揭開耶路撒冷掛毯的面紗：黏土令牌揭示了寺廟儀式和僑民關係

最近，在耶路撒冷正在進行的聖殿山篩選項目中，發現了一塊有2000 年曆史、刻有希臘銘文的粘土令牌，這為了解耶路撒冷早期羅馬和第二聖殿時期的習俗提供了新的線索。希臘銘文被解讀為“Doulês”，暗示著與說希臘語的朝聖者的聯繫，強調了古代猶太世界多樣化的語言和文化。該令牌上刻有酒壺，可能在每年朝聖節期間的宗教祭祀中發揮了關鍵作用。

Unearthing the Tapestry of Jerusalem's Past: A Clay Token Sheds Light on Temple Rituals and Diaspora Connections

發掘耶路撒冷過去的掛毯：黏土令牌揭示寺廟儀式和僑民聯繫

Deep beneath the layers of history that enshroud Jerusalem's Temple Mount, a remarkable artifact has emerged to illuminate a vibrant chapter in the city's sacred story. The discovery of a 2,000-year-old clay token, adorned with an intricate Greek inscription, has sparked a surge of excitement among archaeologists and historians alike. This unassuming object holds within its humble form a treasure trove of insights into the vibrant religious practices, cultural exchanges, and global connections that characterized the Second Temple period.

在耶路撒冷聖殿山的歷史深處，一件非凡的文物已經出現，照亮了這座城市神聖故事中充滿活力的篇章。一個有 2000 年歷史的黏土令牌的發現，上面刻有複雜的希臘銘文，引起了考古學家和歷史學家的興奮。這個不起眼的物件以其簡陋的形式蘊藏著對第二聖殿時期充滿活力的宗教習俗、文化交流和全球聯繫的洞察的寶藏。

A Window into Ancient Rituals

了解古代儀式的窗口

The small clay token, meticulously unearthed during the ongoing Temple Mount Sifting Project, bears witness to the bustling pilgrimage festivals that once transformed Jerusalem into a sacred metropolis. During Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, countless Jewish pilgrims from far and wide converged upon the Temple, eager to offer their tributes to God. These tokens played a pivotal role in these rituals, serving as tangible tokens of their devotion and participation.

這個小粘土令牌是在正在進行的聖殿山篩分工程中精心出土的，見證了曾經將耶路撒冷變成神聖大都市的熙熙攘攘的朝聖節日。在逾越節、五旬節和住棚節期間，無數猶太朝聖者從四面八方聚集到聖殿，渴望向上帝致敬。這些代幣在這些儀式中發揮關鍵作用，是他們奉獻和參與的有形象徵。

According to archaeologist Zachi Dvira, these tokens were likely acquired by pilgrims in exchange for their offerings, offering a practical solution for those who found it impractical to transport specific items directly to the Temple. This system provided a seamless way for pilgrims to fulfill their religious obligations, as prescribed by the Jewish commandments and the Torah.

據考古學家扎奇·德維拉(Zachi Dvira) 稱，這些代幣很可能是朝聖者用祭品換取的，這為那些認為將特定物品直接運送到聖殿不切實際的人提供了一個實用的解決方案。該系統為朝聖者履行猶太戒律和托拉規定的宗教義務提供了一種無縫的方式。

Connections to the Greek-Speaking World

與希臘世界的聯繫

The Greek inscription on the token, deciphered by Dr. Leah Di Segni of Hebrew University, bears the genitive of a personal name, "Doulês," common among Jewish communities in Thrace, Macedonia, and the northern regions of the Black Sea. This discovery hints at the diverse linguistic and cultural tapestry that wove together the ancient Jewish world.

希伯來大學的 Leah Di Segni 博士破解了令牌上的希臘文銘文，其中包含個人名字的所有格“Doulês”，該名字在色雷斯、馬其頓和黑海北部地區的猶太社區中很常見。這項發現暗示了將古代猶太世界編織在一起的多樣化語言和文化。

The Greek language had become deeply intertwined with the lives of Jews during the Hellenistic period, particularly among those living in diaspora communities throughout the Mediterranean Sea and Greek-Hellenistic towns like Alexandria. The presence of a Greek inscription on the token suggests that the pilgrim who acquired it was likely conversant in Greek, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of Jerusalem in the first century B.C.E.

在希臘化時期，希臘語言已經與猶太人的生活深深交織在一起，特別是那些生活在地中海各地和亞歷山大等希臘希臘化城鎮的散居社區的猶太人。令牌上的希臘銘文表明，獲得它的朝聖者可能精通希臘語，反映了公元前一世紀耶路撒冷的國際性質。

A Distinctive Design

獨特的設計

Unlike conventional clay sealings, known as bullae, this token exhibits a distinctive pinched back, indicating that it was designed for handling rather than for attachment to a document or container. This unique feature enhances its significance, providing valuable clues about its intended function and the prevailing customs of the period.

與傳統的黏土密封（稱為大泡）不同，該令牌具有獨特的收縮背面，表明它是為搬運而設計的，而不是為了附著在文件或容器上。這一獨特的特徵增強了其重要性，為了解其預期功能和該時期的流行習俗提供了寶貴的線索。

Corroborating Evidence

確鑿的證據

Further corroborating the significance of these tokens is a similar specimen discovered near the Temple Mount bearing an Aramaic inscription. This inscription, initially interpreted as expressing the notion of being "pure to God," correlates with Mishnaic texts that discuss offerings, specifically the wine libations poured at the Temple altar. These findings reinforce the connection between these tokens and the religious rituals practiced at the Temple.

在聖殿山附近發現的一個帶有阿拉姆語銘文的類似標本進一步證實了這些標記的重要性。這段銘文最初被解釋為表達「對上帝純潔」的概念，與討論祭品的密西拿文本相關，特別是在聖殿祭壇上倒酒的祭品。這些發現加強了這些標記與寺廟舉行的宗教儀式之間的連結。

Unraveling Jerusalem's Rich Heritage

揭開耶路撒冷豐富的遺產的面紗

The Temple Mount Sifting Project, a monumental undertaking led by archaeologists Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira since 2004, has unearthed a vast array of artifacts that illuminate the multifaceted history of Jerusalem. Through the meticulous sifting of soil and debris forcibly removed from the Mount's vicinity, the project has preserved and documented countless fragments of the city's past.

聖殿山篩選計畫是考古學家加布里埃爾·巴爾凱(Gabriel Barkay) 和扎奇·德維拉(Zachi Dvira) 自2004 年以來領導的一項重大工程，出土了大量文物，揭示了耶路撒冷多方面的歷史。透過對從山附近強行清除的土壤和碎片進行細緻的篩選，該項目保存並記錄了這座城市過去的無數碎片。

Ongoing Preservation Efforts

持續的保護工作

The preservation of Jerusalem's rich heritage depends on the continued support of the Temple Mount Sifting Project. The illicit removal of soil and debris from the Mount by the Muslim Waqf has caused irreparable harm to this World Heritage site. The sifting project remains a crucial effort to safeguard the Mount's history and preserve its treasures for generations to come.

耶路撒冷豐富遺產的保護取決於聖殿山篩選計畫的持續支持。穆斯林宗教機構非法清除山上的土壤和碎片，對這個世界遺產造成了無法彌補的傷害。這項篩選計畫仍然是保護這座山的歷史並為子孫後代保存其寶藏的一項重要工作。

Expanding Our Understanding

擴大我們的理解

The discovery of the clay token and ongoing research conducted by Dr. Yoav Farhi and others shed new light on the history of Jerusalem and the Second Temple period. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the intricate rituals, cultural connections, and diverse beliefs that shaped the ancient city.

黏土令牌的發現以及 Yoav Farhi 博士和其他人正在進行的研究為耶路撒冷和第二聖殿時期的歷史提供了新的線索。這些文物讓我們得以一窺塑造這座古城的複雜儀式、文化連結和多元信仰。

As scholars delve deeper into these discoveries, the narrative of Jerusalem's past continues to evolve, offering fresh insights into the human experiences, religious practices, and global connections that have left an enduring mark on the city's soul.

隨著學者們對這些發現的深入研究，耶路撒冷過去的敘述不斷演變，為人類經歷、宗教習俗和全球聯繫提供了新的見解，這些在這座城市的靈魂上留下了持久的印記。