Misplaced Pages

Pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 04:16, 23 December 2024 editPogenplain (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,121 editsNo edit summaryTag: Visual edit← Previous edit Revision as of 05:10, 23 December 2024 edit undoPogenplain (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,121 editsNo edit summaryTag: Visual editNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions''' refer to ] (]<nowiki/>s inscribed on stone or other hard surfaces) from ], or the ] prior to the origins of ] in the early seventh century. These inscriptions are a major source for learning about the history and culture of this region and period. Over 65,000 pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions have already been discovered from surfaces ranging from stone, metal, pottery, and wood, demonstrating high rates of literacy among both nomadic and settled populations.{{Sfn|MacDonald|2015|p=1}} '''Pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions''' refer to ] (]<nowiki/>s inscribed on stone or other hard surfaces) from ], or the ] prior to the origins of ] in the early seventh century. These inscriptions are a major source for learning about the history and culture of this region and period. They include inscriptions in both the ] and non-Arabic languages that were used in pre-Islamic Arabia. Over 65,000 pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions have already been discovered from surfaces ranging from stone, metal, pottery, and wood, demonstrating high rates of literacy among both nomadic and settled populations.{{Sfn|MacDonald|2015|p=1}}


Pre-Islamic inscriptions can be categorized into one of two types: ], which are "self-authored personal expressions written in a public space",{{Sfn|Al-Jallad|2022|p=7}} and monumental inscriptions, which are inscriptions whose creation would have been commissioned to serve an official role.{{Sfn|MacDonald|2015|p=3}} Both served a public role.{{Sfn|MacDonald|2015|p=3–4}} Unlike modern graffiti, the graffiti described in the study of pre-Islamic inscriptions are usually signed (as opposed to being anonymous) and were not used for an illicit or subversive purpose. Graffiti are usually just scratchings on the surface of rock, but both graffiti and monumental inscriptions could be produced by painting, or the use of a chisel, charcoal, brush, or the use of other methods. Inscriptions are typically lapidary (as opposed to portable) and engraved (instead of painted).{{Sfn|Lindstedt|2023|p=12–14}} Pre-Islamic inscriptions can be categorized into one of two types: ], which are "self-authored personal expressions written in a public space",{{Sfn|Al-Jallad|2022|p=7}} and monumental inscriptions, which are inscriptions whose creation would have been commissioned to serve an official role.{{Sfn|MacDonald|2015|p=3}} Both served a public role.{{Sfn|MacDonald|2015|p=3–4}} Unlike modern graffiti, the graffiti described in the study of pre-Islamic inscriptions are usually signed (as opposed to being anonymous) and were not used for an illicit or subversive purpose. Graffiti are usually just scratchings on the surface of rock, but both graffiti and monumental inscriptions could be produced by painting, or the use of a chisel, charcoal, brush, or the use of other methods. Inscriptions are typically lapidary (as opposed to portable) and engraved (instead of painted).{{Sfn|Lindstedt|2023|p=12–14}}


There are three scripts represented in pre-Islamic inscriptions: ] (ASA), ] (ANA), and ]. Despite the prevalence of each script in different times, all but the Nabataean tradition died out by the sixth century. Furthermore, it is now widely accepted that the Nabataean script is the precursor of the ] through a ] transitional phase.{{Sfn|Donner|2022|p=1–7}} The ] itself is first attested in inscriptions from the early first millennium BC (in ]). The pre-Islamic phase of the Arabic language is called ] and inscriptions in this Arabic were primarily written down in the following scripts: ], ], ], Nabataean Arabic, ]. In addition, a handful of Arabic inscriptions are known in the ], ], and Ancient South Arabian scripts.{{Sfn|Al-Jallad|2020|p=37–38}} There are three scripts represented in pre-Islamic inscriptions: ] (ASA), ] (ANA), and ]. Despite the prevalence of each script in different times, all but the Nabataean tradition died out by the sixth century. Furthermore, it is now widely accepted that the Nabataean script is the precursor of the ] through a ] transitional phase.{{Sfn|Donner|2022|p=1–7}} The Arabic language itself is first attested in inscriptions from the early first millennium BC (in ]). The pre-Islamic phase of the Arabic language is called ] and inscriptions in this Arabic were primarily written down in the following scripts: ], ], ], Nabataean Arabic, ]. In addition, a handful of Arabic inscriptions are known in the ], ], and Ancient South Arabian scripts.{{Sfn|Al-Jallad|2020|p=37–38}} The study of pre-Islamic Arabic inscriptions has been used in ] to inform the understanding of the meaning and evolution of words in the ].{{Sfn|Sinai|2023|p=7–8}}


