PRE - ISLAMIC

EXHIBIT

THAMUDIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

LIHYANITE

SAFAITIC

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PRE ISLAMIC

THAMUDIC

1/6

Thamudic (1)

35cm x 46cm x 20cm
NMSA Object #836
‍
The inscriptions are written from top to bottom.

Transliteration

On Right
h b r

On Left
L m sd l d

Transcription

On Right
habar
‍

Suggested Translation

On Right
Habar (person's name)
‍
On Left
for Maslad (person's name)

Thamudic (1)

35cm x 46cm x 20cm
NMSA Object #836
‍
The inscriptions are written from top to bottom.

Transliteration

On Right
h b r

On Left
L m sd l d

Transcription

On Right
habar

Suggested Translation

On Right
Habar (person's name)
‍
On Left
for Maslad (person's name)

PRE ISLAMIC

THAMUDIC

2/6

Thamudic (2)

33cm x 30cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #803

Transcription

L'radh

Suggested Translation

For [the deity] "Radh"

North Thamudic inscription"L'radh" (or "LRD" or "Lirad"), name of a pre-Islamic god in Northern Arabia.

Thamudic (2)

33cm x 30cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #803

Transcription

L'radh

Suggested Translation

For [the deity] "Radh"

North Thamudic inscription"L'radh" (or "LRD" or "Lirad"), name of a pre-Islamic god in Northern Arabia.

PRE ISLAMIC

THAMUDIC

3/6

Thamudic (3)

Vertical surface of a hill.
1m x 1m (inscription area)
ca. 500 BC

Suggested Translation

Epigraphers are currently working to digitize, trace, and decipher the Thamudic inscriptions found on rock faces of northern Arabia, such as the one shown in this archival photograph in the National Museum's collection. Through this collaborative project, we hope to present the results of this on-going research in future additions to this web exhibition. Please re-visit the exhibition for regular updates.
‍
(Not yet deciphered / translated)

Thamudic (3)

Vertical surface of a hill.
1m x 1m (inscription area)
ca. 500 BC

Suggested Translation

PRE ISLAMIC

THAMUDIC

4/6

Thamudic (4)

Vertical surface on a hill.
1m x 500 cm (inscription area)
ca. 500 BC

Suggested Translation

Epigraphers are currently working to digitize, trace, and decipher the Thamudic inscriptions found on rock faces of northern Arabia, such as the one found on this archival photograph in the National Museum's collection. Through this collaborative project, we hope to present the results of this on-going research in future additions to this web exhibition. Please re-visit the exhibition for regular updates.

(Not yet deciphered / translated)

Thamudic (4)

Vertical surface on a hill.
1m x 500 cm (inscription area)
ca. 500 BC

Suggested Translation

PRE ISLAMIC

THAMUDIC

5/6

Thamudic (5)

28cm x 25cm x 14cm
NMSA Object #811

The inscription is written from right to left and top to bottom.

Transliteration

(i) L m k t ha r

(ii) L t a'a b ye a'a

Suggested Translation

(i) L -Mak (bin) thar (person's name)

(ii) L'ta'a bin yea (person's name)

Thamudic (5)

28cm x 25cm x 14cm
NMSA Object #811

The inscription is written from right to left and top to bottom.

Transliteration

(i) L m k t ha r

(ii) L t a'a b ye a'a

Suggested Translation

(i) L -Mak (bin) thar (person's name)

(ii) L'ta'a bin yea (person's name)

PRE ISLAMIC

THAMUDIC

6/6

Thamudic (6)

20cm x 17cm x 3cm
NMSA Object #865

Written from left to right.

Transliteration

L h b r b n

Suggested Translation

L'habarban
(The name of a person)

Thamudic (Musnad al Shamali) inscriptions constitute the oldest scripts found in Arabia. They can be dated as early as the latter half of the second millenium BC. These inscriptions are mostly from northern Saudi Arabia, but they can be found throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Thamudic (6)

20cm x 17cm x 3cm
NMSA Object #865

Written from left to right.

