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1882
Volume 13, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2031-5937
  • E-ISSN: 2295-9041

Abstract

Abstract

Several ostraca from the fort of Arad, dated by the excavator Aharoni to the Iron IIA in the late 10th and 9th centuries , have formed the basis for the discussion regarding the emergence of writing in Judah. It is demonstrated here that these inscriptions do not come from reliable stratigraphic contexts and hence cannot be used to illuminate early scribal activity in the kingdom. Turning to finds from secure contexts, Judahite inscriptions begin to appear only in the late 8th century , and even then to a limited extent. At this time scribal activity was confined to administrative and royal circles. Dissemination of writing to the countryside and for mundane use took place only in the 7th century . The emergence of writing culture in Judah was the outcome of the kingdom’s incorporation into the Assyrian administration and economy and the impact of Israelites who settled in Judah after the takeover of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria in 720 . The findings presented here cast doubt on the very foundations of Hebrew script paleography.

Abstract

Plusieurs ostraca du fort d’Arad, datés par l’archéologue Aharoni du Fer IIA, de la fin du e et du e siècle avant notre ère, forment la base de la discussion concernant l’émergence de l’écriture en Juda. Nous démontrons ici que ces inscriptions ne proviennent pas de contextes stratigraphiques fiables et par conséquent ne peuvent éclairer le début de l’activité scribale dans le royaume. D’après les trouvailles en provenance de contextes sûrs, les inscriptions judéennes n’apparaissent qu’au e siècle avant notre ère et, de plus, dans un cadre limité uniquement. À cette époque l’activité scripturale est confinée à l’administration et aux cercles royaux. La propagation de l’écriture vers les régions rurales et pour des activités plus triviales ne s’opérera qu’au e siècle. L’émergence d’une culture de l’écrit en Juda aura été la conséquence de l’incorporation de ce royaume dans l’administration et l’économie assyriennes et de l’impact des Israélites venus s’installer en Juda après la conquête du Royaume du Nord par l’Assyrie en 720 avant notre ère. Les objets inscrits présentés ici remettent en question les fondements mêmes de la paléographie de l’écriture hébraïque.

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2020-01-01
2025-12-06

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