Jaussen-Savignac 17: The Earliest Dated Arabic Document (A.D. 267)1

A previously overlooked inscription at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra (al-Hijr/Madāʿin Ṣāliḥ) has been reclassified as the earliest dated Arabic document, dating to A.D. 267. This challenges prior assumptions that it was Aramaic. The study, conducted during fieldwork in Madāʿin Ṣāliḥ with support from Saudi authorities, employs philological analysis to argue for its Arabic origin. While a fuller examination of the text's history and context is planned for future work, this finding marks a significant advancement in understanding early Arabic epigraphy at this ancient site.

Healey, J. F., & Smith, G. R. (2023). Jaussen-Savignac 17: The Earliest Dated Arabic Document (A.D. 267)1. Law and Religion between Petra and Edessa, VII–VI1. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003420675-7