Transliteration

L h b r b n

Suggested Translation

L'habarban
(The name of a person)

Thamudic (Musnad al Shamali) inscriptions constitute the oldest scripts found in Arabia. They can be dated as early as the latter half of the second millenium BC. These inscriptions are mostly from northern Saudi Arabia, but they can be found throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

‍

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PRE ISLAMIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

1/5

Musnad al Janubi (1)

51cm x 35cm x 12cm
NMSA Object #828

Transliteration

ha z a'in
n b t a l

Transcription/Translation

Haza'a nabt al
(name of the deceased)

Musnad al Janubi (1)

51cm x 35cm x 12cm
NMSA Object #828

Transliteration

ha z a'in
n b t a l

Transcription/Translation

Haza'a nabt al
(name of the deceased)

PRE ISLAMIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

2/5

Musnad al Janubi (2)

34cm x 27cm x 12cm
NMSA Object #878

The inscription consists of four lines, written from right to left.

Transliteration

n ya a'in th t / k ya l / w m q m / sh ya
m ha m w
gh wa n ha m w / b n / a a'in r b n / w b
z t
t a t b / r ya m m / s a'in d / w ha w f ya
n
r ya m m / r dh w / w h sd ya / m r a ha
m

Transcription

Nai Asath/ Khail/ w maqam/ shai
mahamo/
Ghawnham/bin/ A'araban/ w bazat/
Ta'atab/remom/sad/w hawfain
Remom/ Rado/ wa hasiya/ mraham

Suggested Translation

With the power of Naiqthat and his high position
Ghawnaham from the Arabian tribe of
Dhat Ta'atab - Raimam Sa'ad
Fulfilled and pleased with the will
of their Lord and his presence.

Musnad al Janubi (2)

34cm x 27cm x 12cm
NMSA Object #878

The inscription consists of four lines, written from right to left.

Transliteration

n ya a'in th t / k ya l / w m q m / sh ya
m ha m w
gh wa n ha m w / b n / a a'in r b n / w b
z t
t a t b / r ya m m / s a'in d / w ha w f ya
n
r ya m m / r dh w / w h sd ya / m r a ha
m

Transcription

Nai Asath/ Khail/ w maqam/ shai
mahamo/
Ghawnham/bin/ A'araban/ w bazat/
Ta'atab/remom/sad/w hawfain
Remom/ Rado/ wa hasiya/ mraham

Suggested Translation

With the power of Naiqthat and his high position
Ghawnaham from the Arabian tribe of
Dhat Ta'atab - Raimam Sa'ad
Fulfilled and pleased with the will
of their Lord and his presence.

PRE ISLAMIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

3/5

Musnad al Janubi (3)

29cm x 23cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #807

The inscription reads from right to left, in 3 lines

Transliteration

(1) …A'a l / a'a l s …
(2) … Ha q n ya / A'a l Aan z ya
(3) … f s m Ai'n / l nha …

Transcription

… Al aals haqni al a'azi fa sami laho …

Suggested Translation

… listening to the other …

Note: Parts of the text are missing on all sides.

Musnad al Janubi (3)

29cm x 23cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #807

The inscription reads from right to left, in 3 lines

Transliteration

(1) …A'a l / a'a l s …
(2) … Ha q n ya / A'a l Aan z ya
(3) … f s m Ai'n / l nha …

Transcription

… Al aals haqni al a'azi fa sami laho …

Suggested Translation

… listening to the other …

Note: Parts of the text are missing on all sides.

PRE ISLAMIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

4/5

Musnad al Janubi (4)

Sandstone
35cm x 46cm x 20 cm
100,800 BC
NMSA Object #944-3-2

Transliteration

(1) k h l
(2) z b y b
(3) h m m t
(4) [unclear] … w t h

Transcription

Kahl zabeeb hammat …wth

Suggested Translation

(undeciphered, with mention of deity named "Kahl")

Musnad al Janubi (4)

Sandstone
35cm x 46cm x 20 cm
100,800 BC
NMSA Object #944-3-2

Transliteration

(1) k h l
(2) z b y b
(3) h m m t
(4) [unclear] … w t h

Transcription

Kahl zabeeb hammat …wth

Suggested Translation

(undeciphered, with mention of deity named "Kahl")

PRE ISLAMIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

5/5

Musnad al Janubi (5)

30cm x 30cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #831

Five lines written from right to left, top to bottom.

