Ancient Inscriptions

Fragments of ancient inscriptions and stele from various cultures, including Sabeenne and Byzantine, depicting historical scripts.

Lead tablet from the Sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona, c.4th century BC. Artist: Unknown

Partial text in the Sabeenne language (Native to Saudi Arabia), 8th Century BC

Limestone inscription. Fragment of epigraph. Visigothic period. From Toledo, Spain. Museum of Visigoth Councils and Culture. Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain.

Stele of "Blessed Chrysaphios" 3rd-12th century Funerary stelae from the Byzantine period in Egypt are thought to have been produced in quantity, then modified for individual use. Inscriptions were often added to identify the deceased.. Stele of "Blessed Chrysaphios". 3rd-12th century. Sandstone; incised. Found Egypt, Aswan (Assouan). Sculpture

Ostrakon with a Letter from Jonah to Elias. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 3/4 x 4 5/16 in. (12 x 11 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Theona epitaph; I-II century (1-00-00-200-00-00);

Greek inscription today; 30.12.23 BC (-23-00-00--23-00-00);

Tuscany Siena Montalcino Chiese3. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Views of two unidentified churches in Montalcino. Post-medieval: Views of an unidentified church in Montalcino German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Inscription commemorating treaty of alliance between the cities of Lato and Olunte, 2nd Century B.C.

Lead tablet from the Sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona, c.4th century BC. Artist: Unknown

Wall fragment from the tomb of Satbahetep and Neferkhaw. At the top is shown the list of food for the offering. In the top register, a procession of funeral priests, including Shem, a lector priest, offer incense and a libation. Below, bearers carrying the offerings to the tables of Neferkhaw and Satbahetep. 2100-1940 BC. Limestone. Necropolis of the First Intermediate Period-early Middle Kingdom. Herakleopolis Magna (Ihnasya el-Medina), Upper Egypt. National Archaeological Museum. Madrid. Spain.

Cuneiform tablet: fragment, issue of materials used for caulking, Ebabbar archive ca. 7th-6th century B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: fragment, issue of materials used for caulking, Ebabbar archive 321940

Epitafium Theona. unknown, author

Ostrakon 580-640 Coptic. Ostrakon 474877

Inskrypcja grecka - dekret honoryfikacyjny. Tracja, Perynt

Brick with inscription of Ashurnasirpal II ca. 883-859 B.C. Assyrian. Brick with inscription of Ashurnasirpal II 324342

Lazio Frosinone Ferentino S. Valentino. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Medieval: Architectural sculpture; painting in portal tympanum. Post-medieval: Architectural, architectural sculpture--primarily exterior Antiquities: Architectural fragment with inscription Object Notes: Church founded 6th century, additions 12th century German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Tsatechanis epitaph; II-III century AD (190-00-00-210-00-00);

"Lex Municipal", Empuries.

Plaque with Greek dedication to Isis, Serapis and Apollo by Komon for the benefit of Ptolemy IV and V 210-204 B.C. Ptolemaic Period This plaque can be precisely dated to the overlapping reigns fo Ptolemy IV and V. It was dedicated on behalf of these kings at a sanctuary of Isis, Serapis and Apollo, by Komon, an oeconomos... Plaque with Greek dedication to Isis, Serapis and Apollo by Komon for the benefit of Ptolemy IV and V. 210-204 B.C.. Marble. Ptolemaic Period. From Egypt. Ptolemaic Dynasty

Lead plaque asking questions of an oracle at Dodona Artist: Unknown

Epitaph of Kolluthosa. Sudan or southern Egypt 6th -10th century AD. Marble. Early Christian dedication

Funerary Ara dedicated to Publius Lenius Fortunatus. Lived 29 years and 25 days. Dedicated by his friend Aelius Faustinus. 2nd-3rd century A.C. Detail inscription. National Archaeological Museum, Tarragona. Spain.

Partial text in the Sabeenne language (Native to Saudi Arabia), 5th Century BC

Greek honorification inscription; TRATE, perin; 300-250 BC (-300-00-00--250-00-00);

Fragment of an Inscribed Stele 6th-7th century Funerary stelae from the Byzantine period in Egypt are thought to have been produced in quantity, then modified for individual use. Inscriptions were often added to identify the deceased.. Fragment of an Inscribed Stele 456144

Plate with Sabaean inscription. unknown, engraver

Greek dedication inscription; 88-80 BC (-88-00-00--80-00-00);

PIEZA DEL TEMPLO DE DEBOD: SILLAR CON TITULATURA DE ADIJALAMANI (200-180 A.C.).