Certain challenges exist in studying pre-Islamic Arabia with inscriptions. First, not all communities expressed themselves through a culture of inscribing their writings on rock. Second, the content of inscriptions is often formulaic. Nevertheless, many formula were used and the phrasings become formula (widely employed) because they help encode the beliefs and attitudes of the authors. Third, inscriptions can be destroyed by weather or human activity. Therefore, inscriptions known today may not be a full representation of those originally created.{{Sfn|Lindstedt|2023|p=11–12}} Certain challenges exist in studying pre-Islamic Arabia with inscriptions. First, not all communities expressed themselves through a culture of inscribing their writings on rock. Second, the content of inscriptions is often formulaic. Nevertheless, many formula were used and the phrasings become formula (widely employed) because they help encode the beliefs and attitudes of the authors. Third, inscriptions can be destroyed by weather or human activity. Therefore, inscriptions known today may not be a full representation of those originally created.{{Sfn|Lindstedt|2023|p=11–12}}
Line 33: Line 33:
* {{Cite book |last=Lindstedt |first=Ilkka |title=Muhammad and His Followers in Context: The Religious Map of Late Antique Arabia |date=2023 |publisher=Brill}} * {{Cite book |last=Lindstedt |first=Ilkka |title=Muhammad and His Followers in Context: The Religious Map of Late Antique Arabia |date=2023 |publisher=Brill}}
* {{Cite journal |last=MacDonald |first=Michael C.A. |date=2015 |title=On the Uses of Writing in Ancient Arabia and the Role of Palaeography in Studying Them |url=https://www.academia.edu/12264189/On_the_uses_of_writing_in_ancient_Arabia_and_the_role_of_palaeography_in_studying_them |journal=Arabian Epigraphic Notes |volume=1 |pages=1–50}} * {{Cite journal |last=MacDonald |first=Michael C.A. |date=2015 |title=On the Uses of Writing in Ancient Arabia and the Role of Palaeography in Studying Them |url=https://www.academia.edu/12264189/On_the_uses_of_writing_in_ancient_Arabia_and_the_role_of_palaeography_in_studying_them |journal=Arabian Epigraphic Notes |volume=1 |pages=1–50}}
* {{Cite book |last=Sinai |first=Nicolai |title=Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary |date=2023 |publisher=Princeton University Press}}


== External links == == External links ==

Revision as of 05:10, 23 December 2024

Pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions refer to inscriptions (writings inscribed on stone or other hard surfaces) from pre-Islamic Arabia, or the Arabian Peninsula prior to the origins of Islam in the early seventh century. These inscriptions are a major source for learning about the history and culture of this region and period. They include inscriptions in both the Arabic and non-Arabic languages that were used in pre-Islamic Arabia. Over 65,000 pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions have already been discovered from surfaces ranging from stone, metal, pottery, and wood, demonstrating high rates of literacy among both nomadic and settled populations.

Pre-Islamic inscriptions can be categorized into one of two types: graffiti, which are "self-authored personal expressions written in a public space", and monumental inscriptions, which are inscriptions whose creation would have been commissioned to serve an official role. Both served a public role. Unlike modern graffiti, the graffiti described in the study of pre-Islamic inscriptions are usually signed (as opposed to being anonymous) and were not used for an illicit or subversive purpose. Graffiti are usually just scratchings on the surface of rock, but both graffiti and monumental inscriptions could be produced by painting, or the use of a chisel, charcoal, brush, or the use of other methods. Inscriptions are typically lapidary (as opposed to portable) and engraved (instead of painted).

There are three scripts represented in pre-Islamic inscriptions: Ancient South Arabian (ASA), Ancient North Arabian (ANA), and Nabataean. Despite the prevalence of each script in different times, all but the Nabataean tradition died out by the sixth century. Furthermore, it is now widely accepted that the Nabataean script is the precursor of the Arabic script through a Nabataean Arabic transitional phase. The Arabic language itself is first attested in inscriptions from the early first millennium BC (in cuneiform). The pre-Islamic phase of the Arabic language is called Old Arabic and inscriptions in this Arabic were primarily written down in the following scripts: Safaitic, Hismaic, Nabataean Aramaic, Nabataean Arabic, Paleo-Arabic. In addition, a handful of Arabic inscriptions are known in the Greek, Dadanitic, and Ancient South Arabian scripts. The study of pre-Islamic Arabic inscriptions has been used in Quranic studies to inform the understanding of the meaning and evolution of words in the Quran.

Certain challenges exist in studying pre-Islamic Arabia with inscriptions. First, not all communities expressed themselves through a culture of inscribing their writings on rock. Second, the content of inscriptions is often formulaic. Nevertheless, many formula were used and the phrasings become formula (widely employed) because they help encode the beliefs and attitudes of the authors. Third, inscriptions can be destroyed by weather or human activity. Therefore, inscriptions known today may not be a full representation of those originally created.

Scripts

There are three scripts that were used to write down pre-Islamic inscriptions:

  1. Ancient South Arabian (ASA): includes Sabaic, Minaic, Qatabanic, and Ḥaḍramitic
  2. Ancient North Arabian (ANA): includes all South Semitic scripts not covered by ASA, such as Taymanitic or Thamudic B
  3. Nabataean

The ASA script was written in one of two forms, known as the monumental and the minuscule form. The monumental form was created on hard surfaces (as proper inscriptions) such as bronze or rock. The minuscule form was created on perishable surfaces like palm-bark or sticks (examples of these were only discovered in recent years from South Arabia). More perishable surfaces were the ones utilized for day-to-day documents. Unlike ASA, ANA is not a homogeneous group. The designation refers to a wide number of scripts representing many languages which have yet to be properly classified and distinguished.

See also

References

Citations

  1. MacDonald 2015, p. 1.
  2. Al-Jallad 2022, p. 7.
  3. MacDonald 2015, p. 3.
  4. MacDonald 2015, p. 3–4.
  5. Lindstedt 2023, p. 12–14.
  6. Donner 2022, p. 1–7.
  7. Al-Jallad 2020, p. 37–38.
  8. Sinai 2023, p. 7–8.
  9. Lindstedt 2023, p. 11–12.
  10. Donner 2022, p. 1–4.
  11. MacDonald 2015, p. 2.
  12. Al-Jallad 2020b, p. 112–113.

Sources

External links

  • DASI (Digital Archive for the Study of pre-Islamic Arabian Inscriptions)
  • DiCoNab (The Digital Corpus of the Nabataean and Developing Arabic Inscriptions)
  • OCIANA (Online Corpus of the Inscriptions of Ancient North Arabia)
Categories: