Ancient Coptic Ostraka

Fragments of Coptic ostraca containing handwritten letters and texts from the 7th century, revealing daily life and communication in ancient Egypt.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Pesynthius to Peter 580-640 Coptic Ostraca are texts written on broken pottery, which were employed when parchment was unavailable or too expensive. At Epiphanius a large number of ostraca were discovered in the monastery, including in its rubbish heaps; they record biblical verses, legal documents, sermons, financial accounts, school texts, and letters requesting assistance and prayers. Some reveal that, even at the southernmost border of the Empire, people were still aware of events in the capital, Constantinople.Ostracon with a Letter from Pesynthius to PeterBe so good and go unto the dwelling of Athanasius, the son of Sabinus, the craftsman, and get good goat skins, either 3 or 4, or whatsoever thou shalt find of good (ones); and do thou bring them me, that I may choose one therefrom for this book. But hasten and bring them. And if Athanasius desire to bring them, and he come, let him bring them. If thou find not (skins) with him, … another craftsman a

Ostrakon with a Letter from Pesynthius to Peter 580-640 Coptic Ostraca are texts written on broken pottery, which were employed when parchment was unavailable or too expensive. At Epiphanius a large number of ostraca were discovered in the monastery, including in its rubbish heaps; they record biblical verses, legal documents, sermons, financial accounts, school texts, and letters requesting assistance and prayers. Some reveal that, even at the southernmost border of the Empire, people were still aware of events in the capital, Constantinople.Ostracon with a Letter from Pesynthius to PeterBe so good and go unto the dwelling of Athanasius, the son of Sabinus, the craftsman, and get good goat skins, either 3 or 4, or whatsoever thou shalt find of good (ones); and do thou bring them me, that I may choose one therefrom for this book. But hasten and bring them. And if Athanasius desire to bring them, and he come, let him bring them. If thou find not (skins) with him, … another craftsman a

Ostrakon 600 Coptic. Ostrakon 474724

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474610

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 7/8 x 6 9/16 in. (12.4 x 16.6 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon 600 Coptic. Ostrakon. Coptic. 600. Limestone with ink inscription. Made in Thebes, Byzantine Egypt. Ceramics

Ostrakon with a Letter from Frange to Enoch. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 1/16 x 4 13/16 in. (10.3 x 12.2 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Joseph to--. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 6 3/16 × 3 7/8 × 1/2 in. (15.7 × 9.9 × 1.2 cm). Date: 580-640.OstracaOstraca are texts written on broken pottery, which were employed when parchment was unavailable or too expensive. At Epiphanius a large number of ostraca were discovered in the monastery, including in its rubbish heaps; they record biblical verses, legal documents, sermons, financial accounts, school texts, and letters requesting assistance and prayers. Some reveal that, even at the southernmost border of the Empire, people were still aware of events in the capital, Constantinople.Ostracon with a Letter from Joseph to--This sinner beyond all the world it is writeth unto his beloved lords and pious, (saying,) Be so kind and pray for me, that the Lord stablish me: for I am a friendless man, but for God; I have none other except your charity. (Pray) that God would do a kindness unto me, for I am in great need. I desire indeed to labor a little, that th

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474480

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474484

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 5/8 x 5 1/4 in. (9.2 x 13.3 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Frange to Enoch. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 5 13/16 x 4 5/16 in. (14.8 x 11 cm). Date: 580-640.This ostrakon (plural ostraka, pottery sherd with writing) comes from the Monastery of Epiphanios, in Thebes, Egypt. It provides valuable information about some of the everyday economic activities at the site. The fragment here includes a letter in Coptic from the weaver Frange, who requests linen yarn from Brother Enoch at the monastery. Linen was one of the most ubiquitous textiles made in late antique Egypt, used both for daily wear and for burial. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474595

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474504

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474601

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474467

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 1/8 x 3 5/8 in. (8 x 9.2 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474449