Epigraphic plaque. Latin language. Clay. 1st century. Cursiva inscription contains the opening lines of the Aeneid by poet Virgil. Italica, Santiponce, Andalusia. National Archaeological Museum, Madrid. Spain.

South Arabia as a general term refers to several regions as currently recognized, in chief the Republic of Yemen; yet it has historically also included Najran, Jizan, and 'Asir which are presently in Saudi Arabia, and Dhofar presently in Oman. The frontiers of South Arabia as linguistically conceived would include the historic peoples speaking the related South Arabian languages as well as neighboring dialects of Arabic, and their descendants. Anciently there was a South Arabian alphabet, which was borrowed by Ethiopia. South Arabia as generally conceived would include the lands inhabited by peoples partaking of its distinctive traditions and culture, which overlap recently demarcated political boundaries. Yemen or al-yaman means 'the south'. One etymology derives Yemen from yamin the 'right side' as the south is on the right when facing the sunrise; yet this etymology is considered suspect. Another derives Yemen from yumn meaning 'felicity' as the region is fertile; indeed the Romans

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: Overall: 4 3/8 x 4 1/8 in. (11.1 x 10.5 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Brick with the inscription of King Salmanasar III; Salmanasar III (858-824 BC); 858-824 BC (-858-00-00--824-00-00);

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 2 15/16 in. (13.9 x 7.5 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Inscribed Stele 6th-7th century Funerary stelae from the Byzantine period in Egypt are thought to have been produced in quantity, then modified for individual use. Inscriptions were often added to identify the deceased.. Inscribed Stele. 6th-7th century. Limestone; incised. Found Egypt, Saqqara. Sculpture

Fragment from a Lintel or Frieze with a Foliate Square and Circle 6th-7th century In the 500s Apa (Father) Jeremias founded a Coptic monastery at Saqqara, the ancient Egyptian necropolis (cemetery) of the city of Memphis, near the oldest pyramids. He and the earliest monks lived in tombs at the site. As the monastery grew, several grand churches with lavish decoration were built, as well as many chapels, public buildings, and complexes of cells (rooms) for each monk. The monastery continued to grow after the Arab conquest with materials from early Byzantine tomb structures being reused for additional monastic structures. Inscriptions record prayers to numerous holy figures. Sculptural elements from Saqqara are often carved with deeply undercut patterns to intensify the play of light and shadow and to mask the solidity of the architecture. This sculptural style was popular throughout the Byzantine world in the 500s.. Fragment from a Lintel or Frieze with a Foliate Square and Circle 446

Stela nagrobna. unknown, author

Buddhist writing Tabo on stone Copyright: xBrijeshxSharma/DinodiaxPhotox

Epitaph of Protos, who " rests in the Holy Spirit of God" Dedicated by his sister Firmilla. Rome. Near Catacomb os s. Ermete. 3rd century AD. National Roman Museum. Batsh of Diocletian. Rome. Italy.

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. (8.5 x 5.7 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 3 7/16 x 3 9/16 in. (8.8 x 9 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Tombstone with the Latin Christian inscription; Unknown Roman workshop; IV-V century (390-00-00-410-00-00);

Epitafium Dii, córki Neuarute. nieznany warsztat egipski, nieznany skryptor, author

Fragment of plaster with inscription in the Old -Earth; XI-XV century (1001-00-00-1500-00-00);Faras (Sudan), Inscriptions, Staronub Inscriptions, Polish excavations in Faras (Sudan)

Ancient Cuneiform inscription at the Persepolis, Iran.

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 4 1/8 x 4 1/4 in. (10.4 x 10.8 cm). Date: 7th century. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Inscribed Stele 6th-7th century Funerary stelae from the Byzantine period in Egypt are thought to have been produced in quantity, then modified for individual use. Inscriptions were often added to identify the deceased.. Inscribed Stele 456148

Emilia-Romagna Ferrara Ferrara Museo Civico di Schifanoia3. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 General Notes: INCOMPLETE RECORD--NEGATIVES PROCESSED, PRINTS FILED German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Roman imperial period. Pedestal belonging to a headless white marble statue. Probably representing an Augusta (title given to members of the imperial family). Julio-Claudian epoch. Unknown provenance. 1st century AD. Inscription: "To Ceres Iulia Augusta (wife) of the divine Augustus and mother of Tiberius Caesar Augustus; Lutatia, daughter of Caius, priestess of Augusta (wife) of the imperator perpetuus, and wife of Marcus Livius Optatus of the Quirine tribe, son of Marcus and priest of Gozo, consecrated, together with her five children, while observing the sacred rites (this statue /inscription) to Iulia (wife) of Augustus, the imperator perpetuus. Gozo Museum of Archaeology. Cittadella de Victoria. Gozo, Malta.

