The Early Alphabetic Inscriptions Found by the Shrine of Hathor at Serabit el-Khadem: Palaeography, Materiality, and Agency

Orly Goldwasser*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Only four Proto-Sinaitic alphabetic inscriptions, all on small portable objects, were found in the temple precinct in Serabit el-Khadem, all by the shrine of Hathor. Most of the other (around 30) Proto-Sinaitic inscriptions are rock graffiti found inside and around the mines. In the first part of the article, I present the four finds bearing the alphabetic inscriptions, offering a detailed palaeographic analysis of each inscription. The second part of the article considers the objects themselves, their forms, and their possible cultural role in the world of their users.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14-48
Number of pages35
JournalIsrael Exploration Journal
Volume72
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

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© 2022 Israel Exploration Society. All rights reserved.

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