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474594

Ostrakon with Biblical Text. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: Overall: 8 1/4 x 6 7/8 x 3 9/16 in. (21 x 17.4 x 9 cm). Date: 580-640. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. (11.5 x 12 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon with a Letter from John to Moses 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from John to Moses 474812

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474563

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474525

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474497

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474564

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. (8.5 x 13.7 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Pilatus to Peter 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from Pilatus to Peter 474842

Ostrakon with a Letter from Pesynthius to Peter. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 5 9/16 × 5 × 1 15/16 in. (14.2 × 12.7 × 4.9 cm). Date: 580-640.Ostraca are texts written on broken pottery, which were employed when parchment was unavailable or too expensive. At Epiphanius a large number of ostraca were discovered in the monastery, including in its rubbish heaps; they record biblical verses, legal documents, sermons, financial accounts, school texts, and letters requesting assistance and prayers. Some reveal that, even at the southernmost border of the Empire, people were still aware of events in the capital, Constantinople.Ostracon with a Letter from Pesynthius to PeterBe so good and go unto the dwelling of Athanasius, the son of Sabinus, the craftsman, and get good goat skins, either 3 or 4, or whatsoever thou shalt find of good (ones); and do thou bring them me, that I may choose one therefrom for this book. But hasten and bring them. And if Athanasius desire to bring them, and he com

Ostrakon with a Letter 580-640 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter 474875

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474546

Ostrakon with a Letter. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 3/8 x 3 1/16 in. (8.5 x 7.7 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 11/16 x 4 in. (9.3 x 10.1 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostracon with Greek Inscription. Egypt, Roman Period (332 BCE - 400CE). Tools and Equipment; ostraka. Terracotta

Ostrakon grecki z pokwitowaniem przekazu pieniężnego. unknown, author

Ostracon with hieratic inscription New Kingdom, Ramesside-Late Period ca. 1295-525 B.C. View more. Ostracon with hieratic inscription. ca. 1295-525 B.C.. Limestone, ink. New Kingdom, Ramesside-Late Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, East of Pabasa, Radim, MMA excavations, 1918-19. Dynasty 19-26

Cuneiform tablet B ,

Ostrakon with a Letter from Papnoute and Epiphanius to Cyriacus 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from Papnoute and Epiphanius to Cyriacus 474721

Ostrakon with a Biblical Text. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 5/16 x 4 1/8 in. (11 x 10.5 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Pleine to Elias 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from Pleine to Elias 474728

Ostracon with Coptic Inscription. Egypt, Coptic Period (250 - 650 CE). Tools and Equipment; ostraka. Terracotta

Ostrakon with a List 580-640 Coptic. Ostrakon with a List 474885

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 5/16 x 4 7/16 in. (10.9 x 11.2 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Brick with inscription of Ashurnasirpal II. Culture: Assyrian. Dimensions: 4.49 x 14.02 x 14.49 in. (11.4 x 35.61 x 36.8 cm). Date: ca. 883-859 B.C.. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474573

Cuneiform tablet: account of sheep deliveries for offerings, Ebabbar archive ca. 549 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account of sheep deliveries for offerings, Ebabbar archive 321791

Cuneiform tablet: account of barley disbursements, Ebabbar archive ca. 577 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account of barley disbursements, Ebabbar archive. Babylonian. ca. 577 B.C.. Clay. Neo-Babylonian. Mesopotamia, probably from Sippar (modern Tell Abu Habba)

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: Overall: 2 13/16 x 4 3/4 in. (7.1 x 12 cm). Date: 4th-7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Cuneiform tablet: account of delivery of halilu-tools, Ebabbar archive ca. 604-562 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account of delivery of halilu-tools, Ebabbar archive 321811

Ostrakon 600 Coptic. Ostrakon 474847

Cuneiform tablet impressed with cylinder seal: record of irrigation work ca. 2042 B.C. Neo-Sumerian. Cuneiform tablet impressed with cylinder seal: record of irrigation work. Neo-Sumerian. ca. 2042 B.C.. Clay. Ur III. Mesopotamia, Umma (modern Jokha) ()