Offering list stela ca. 1353-1336 B.C. New Kingdom, Amarna Period. Offering list stela 577104

Epitafium Tekli. nieznany skryptor, nieznany warsztat egipski, author

Gedeckte Kreuzfahrt Covered cruise, 16th - 17th century, Corera, La Rioja , Spain, Europe Copyright: xZoonar.com/Tolox 22946663

Cuneiform tablet: receipt of a goat ca. 2044 B.C. Neo-Sumerian. Cuneiform tablet: receipt of a goat 322453

Text scratched into metal complaining of the theft of "Vilbia" (Thought to be a woman, possibly a slave). Known as a curse this text lists possible culprits by name. Circa 1st-3rd century AD.

Limestone inscribed block Cypriot The block is inscribed in Greek with the names Drimokia and Timodoros. The same names appear on another block (74.51.2397).. Limestone inscribed block. Cypriot. Limestone. Cesnola Inscriptions

Ostrakon. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 2 3/4 x 2 15/16 in. (7 x 7.5 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Cuneiform tablet: account of silver disbursements, Ebabbar archive ca. 7th-6th century B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: account of silver disbursements, Ebabbar archive 321772

Epitaph of Bishop Stephanos, Bishop of Faras (July 14, 926). Detail. Faras, Sudan. Marble. Faras Gallery. National Museum, Warsaw, Poland.

Epitaph of Kollouthos. 7th-10th centuries. Sudan or South Egypt. Marble. Faras Gallery. National Museum, Warsaw, Poland.

Roman dedicatory inscription. Original unknown provenance. It was found beneath a statue overlooking the bridge close to the old gate of the Citadel. Second half of the 2nd century AD. "Marcius Marcianus at his own expenses in honour of his own best and dearest friend Cestius Gallus of the Pomptine tribe and son of Lucius, and in honour of Varenianus Lutatius Natalis Aemilianus, Patron of the Municipium". Gozo Museum of Archaeology. Cittadella de Victoria. Gozo, Malta.

Cegła z inskrypcją. unknown, author

Doria's writing. Gortyn Code. 5th century BC. Text carved on the wall of a Roman Odeion. Gortyn. Crete. Greece.

Ancient Egyptian inscriptions from the Coptic period. Dated 30 be

Grabstelen Funerary stela, III-IV centuries AD, Elorriaga, Lemoa, Arkeologi Museoa, museo aqueologico, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Pais Vasco, Spain Copyright: xZoonar.com/BartomeuxBalaguerxRotgerx 22845464

Łacińska inskrypcja nagrobna. unknown, author

Cuneiform tablet: fragment of school exercise tablet, Urra=hubullu, tablets 14, 20, 21 ca. late 1st millennium B.C.. Cuneiform tablet: fragment of school exercise tablet, Urra=hubullu, tablets 14, 20, 21 321925

Ostracon 30 B.C.-A.D. 364 Roman Period. Ostracon. 30 B.C.-A.D. 364. Pottery, ink. Roman Period. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Medinet Habu

Ostrakon 7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 474554

Stele with Liyanite dedication to the God Dhu Ghabat. 5th-2nd century BC. Red sandstone; 86x37x30cm al-'Ula. Departament of Archaeology Museum, King Saud University, Riyadh. Saudi Arabia. Pre-Islam.

Stone tablet with old Croatian writing, fishing village Valun, Cres Island, Adriatic Sea, Kvarner Bay, Croatia, Europe

INSCRIPCION en la fachada de la IGLESIA DE SAN VICENTE (SANT VICENÇ). BESALU. Comarca de la Garrotxa. Provincia de Girona. Cataluña.

Block with greek inscription of Hezykias. 7th century. Sandstone. Faras Gallery. National Museum, Warsaw, Poland.

Greek lettering on ancient ruins in Athens Greece

Titulus z grobowca Theodory, córki Dioskorosa. unknown, author

Ostrakon with a Letter from Isaac to Thello 600 Coptic. Ostrakon with a Letter from Isaac to Thello 474851

Abruzzo, L'Aquila, Preturo, General views, Italy, 20th century, photo, photography, Europe

Funerary Cone of the Scribe of Accounts Senemiah ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a man named Senemiah who was scribe of accounts of the bread of Upper and Lower Egypt. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 494.. Funerary Cone of the Scribe of Accounts Senemiah Funerary Cone of the Scribe of Accounts Senemiah ca. 1550-1295 B.C. New Kingdom This cone has the impression of a stamp seal inscribed for a man named Senemiah who was scribe of accounts of the bread of Upper and Lower Egypt. For a drawing of this impression see http://www.funerarycones.com/, number 494.. Funerary Cone of the Scribe of Accounts Senemiah. ca. 1550-1295 B.C.. Pottery. New Kingdom. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes. Dynasty 18

Fragmented gravestone with funerary inscription in Hebrew, 1095. Limestone. Height: 26 cm, width: 36 cm, thickness: 8 cm. From the Jewish cemetery of Puente Castro, province of León, Spain. National Archaeological Museum. Madrid. Spain.

