Bad news for Palestinians from 3000 years ago

CNN:

An Israeli archaeologist has discovered what he says is the earliest-known Hebrew text, found on a shard of pottery that dates to the time of King David from the Old Testament, about 3,000 years ago.

Professor Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says the inscribed pottery shard -- known as an ostracon -- was found during excavations of a fortress from the 10th century BC.

Carbon dating of the ostracon, along with pottery analysis, dates the inscription to time of King David, about a millennium earlier than the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, the university said.

The shard contains five lines of text divided by black lines and measures 15 by 15 centimeters, or about 6 inches square.

Archaeologists have yet to decipher the text, but initial interpretation indicates it formed part of a letter and contains the roots of the words "judge," "slave," and "king," according to the university. That may indicate it was a legal text, which archaeologists say would provide insights into Hebrew law, society, and beliefs.

The researchers say the text was clearly written by a trained scribe.

The shard was discovered at the Elah Fortress in Khirbet Qeiyafa, about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The fortress, measuring 2.3 hectares (about 5.7 acres), is the earliest-known fortified city of the biblical period in Israel.

Excavations began there in June. So far, just four percent of the site has been excavated, the university said.

Because the ostracon is similar to that found in other Israelite settlements, and because no pig bones were found at the site, archaeologists say the site was likely part of the Kingdom of Judea. Jewish dietary laws forbid the eating of pork.

Among the artifacts found at the site are more than 100 jar handles bearing distinct impressions which may indicate a link to royal vessels, the university said. Such a large quantity found in such a small area is "unprecedented," the university said.

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Palestinians have claimed that there is no historical record of Jews in Israel. I suspect they make this claim based on their religious bigotry instead of any scientific basis. It was not by accident that 2000 years ago, Herod was called King of the Jews and not King of the Palestinians.

I am currently reading Peter Mansoor's Baghdad at Sunrise, A Brigade Commander's War in Iraq. Mansoor is a very intelligent man. He was valedictorian of his high school class and first in his West Point class. He went on to get his PhD. at Ohio State. His heratige is Palestinian. I doubt he could have accomplished half of what he has if his family had not immigrated to the US. There is something about the Palestinian culture that makes them self destructive. Mansoor's accomplishments suggest it is not the genetics but the culture that is the problem. BTW, it is a very good book.