Aramaic text found in Dead Sea cave

[guy]

 

In 2023, four Roman swords from the Second Temple period, dating to the Bar Kochba Revolt of the second century AD, were discovered in a cave in the Judean Desert near Ein Gedi (see post below). Four lines of Aramaic text have also been found on a stalactite inside the cave.

 

📜 Discovery Overview

Archaeologists discovered a four-line Aramaic inscription in a Dead Sea cave near Ein Gedi National Park, Israel.

Written in square Hebrew script, the inscription begins: “Abba of Naburya has perished.”

Likely connected to the Bar Kochba revolt (132–135 CE), a significant Jewish uprising against Roman rule.

🗡️ Artifacts and Context

Found just inches away from four Roman swords—three still sheathed—and a Bar Kochba coin.

The cave, too small for habitation, might have served as a guerrilla outpost for Judean rebels.

The swords were probably taken from Roman soldiers and hidden to prevent detection.

🧠 Linguistic and Historical Significance

The inscription is among the most comprehensive texts from the Judean Desert outside the Dead Sea Scrolls.

“Abba” was a common Jewish name; “Naburya" denotes a village in Galilee close to modern-day Safed.

Partial words such as “on us,” “he took,” and “the” have been identified, although complete decipherment is still in progress.

The script style became widespread between the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE as Aramaic emerged as the region’s lingua franca.

🔍 Research and Future Exploration

Discovered in 2023 during an expedition that used multispectral imaging to photograph a nearby inscription from the First Temple period.

Led by researchers from Ariel University, Tel Aviv University, and Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The team is currently surveying nearby caves and has already found additional inscription fragments.

A comprehensive academic publication is being prepared.

🏞️ Broader Context

The Judean Desert’s dry climate and remote caves have preserved countless artifacts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls.

 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/abba-of-naburya-has-perished-unique-1900-year-old-inscription-found-in-dead-sea-cave/

 

https://arkeonews.net/rare-1900-year-old-aramaic-inscription-discovered-in-dead-sea-cave-near-ein-gedi/

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 2025 by guy