Grecka inskrypcja dedykacyjna. unknown, author

Marble inscribed cippus. Roman. 1st C. AD. Found at Torrenova, near Rome. Funerary pillar records the death of freedman Saturninus. Museum Metropolitan of Art. Ny. USA.

Fragment of an Inscribed Column 6th-7th century. Fragment of an Inscribed Column 456184

ARAS ROMANAS DE ARGUINARIZ Y GARISOSIN S I A C. Location: CATEDRAL-MUSEO DIOCESANO. Pamplona.

Lazio Latina Terracina Museo Archeologico06. Hutzel, Max 1960-1990 Antiquities: Stone figures, both full-length and busts; ancient altars, sarcophagi, inscriptions and stone fragments from the Temple of Giove Anxur and from the ancient town. Object Notes: Hutzel campaign notes are undated. German-born photographer and scholar Max Hutzel (1911-1988) photographed in Italy from the early 1960s until his death. The result of this project, referred to by Hutzel as Foto Arte Minore, is thorough documentation of art historical development in Italy up to the 18th century, including objects of the Etruscans and the Romans, as well as early Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Images are organized by geographic region in Italy, then by province, city, site complex and monument.

Stone with Arabic and Latin characters on a wall in the castle courtyard

Ostrakon with a Letter from Isaac to Thello. Culture: Coptic. Dimensions: 5 5/8 x 5 5/16 in. (14.3 x 13.5 cm). Date: 600. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.

Ostrakon 4th-7th century Coptic. Ostrakon 478534

Epitafium Malchiona. unknown, author

Stone from the Dark or Bergse lock on the Steiger with text This confill must be paid for ... Huysengen, stone building component sandstone stone, minced Rectangular to the rear wider. Text in bas-relief This confluence must be made for the account of the city, and maintained for schielandts reghstaand masonry from the kay to the pavement of the huysengen lock Donkere-Sluis Scaffolding Hoogheemraadschap Schieland Rotterdam Stadscentrum Stadsdriehoek Originating from the Donkere Sluis at the Steiger Rotterdam.

LAPIDA FUNERARIA DEL CONDE WIFREDO II-EPOCA VISIGODA. Location: IGLESIA DE SAN PABLO DEL CAMPO. Barcelona. SPAIN. WIFREDO II BORELL.

Cuneiform tablet: fragment of a receipt for silver ca. 522-486 B.C. Achaemenid. Cuneiform tablet: fragment of a receipt for silver 321850

Celtic civilization, Italy, 6th century b.C. Inscription with dedication to the deities. Detail of Celtic alphabet. From Prestino, Como province.

Edicts of the governors Eutropius and Phaestus regarding the reconstruction of the city of Ephesus, after the earthquakes of 358 AD and 365 AD. Written in Greek. Ephesus. Turkey.

Cuneiform tablet: promissory note for silver, Esagilaya archive ca. 6th century B.C. Babylonian or Achaemenid. Cuneiform tablet: promissory note for silver, Esagilaya archive 321838

Baska tablet, Baska, island of Krk, Croatia (ca. 1100 AD). Copy. A part of the inscription contains the name of Abbot Drziha who claims that the Croatian king Zvonimir donated some land to the church of St. Lucija. Glagolitic alphabet. Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, Split, Croatia.

Syria. Palmyra city. Stone altar with inscription in cursive Palmyrene (dialect of Aramaic, Semitic alphabet). It was used between 100 BC-300 BC. (Photo taken before the Syrian Civil War).

Old gravestone carved in French writing and a skull and crossbones

Epitafium Walerii. unknown, author

Ostrakon grecki. Nieznany skryptor-kopista, author

Ostracon ca. 600-30 B.C. Late Period-Ptolemaic. Ostracon. ca. 600-30 B.C.. Pottery, ink. Late Period-Ptolemaic. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Medinet Habu

Tombstone of the Jewish merchant Rabbi Nissim from 1387

Cuneiform tablet: commodity issues for offerings, Ebabbar archive ca. 568 B.C. Babylonian. Cuneiform tablet: commodity issues for offerings, Ebabbar archive 321958

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