DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49270#0282
AN INSCRIPTION FROM GEBEL BARKAL
G. A. Reisner, Ph.D.
[G. A. Reisner, in a brief letter dated Kareymah, Dec. 12, 1916, generously forwarded for publication
in this volume the barbaric inscription in Greek letters reproduced on the accompanying plate. Despite
its shortness, the document is one of some interest because of the possibility that it owes its origin to the
“X-Group” people, of whom the archaeological remains were first distinguished in 1908 during the initial
year of the Archaeological Survey of Nubia, and whom, during the course of our excavations at Gammai
(Second Cataract) Dows Dunham and I were fortunately able to identify conclusively with the Blem-
myes.1
In his letter Reisner regretted that he was unable to send a larger photograph of the inscription;
he wrote from the field, where he was much occupied with the work of excavation, and where he lacked
the books that might have enabled him, had he found time to use them, to identify the language of the
text. I have not myself had an opportunity to make any researches in this direction, but I have ventured
to append to Reisner’s brief statement regarding the finding of the inscription a short note which was
hastily made after this volume was already in the press. Ed.]
The accompanying inscription was found at Gebel Barkal in our trench “Barkal
500 A”. It was discovered in the upper debris north of the first pylon of the Great Temple
(“Barkal 500”) on Feb. 22, 1916. Register no. 16-2-152. The slab is a grave stela
belonging to the late pre-Christian cemetery 500, of which only five graves have thus far
been excavated. The pottery from these graves appears to resemble that of the X-Group.
I would tentatively estimate the date of the stela as being between 300 and 500 A.D.
The photograph which I send is the only one now by me — it is C. 7118, taken March 4,
1916, at Gebel Barkal. G. A. Reisner.
[The initial cross suggests that the stela is of Christian origin despite the fact of its being found in a
cemetery of pagan character. This suggestion is strengthened by the conclusion of the text. Although
obscure, the reading is almost certainly ANAIIAT20N as given in the copy. From the bottom of the
first H in line 9, to a point just to the left of the 0 in line 11 ran a transverse scoring on the face of the
slab before the last lines were cut. This line has been in part removed (in the region of the EN or EAI
of line 10) owing to intentional or accidental wearing down of the surface. ANAIIAT2EI or -SON
1 The report on the work at Gammai is now in preparation and is soon to be published in this series.
G. A. Reisner, Ph.D.
[G. A. Reisner, in a brief letter dated Kareymah, Dec. 12, 1916, generously forwarded for publication
in this volume the barbaric inscription in Greek letters reproduced on the accompanying plate. Despite
its shortness, the document is one of some interest because of the possibility that it owes its origin to the
“X-Group” people, of whom the archaeological remains were first distinguished in 1908 during the initial
year of the Archaeological Survey of Nubia, and whom, during the course of our excavations at Gammai
(Second Cataract) Dows Dunham and I were fortunately able to identify conclusively with the Blem-
myes.1
In his letter Reisner regretted that he was unable to send a larger photograph of the inscription;
he wrote from the field, where he was much occupied with the work of excavation, and where he lacked
the books that might have enabled him, had he found time to use them, to identify the language of the
text. I have not myself had an opportunity to make any researches in this direction, but I have ventured
to append to Reisner’s brief statement regarding the finding of the inscription a short note which was
hastily made after this volume was already in the press. Ed.]
The accompanying inscription was found at Gebel Barkal in our trench “Barkal
500 A”. It was discovered in the upper debris north of the first pylon of the Great Temple
(“Barkal 500”) on Feb. 22, 1916. Register no. 16-2-152. The slab is a grave stela
belonging to the late pre-Christian cemetery 500, of which only five graves have thus far
been excavated. The pottery from these graves appears to resemble that of the X-Group.
I would tentatively estimate the date of the stela as being between 300 and 500 A.D.
The photograph which I send is the only one now by me — it is C. 7118, taken March 4,
1916, at Gebel Barkal. G. A. Reisner.
[The initial cross suggests that the stela is of Christian origin despite the fact of its being found in a
cemetery of pagan character. This suggestion is strengthened by the conclusion of the text. Although
obscure, the reading is almost certainly ANAIIAT20N as given in the copy. From the bottom of the
first H in line 9, to a point just to the left of the 0 in line 11 ran a transverse scoring on the face of the
slab before the last lines were cut. This line has been in part removed (in the region of the EN or EAI
of line 10) owing to intentional or accidental wearing down of the surface. ANAIIAT2EI or -SON
1 The report on the work at Gammai is now in preparation and is soon to be published in this series.