Archaeologists have discovered a rare inscription at a biblically significant site in Jerusalem.
The Chinese inscription, dated to the 16th century, was spotted on a porcelain bowl fragment found on Mount Zion, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said in a statement.
Mount Zion is home to the Cenacle, a room traditionally thought to be the place where Jesus shared the Last Supper. The ground floor of the same building is also believed to house the tomb of the biblical King David, according to medieval tradition. However, the actual location of the burial is a matter of historical and religious debate.
The inscription on the recently discovered porcelain fragment reads: “Forever we will guard the eternal spring.” According to the IAA, the artifact represents the earliest known Chinese inscription found in Israel.
“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, of various spices. But it is fascinating to meet evidence of these relations also in the form of an actual inscription, written in the Chinese language, and in an unexpected place—on Mount Zion in Jerusalem,” IAA director Eli Escusido said in a statement.
The porcelain fragment came to light during excavations conducted over the past three years on Mount Zion by the IAA in collaboration with the German Protestant Institute of Archeology.
The majority of finds uncovered by these investigations date to the Byzantine period (roughly the 4th-7th centuries) and earlier to the Second Temple period (516 B.C.-A.D. 70). But the porcelain fragment originates from a much later period and has an unexpected origin, making it a surprising find within this context.
The colorful porcelain bowl fragment is thought to date from 1520 to 1570 and appears to have originated in China’s Ming dynasty.
The Ming dynasty—lasting from A.D. 1368 to 1644—ruled China following the overthrow of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. Founded by Emperor Hongwu, the dynasty is known for restoring Han Chinese governance and promoting Confucian values.
The Ming era saw significant cultural, technological and maritime advancements in China, including the construction of the Forbidden City. It is also renowned for its contributions to literature and arts and its attempts to implement effective governance.
Ultimately, it collapsed due to internal strife, corruption and peasant rebellions, paving the way for the rise of the Qing dynasty.
Historical sources indicated that the Chinese Empire had close trade relations with the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Israel at the time, during the 16th century. This may explain the presence of the porcelain bowl fragment found on Mount Zion.
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