Fragment cegły z napisem klinowym. unknown, author

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474591

Epitafium kobiety. unknown, author

Ostrakon 600 Coptic. Ostrakon 474738

Ostrakon 2nd-3rd century Coptic. Ostrakon. Coptic. 2nd-3rd century. Pottery fragment with ink inscription. Made in Byzantine Egypt. Ceramics

Hieratic ostracon inscribed with literary text and work journal ca. 1295-1070 B.C. New Kingdom, Ramesside. Hieratic ostracon inscribed with literary text and work journal. ca. 1295-1070 B.C.. Limestone, ink. New Kingdom, Ramesside. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Davis excavations, before 1913. Dynasty 19-20

Cuneiform tablet dated 177 BC listing the rules for the royal game of Ur, or game of twenty squares, is a game of ancient Mesopotamia. It is known by two plateaux, discovered in royal tombs of Ur by Leonard Woolley in the 1920s. dated about 2600 BC. BC,

Cuneiform tablet: fragment, content uncertain ca. late 1st millennium B.C.. Cuneiform tablet: fragment, content uncertain 322047

Ostracon Inscribed with the Opening of the Mouth Ritual. Egypt, New Kingdom, 19th and 20th Dynasty, 1315-1081 BCE. Tools and Equipment; ostraka. Limestone and pigments

Ostrakon koptyjski. Nieznany skryptor-kopista, author

Ostrakon with a Letter to Stephen 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter to Stephen 474806

Cuneiform tablet: treatments for ailments of the nose and mouth ca. mid 1st-late 1st millennium B.C.. Cuneiform tablet: treatments for ailments of the nose and mouth 322041

Ostrakon with a Letter to Bishop Pesenthius 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter to Bishop Pesenthius 474755

Ostrakon 4th-7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 478545

Ostrakon with a Letter from Jacob to Jacob 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from Jacob to Jacob 474753

Cuneiform tablet: account of dates as imittu-rent, Ebabbar archive ca. 606 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account of dates as imittu-rent, Ebabbar archive 321807

Cuneiform tablet: school exercise tablet ca. late 1st millennium B.C.. Cuneiform tablet: school exercise tablet 321985

Ostrakon with a Letter 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter 474757

Ostrakon 600 Coptic. Ostrakon 474827

Didymy epitaph; II-III century (101-00-00-300-00-00);

Cuneiform tablet: house rental contract ca. 497 B.C. Achaemenid. Cuneiform tablet: house rental contract 321728

Ostrakon with an Epistle of Severos, Bishop of Antioch. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: Overall: 3 13/16 x 4 1/8 x 7/8 in. (9.7 x 10.5 x 2.3 cm). Date: after 508-640.Ostraca are texts written on broken pottery, which were employed when parchment was unavailable or too expensive. At Epiphanius a large number of ostraca were discovered in the monastery, including in its rubbish heaps; they record biblical verses, legal documents, sermons, financial accounts, school texts, and letters requesting assistance and prayers. Some reveal that, even at the southernmost border of the Empire, people were still aware of events in the capital, Constantinople.Ostracon with an Epistle of Severos, Bishop of AntiochThe text refers to the troubles of Makedonios II, patriarch of Constantinople from 496 to 511. Severos was in the city in 508-511: Apa Severos unto Soterichos, the bishop of Cappadocia. But the Christ-loving and honored general Patricius having arisen, said unto him in just anger, "A synod t

Cuneiform tablet: account of dates for imittu-rent with sissinnu-payments, Ebabbar archive ca. 626-539 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account of dates for imittu-rent with sissinnu-payments, Ebabbar archive. Babylonian. ca. 626-539 B.C.. Clay. Neo-Babylonian. Mesopotamia, probably from Sippar (modern Tell Abu Habba)

