An Iron Age IIA Alphabetic Writing Exercise from Khirbet Qeiyafa

Since its publication in 2009, the Khirbet Qeiyafa ostracon continues to ignite scholarly discussion regarding its meaning and its historical and social context. One should take note of the unusual characteristics — namely, that it was written on the concave side of the sherd, each row set off by a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Demsky, Aaron (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Soc. 2012
In: Israel exploration journal
Year: 2012, Volume: 62, Issue: 2, Pages: 186-199
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:Since its publication in 2009, the Khirbet Qeiyafa ostracon continues to ignite scholarly discussion regarding its meaning and its historical and social context. One should take note of the unusual characteristics — namely, that it was written on the concave side of the sherd, each row set off by a dividing line. Drawing upon the palaeographic and linguistic evidence, evidence that is admittedly problematic, this paper argues that the ostracon is an elementary writing exercise that reflects a local scribal tradition listing human and divine titles similar to those found in scribal encyclopaedic lists. Whatever implications may be drawn from this text regarding a centralized monarchy is beyond the scope of this paper. The addendum expresses my reservations with regard to the Qeiyafa/Sheʿaraim identification.
Contains:Enthalten in: Israel exploration journal