by the agency this month.
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the ceramic vessel dates back to the 16th century. The inscription reads: “Forever we will guard the eternal spring,” and it was spotted being dug out of the dirt by an excavator.
“Last summer, during routine procedures for the upcoming excavation season, Michael Chernin, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, suddenly discovered a colorful object emerging from the dirt that had been removed during site preparation,” the IAA post said. . “When Michael took the piece out and washed it, he realized there was an inscription at the bottom of it.”
The oldest known Chinese inscription in Israel was recently discovered at the sacred site of Mount Zion. (Israel Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
The Israel Antiquities Authority stated that many of the excavation results date back to 1930 Second Temple The period dates back to the Byzantine era but the newly discovered ceramic vessel had an “unexpected origin”.
The bowl, which was likely produced during the Ming Dynasty between 1520 and 1570, is a symbol of trade relations between Imperial China and the Ottoman Empire. It is the first vessel found in Israel that contains a Chinese inscription, although other ancient Chinese pottery has been found.
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The bowl was likely produced during the Ming Dynasty between 1520 and 1570. (Israel Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
“According to Ming Dynasty records, about 20 official Ottoman delegations visited the imperial court in Beijing during the 15th and 17th centuries,” a Facebook post said. “Trade relations between these empires are also described in merchant travel books from this period.”
“Thus, writings by Chinese scholar Ma Li from 1541 refer to colonies of Chinese merchants in Lebanese coastal cities such as Beirut and Tripoli. The work even mentions other important cities in the region such as Jerusalem, Cairo, and Aleppo.”
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The artifact “shows the relationship between the Land of Israel and China” and “was discovered in Jerusalem on Mount Zion,” according to the Antiquities Authority. (Israel Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
According to some Christian traditions, the Last Supper is said to have taken place in the upper room of Mount Zion. in New Testament, The mountain is also described as a symbol of God's promises.
The site also has religious significance for Jews as the Ark of the Covenant was kept on Mount Zion during the reign of King David.
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The centuries-old Chinese bowl is evidence of trade between the Chinese Empire and the Ottomans. (Israel Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
“In archaeological research, evidence of trade relations between merchants in the Land of Israel and the Far East is known even from earlier periods — for example, various spices,” Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said in a statement. “But it is amazing to find evidence of these relationships also in the form of an actual inscription, written in Chinese, and in an unexpected place – on Mount Zion in Jerusalem!”
