Archaeologists recently discovered the oldest known Chinese inscription at the sacred site of Mount Zion, according to the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The inscription, found on a porcelain bowl, was discovered during a joint excavation between the IAA and the Protestant Institute of Archaeology. The artifact demonstrates “the relationship between the Land of Israel and China,” said a press release issued by the agency this month.
According to the IAA, the porcelain bowl dates from the 16th century. The inscription reads: “Forever we will guard the eternal spring”, and was seen emerging from the sand by an excavator.
“Last summer, during routine procedures for the upcoming excavation season, Michael Chernin, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, suddenly noticed a colorful object protruding from the dirt cleared during site preparation,” reads the IAA notice. . “When Michael took the object out and washed it, he recognized that there was an inscription on the bottom.”
The oldest known Chinese inscription found in Israel was recently discovered at the holy site of Mount Zion. (Israeli Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
The IAA reported that many of the excavation’s findings date back to the Second Temple period to the Byzantine era, but that the newly discovered porcelain bowl had an ‘unexpected origin’.
The bowl, which was probably produced during the Ming Dynasty between 1520 and 1570, is emblematic of trade relations between Imperial China and the Ottoman Empire. It is the first bowl found in Israel to contain a Chinese inscription, although other ancient Chinese pottery has also been found.
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The bowl was probably produced during the Ming Dynasty between 1520 and 1570. (Israeli Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
“According to the annals of the Ming dynasty, approximately twenty official Ottoman delegations visited the imperial court in Beijing during the 15th to 17th centuries,” the Facebook post reads. “The trade relations between these empires are also described in travel books of merchants of this period.”
“For example, the writings of the Chinese scholar Ma Li from 1541 mention colonies of Chinese merchants in Lebanese coastal cities such as Beirut and Tripoli. The work even mentions other important cities in the region, such as Jerusalem, Cairo and Aleppo.”
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The artifact shows “the relationship between the country of Israel and China” and was “discovered in Jerusalem on Mount Zion,” the IAA said. (Israeli Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
According to certain Christian traditions, the Last Supper would have been held in the upper room, or Cenacle, of Mount Zion. In the New Testament, the mountain is also described as symbolic of God’s promises.
The site is also religiously important to Jews, as the Ark of the Covenant was kept on Mount Zion during the reign of King David.
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The ancient Chinese bowl is evidence of trade between Imperial China and the Ottomans. (Israeli Antiquities Authority via Facebook)
“Archaeological research shows that even from earlier periods there are trade relations between merchants in the land of Israel and the Far East – for example, of various spices,” IAA director Eli Escusido said in a statement. “But it is fascinating to encounter evidence of these relationships, including in the form of an actual inscription, written in the Chinese language, and in an unexpected place – on Mount Zion in Jerusalem!”
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