Oldest Chinese inscription discovered in Israel at Mount Zion

Archaeologists recently unearthed the oldest known Chinese inscription at the holy site of Mount Zion, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

This inscription, found on a porcelain bowl, was discovered during a joint excavation between the IAA and the Protestant Institute of Archaeology. The object illustrates “the relationship between the Land of Israel and China,” as stated in a statement released by the agency this month.

According to the IAA, the porcelain bowl dates from the 16th century. Its inscription reads: “Forever we will guard the eternal spring,” and was seen protruding from the earth by an excavator.

“This summer, during routine procedures for the upcoming excavation season, Michael Chernin, an archaeologist with the Authority, suddenly noticed a colorful object emerging from the earth cleared during preparations,” the IAA reported. “When Michael took the item out and washed it, he recognized that there was an inscription on its bottom.”

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The IAA reported that many of the artifacts discovered during the excavation date from the Second Temple period to the Byzantine era, but that the recently found porcelain bowl had an “unexpected origin.”

This bowl, probably produced during the Ming dynasty between 1520 and 1570, testifies to the commercial relations between Imperial China and the Ottoman Empire. It is the first bowl found in Israel to contain a Chinese inscription, although other ancient Chinese pottery has been discovered.

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“According to the annals of the Ming dynasty, around 20 official Ottoman delegations 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 merchant travel books of this era.”

“Thus, the writings of Chinese scholar Ma Li from 1541 mention Chinese merchant colonies in Lebanese coastal cities like Beirut and Tripoli. The work even mentions other important cities in the region such as Jerusalem, Cairo and Aleppo.”

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The artifact shows “the relationship between the Land of Israel and China” and was “excavated in Jerusalem on Mount Zion,” according to the IAA. (Israel Antiquities Authority via Facebook)

According to some Christian traditions, the Last Supper took place in the upper room, or Upper Room, of Mount Zion. In the New Testament, Mount Zion is also described as a symbol of God’s promises.

This site also holds religious significance for Jews, as the Ark of the Covenant was kept there during the reign of King David.

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The centuries-old Chinese bowl is evidence of trade between Imperial China and the Ottomans. (Israel Antiquities Authority via Facebook)

“In archaeological research, it is documented that trade relations existed between merchants from the Land of Israel and the Far East even from older periods – for example, regarding various spices,” said Eli Escusido, director of the IAA. “But it is fascinating to discover evidence of these connections in the form of an inscription, written in Chinese, in such an unexpected place as Mount Zion in Jerusalem!”

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