Transliteration

Bani Hamu / banu / l'deem/ ad ……
Bin/ maqbara (tomb) hamu/ misk ……
Mw/ wa barda'a/ amr ahama ……
W/la'al/ hadtham/ w Ashtar/ shar……
Ghaim/ wl/ Alhab/ qasoun

‍[Only partly deciphered, Untranslated]

Transcription

B n ya ha m w / b n w / l d ya m / a d
……
b n / m q b r t ha m w / m s k
m w / w b r d a / a m r a ha m a'in
w / b a'in l / h d th m / w a'in th t r /
sh r …
Gh ya m / w l/ a l ha b / q sa w n

Musnad al Janubi (5)

30cm x 30cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #831

Five lines written from right to left, top to bottom.

Transliteration

Transcription

B n ya ha m w / b n w / l d ya m / a d
……
b n / m q b r t ha m w / m s k
m w / w b r d a / a m r a ha m a'in
w / b a'in l / h d th m / w a'in th t r /
sh r …
Gh ya m / w l/ a l ha b / q sa w n

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PRE ISLAMIC

LIHYANITE

1/3

Lihyanite (1)

40cm x 31cm x 7cm
NMSA Object #841

Upper line from right to left;
Second lower line from left to right.

Transcription

(upper line) A(in) z r a'a l
‍(lower line) r j n b

Suggested Translation

A'azar al bin Jar

Lihyanite (1)

40cm x 31cm x 7cm
NMSA Object #841

Upper line from right to left;
Second lower line from left to right.

Transcription

(upper line) A(in) z r a'a l
‍(lower line) r j n b

Suggested Translation

A'azar al bin Jar

PRE ISLAMIC

LIHYANITE

2/3

Lihyanite (2)

150cm x 35cm x 12cm
NMSA #8

This inscription is deeply pecked onto the vertical surface of a hill. The writer has placed dots between each word and depicts his Wasm [tribal symbol] beside the inscription.

Written from left to right, the letters are joined together.

Transcription

L a r z a(in)

Transliteration

For Aaz'r
(the name of a person)

Written from right to left.

Transcription

L sa m r j a'a s-smr

Transliteration

L'salm raj'a bin Awas bin Samr
(person's name)

Lihyanite (2)

150cm x 35cm x 12cm
NMSA #8

This inscription is deeply pecked onto the vertical surface of a hill. The writer has placed dots between each word and depicts his Wasm [tribal symbol] beside the inscription.

Written from left to right, the letters are joined together.

Transcription

L a r z a(in)

Transliteration

For Aaz'r
(the name of a person)

‍

Written from right to left.

Transcription

L sa m r j a'a s-smr

Transliteration

L'salm raj'a bin Awas bin Samr
(person's name)

PRE ISLAMIC

LIHYANITE

3/3

Lihyanite (3)

Marker commemorating an event
1m x 1.5m

Engraved from right to left.

Transcription

Zn mrdn khlm nbnd mlk bbl atot ma'a rb
Srs ket ya'anm bflt tlo bdt la'aq

Transliteration/Translation

(Incomplete)

Zan (this) Merdan khalm (friend)
nabend (Nabonadis) malik (King)
Bbl (Babel)
atot ma rab sars ket (because)
ya'nam (shepherd) be (in)
falat tlo badat (name of a place)
la'aq.

Lihyanite (3)

Marker commemorating an event
1m x 1.5m

Engraved from right to left.

Transcription

Zn mrdn khlm nbnd mlk bbl atot ma'a rb
Srs ket ya'anm bflt tlo bdt la'aq

Transliteration/Translation

(Incomplete)

Zan (this) Merdan khalm (friend)
nabend (Nabonadis) malik (King)
Bbl (Babel)
atot ma rab sars ket (because)
ya'nam (shepherd) be (in)
falat tlo badat (name of a place)
la'aq.

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PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

1/10

Safaitic (1)

54cm x 36cm x 8cm
NMSA Object #801
‍
Written from left to right across the top and then bending down towards the bottom and back to the left.

Transcription

L r a(in) t b n a(in) d ya bin
l sh m h b n s r w

Translation

L'ra'at bin Udai bin lashma bin Sarou
(family names)

On the stone, above the script which is here translated, is the remnant of some earlier inscription which is also Safaitic script, but is barely legible and has not yet been deciphered.

Safaitic (1)

20cm x 19cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #796

‍Written from left to right in a spiral.

Transliteration

Br a l bin a(in) d ya bn
ta ha l d m bn sr a h a(in)

Q s a(in) m j w r b n h ta w l t a(in) sh
a tha w a(in) d q b r w d

Suggested Translation

Bar al bin U'adi bin
Ta'aldam bin Sar Ahqas Ar A'amjou
Wa Rab hat walat's shash w ad qabr wad

(Not yet deciphered / translated)

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

2/10

Safaitic (2)

40cm x 30cm x 9cm
NMSA Object #797
‍
Writing from right to left; starting at the point at the right of the stone and then spiraling across and towards the center.