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 3/4 x 5 1/2 in. (9.5 x 14 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Kos to Elias 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from Kos to Elias 474830

Ostracon with hieratic inscription New Kingdom, Ramesside-Late Period ca. 1295-525 B.C. View more. Ostracon with hieratic inscription. ca. 1295-525 B.C.. Limestone, ink. New Kingdom, Ramesside-Late Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Southern Asasif, Royal Cache Valley, higher up the valley than 22.3.22, MMA excavations, 1919-20. Dynasty 19-26

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474486

Cuneiform cylinder: inscription of Nebuchadnezzar II describing the construction of the outer city wall of Babylon ca. 604-562 B.C. Babylonian "I built a strong wall that cannot be shaken with bitumen and baked bricks... I laid its foundation on the breast of the netherworld, and I built its top as high as a mountain."This cylinder is one of many commemorating the extensive building program carried out by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 B.C.), which transformed the city of Babylon into a grand imperial capital. Following a long-established Mesopotamian practice, clay cylinders were inscribed in cuneiform script baked to ensure their survival into the distant future, and deliberately buried in the foundations of buildings as they were being built or restored. Often they record the restoration of structures that were already ancient, especially the great temples of the city, but in this case the cylinder describes Nebuchadnezzars building of a new outer city wall, which "

Ostrakon 4th-7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 475444

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon. Coptic. 7th century. Pottery fragment with ink inscription. Made in Byzantine Egypt. Ceramics

Epitaph of Jesus, son of Sambaios; 23.04.1 (1-00-00-1-00-00);

Ostrakon with Biblical Text 580-640 Coptic. Ostrakon with Biblical Text 474893

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474638

Greek dedication inscription; 30.10.133 BC (-133-00-00--133-00-00);Scen.Gal.Eg.

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (10.8 x 11 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Cuneiform tablet: record of expenditures of silver, Ebabbar archive ca. 605-562 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: record of expenditures of silver, Ebabbar archive 322044

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474448

Cuneiform tablet: account, Ebabbar archive ca. 626-539 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account, Ebabbar archive 321702

Ostrakon with Biblical Text. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 7/8 x 4 3/4 in. (9.8 x 12 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Cuneiform tablet case impressed with two cylinder seals, for cuneiform tablet 1983.135.5a: court deposition ca. 20th-19th century B.C. Old Assyrian Trading Colony. Cuneiform tablet case impressed with two cylinder seals, for cuneiform tablet 1983.135.5a: court deposition 328893

Brick with Elamite royal building inscription ca. 1340-1300 B.C. Elamite. Brick with Elamite royal building inscription 324102

Cuneiform tablet: promissory note for dates, Esagilaya archive ca. 537 B.C. Achaemenid. Cuneiform tablet: promissory note for dates, Esagilaya archive 321742

Papyrus Fragment of a Letter 580-640 Coptic. Papyrus Fragment of a Letter 475002

Ostrakon with a Letter 580-640 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter 474867

Ostracon Ptolemaic-Early Roman Period 664 B.C.-A.D. 1st century View more. Ostracon. 664 B.C.-A.D. 1st century. Pottery, ink. Ptolemaic-Early Roman Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Medinet Habu

Astonomical Diary mentioning earthquake of 251 BC. cuneiform.

Funerary stele with Hebrew inscription. 11th century. Copy. Granite. From Monzón de los Campos (province of Palencia, Castile and Leon, Spain). Deposit of the Museum of Palencia. Sephardic Museum. Toledo. Castile-La Mancha. Spain.

Ostrakon with a Letter from Kos to Elias. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 1/8 x 4 7/16 in. (10.5 x 11.2 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Cuneiform tablet: contract for workmen, Ebabbar archive ca. 591 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: contract for workmen, Ebabbar archive 321801

Archaic hebrew script from the lintel of a tomb, c.8th century BC. Artist: Unknown

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