Oldest Jewish find on the Iberian Peninsula

[Jean M]

Oldest Jewish archaeological evidence on the Iberian Peninsula
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120525103750.htm


Archaeologists have found one of the oldest artifacts of Jewish culture on the Iberian Peninsula at an excavation site in the south of Portugal, close to the city of Silves (Algarve). On a marble plate, measuring 40 by 60 centimeters, the name "Yehiel" can be read, followed by further letters which have not yet been deciphered. The Jena Archaeologists believe that the new discovery might be a tomb slab... Antlers, which were found very close to the tomb slab in the rubble gave a clue to the age determination. "The organic material of the antlers could be dated by radiocarbon analysis with certainty to about 390 AD," excavation leader Dr. Dennis Graen of the Jena University explains.

[Humanist]

Oldest Jewish archaeological evidence on the Iberian Peninsula
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120525103750.htm

Thanks, Jean. Interesting discovery. Also from the article:


The earliest archaeological evidence of Jewish inhabitants in the region of modern-day Portugal has so far also been a tomb slab with a Latin inscription and an image of a menorah -- a seven-armed chandelier -- from 482 AD. The earliest Hebrew inscriptions known until now date from the 6th or 7th Century AD.

[Mamluk]

A Hebrew artifact, older than the one found in Iberia, was recently found in Russia.

A Judean seal was found in the 2000-year old grave of a Sarmatian noblewoman, in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.
The seal, which was found resting on the woman's chest, is even many centuries older than the tomb it was found in.
The seal is engraved with the name "Elyashib."

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.682980

[Erik]

A Hebrew artifact, older than the one found in Iberia, was recently found in Russia.

A Judean seal was found in the 2000-year old grave of a Sarmatian noblewoman, in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.
The seal, which was found resting on the woman's chest, is even many centuries older than the tomb it was found in.
The seal is engraved with the name "Elyashib."

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.682980

It reminds me of how an Islamic ring showed up at a viking grave :)