Israel Keeps Ancient Relics of the Prophet Solomon, Here's What They Look Like
- After more than a decade, archaeologists have succeeded in deciphering the meaning of words engraved on a fragment of the neck of a jug left over from the reign of King Solomon in Ancient Israel.
Reporting from Live Science, through a study published in the Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology, archaeologists revealed that the words carved on the neck of the jug mean "Ladanium 5".
"Ladanium 5" is a word that refers to the sap of an aromatic plant used to make incense or incense, namely Labdanum or Cistus Ladanifer.
Archaeologists say that the writing was carved using Old South Arabian script in the Sabaean language. Generally, the Sabaean language was spoken in Biblical times in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the Kingdom of Sheba which is now Yemen.
Archaeologists believe this writing to be the oldest writing written using Old South Arabic script found in Israel.
Apart from the fragments of the "Ladanium 5" jug, experts also found six other large jugs during excavations or excavations for ancient objects in 2012 in Ophel, Jerusalem, Israel. Allegedly, this piece of jug comes from the 10th century BC (BC).
In their research report, the researchers considered that the jugs were a sign of "clear ties" between King Salman and the Kingdom of Sheba.
"This jug was made locally and the words were carved by a speaker of the Babaean language which has a connection with frankincense," said study author and archaeologist at Ben-Gurion University in Israel, Daniel Vainstub, quoted Monday (16/10/2023).
"This proves the strong relationship between the two kingdoms," continued Vainstub.
According to the research, the Kingdom of Sheba played an important role in cultivating the plants needed to produce perfume and incense.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Solomon's Kingdom controlled the trade routes that crossed the Negev desert to the Mediterranean docks, where goods were exported.
"Deciphering the inscription on this jug teaches us not only about the presence of a Sabaean speaker in Israel during the time of King Solomon, but also about the system of geopolitical relations in our region at that time," said Vainstub.
"Especially when considering the place where the jug was found, namely in an area that was also known as an administrative center during the time of King Solomon. This is evidence of extensive trade and cultural ties between Israel under King Solomon and the Kingdom of Sheba," he continued.
Israel Simpan Peninggalan Kuno Nabi Sulaiman, Ini Bentuknya
- Setelah lebih dari satu dekade, para arkeolog berhasil memecahkan arti kata yang terukir di pecahan leher kendi peninggalan pemerintahan Raja Sulaiman di Israel Kuno.
Melansir dari Live Science, melalui studi yang dipublikasikan Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology para arkeolog mengungkapkan bahwa kata yang diukir di leher kendi memiliki arti "Ladanium 5".
"Ladanium 5" adalah kata yang merujuk pada getah tanaman aromatik yang digunakan untuk membuat dupa atau kemenyan, yakni Labdanum atau Cistus Ladanifer.
Para arkeolog mengatakan bahwa tulisan tersebut diukir menggunakan aksara Arab Selatan Kuno dalam bahasa Sabaean. Umumnya, bahasa Sabaean digunakan pada zaman Alkitab di Semenanjung Arab, tepatnya Kerajaan Sheba yang kini menjadi Yaman.
Tulisan ini pun diyakini para arkeolog sebagai tulisan tertua yang ditulis menggunakan aksara Arab Selatan Kuno yang ditemukan di Israel.
Selain pecahan kendi "Ladanium 5", para ahli juga menemukan enam kendi besar lain saat ekskavasi atau penggalian benda purbakala pada 2012 di Ophel, Jerusalem, Israel. Diduga, potongan kendi ini berasal dari abad ke-10 Sebelum Masehi (SM).
Dalam laporan penelitiannya, para peneliti menganggap bahwa kendi-kendi tersebut adalah tanda "hubungan yang jelas" antara Raja Salman dan Kerajaan Sheba.
"Kendi ini dibuat secara lokal dan kata tersebut diukir oleh seorang penutur bahasa Babaean yang memiliki hubungan dengan kemenyan," ujar penulis studi sekaligus arkeolog di Ben-Gurion University di Israel, Daniel Vainstub, dikutip Senin (16/10/2023).
"Ini membuktikan hubungan yang kuat di antara kedua kerajaan tersebut," lanjut Vainstub.
Menurut penelitian tersebut, Kerajaan Sheba berperan penting dalam membudidayakan tanaman yang dibutuhkan untuk memproduksi parfum dan dupa.
Sementara itu di saat yang sama, Kerajaan Sulaiman mengontrol rute perdagangan yang melintasi gurun Negev menuju dermaga Mediterania, yakni tempat barang-barang diekspor.
"Menguraikan prasasti di kendi ini mengajarkan kita tidak hanya tentang kehadiran seorang penutur Sabaean di Israel pada masa Raja Sulaiman, tetapi juga tentang sistem hubungan geopolitik di wilayah kita pada waktu itu," tutur Vainstub.
"Terutama bila mengingat tempat di mana kendi ditemukan, yakni di daerah yang juga dikenal sebagai pusat administrasi pada zaman Raja Sulaiman. Ini adalah bukti dari ikatan perdagangan dan budaya yang luas antara Israel di bawah Raja Sulaiman dan Kerajaan Sheba" lanjutnya.