A Revised Reading of a Nabataean Inscription from Umm Al-Jimal

A revised interpretation of a Nabataean inscription from Umm Al-Jimāl challenges previous readings, offering new insights into the language and culture of the ancient Nabataeans. The study focuses on line two of an inscription analyzed by S. Said and M. al-Hamad (2003), proposing alternative translations that refine understanding of the text's historical context. By employing epigraphic analysis and comparative linguistic methods, the authors demonstrate how re-evaluating ambiguous or poorly preserved inscriptions can yield significant advancements in deciphering Nabataean script and semantics. This work contributes to ongoing efforts to reconstruct the epigraphic corpus of Umm Al-Jimāl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its Nabataean heritage.

Butts, A. M., & Hardy, H. H. (2010). A Revised Reading of a Nabataean Inscription from Umm Al-Jimal. Journal of Semitic Studies, 55(2), 385–389. https://doi.org/10.1093/jss/fgq004