Archaeologists recently discovered the oldest known Chinese inscription on the holy site of Mount Zion, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The inscription was found on a porcelain bowl and was discovered during joint excavations by the IAA and the Protestant Institute of Archaeology. The agency said in a press release this month that the artifacts demonstrate “the relationship between the Land of Israel and China.”
According to the IAA, the history of this porcelain bowl dates back to the 16th century. The inscription reads, “We will protect the Eternal Spring forever,” and it was found poking out of the soil by an excavator.
“This summer, during routine procedures in preparation for the upcoming excavation season, Michael Chernin, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, noticed colorful objects protruding from the soil that had been removed during site preparation. I made this sudden discovery,” the IAA post said. . “When Michael took the object out and washed it, he noticed an inscription on the bottom of it.”
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The oldest known Chinese inscription discovered in Israel was recently discovered at the holy site of Mount Zion. (Israel Antiquities Authority, via Facebook)
The IAA reported that while many of the excavation's finds date back to the Second Temple and Byzantine periods, the newly discovered porcelain bowl has an “unexpected origin.”
This bowl is thought to have been manufactured between 1520 and 1570 during the Ming Dynasty and symbolizes the trade relationship between the Chinese Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Although other ancient Chinese pottery has been discovered, this is the first bowl with Chinese inscriptions found in Israel.
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This bowl was probably manufactured during the Ming Dynasty between 1520 and 1570. (Israel Antiquities Authority, via Facebook)
“According to Ming Dynasty chronicles, approximately 20 official Ottoman envoys visited the imperial court in Beijing between the 15th and 17th centuries,” the Facebook post said. “Trade relations between these empires are also described in the travelogues of merchants from this period.”
“Therefore, the 1541 work of the sinologist Ma Li describes Chinese merchant colonies in Lebanese coastal cities such as Beirut and Tripoli. It also mentions other important cities.
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The IAA said the artifacts show “China's relationship with the Land of Israel” and were “discovered on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.” (Israel Antiquities Authority, via Facebook)
According to certain Christian traditions, the Last Supper is said to have been held in the Upper Room, or Cenacle, of Mount Zion. In the New Testament, mountains are also depicted as symbols of God's promises.
This site is also of religious importance to the Jews, as the Ark of the Covenant was kept on Mount Zion during the reign of King David.
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Centuries-old Chinese bowls are evidence of trade between imperial China and the Ottoman Empire. (Israel Antiquities Authority, via Facebook)
“Archaeological research shows evidence of trade links between merchants in the Land of Israel and the Far East, for example for various spices, from early times,” IAA Director Eli Escucid said in a statement. said. “However, it is interesting that evidence of these connections was found in the form of actual inscriptions written in Chinese, and in an unexpected location: Mount Zion in Jerusalem!”
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