Transcription

L sh tha bn m a(in) z m hb w d tha a

Probable Transcription

Lashast bin Maiz bin Mahab w datha

‍(Not yet deciphered / translated)

This inscription, which has yet to be fully deciphered, will be more visible if one bears in mind that it looks like a lower case "e." The inscription should be "read" from the "tail" of the "e" toward the centre.

Safaitic (2)

40cm x 30cm x 9cm
NMSA Object #797
‍
Writing from right to left; starting at the point at the right of the stone and then spiraling across and towards the center.

Transcription

L sh tha bn m a(in) z m hb w d tha a

Probably Transcription

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

3/10

Safaitic (3)

20cm x 19cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #796

Written from left to right in a spiral.

Transliteration

Br a l bin a(in) d ya bn
ta ha l d m bn sr a h a(in)

Q s a(in) m j w r b n h ta w l t a(in) sh
a tha w a(in) d q b r w d

Suggested Translation

Bar al bin U'adi bin
Ta'aldam bin Sar Ahqas Ar A'amjou
Wa Rab hat walat's shash w ad qabr wad

(Not yet deciphered / translated)

Safaitic (3)

20cm x 19cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #796

Written from left to right in a spiral.

Transliteration

Br a l bin a(in) d ya bn
ta ha l d m bn sr a h a(in)

Q s a(in) m j w r b n h ta w l t a(in) sh
a tha w a(in) d q b r w d

Suggested Translation

Bar al bin U'adi bin
Ta'aldam bin Sar Ahqas Ar A'amjou
Wa Rab hat walat's shash w ad qabr wad

(Not yet deciphered / translated)

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

4/10

Safaitic (4)

54cm x 29cm x 16cm
NMSA Object #829
‍

Transliteration

L m b s y t b n l y d b n h sh r y w d th

‍

Transcription

Lam Bathith bin laid bin Hashri wadath

‍(Undeciphered / untranslated)

Safaitic (4)

54cm x 29cm x 16cm
NMSA Object #829

Transliteration

L m b s y t b n l y d b n h sh r y w d th

Suggested Translation

Lam Bathith bin laid bin Hashri wadath

‍(Undeciphered / untranslated)

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

5/10

Safaitic (5)

23cm x 15cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #804

Written counter-clockwise, starting from (far) right to left.

Transliteration

L kh r n b n z b d b n kh z n
Kh l sh za t w sh t ya

Transcription

Lkhazan bin Zaabd bin Khazan …
Khalasha Zt wa Shatiya

Translation

(Partial translation)

Lkhazan prepared for the winter […]

Safaitic (5)

23cm x 15cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #804

Written counter-clockwise, starting from (far) right to left.

Transliteration

L kh r n b n z b d b n kh z n
Kh l sh za t w sh t ya

Transcription

Lkhazan bin Zaabd bin Khazan …
Khalasha Zt wa Shatiya

Suggested Translation

(Partial translation)

Lkhazan prepared for the winter […]

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

6/10

Safaitic (6)

18cm x 12cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #786

This is inscription bears the name of a large and important family in the region.
‍

Transcription

L'harab bin Ashamo Aa'mal A'ahan w
Alaz min qabilat Lnab.

(family and tribe name)

Safaitic (6)

18cm x 12cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #786

This is inscription bears the name of a large and important family in the region.

Transcription

L'harab bin Ashamo Aa'mal A'ahan w
Alaz min qabilat Lnab.

(family and tribe name)

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

7/10

Safaitic (7)

45cm x 16cm x 18cm
NMSA Object #809

This partially decipherable (and still untranslated) inscription may be interpreted as consisting of four lines, as follows:

Transliteration

(1) w ya sa q wa b l a'in w
(2) l ya th r ha l r b n r b a'in
(3) l l w l t s l m w t q
(4) w ya z ha s

Transcription

Waisaq was balawi
Lyasad Halr bin Raba'a
L'lal and La'at salam wa mataq
Wa Yarhas

‍(Not yet deciphered / translated)

Safaitic (7)

45cm x 16cm x 18cm
NMSA Object #809

This partially decipherable (and still untranslated) inscription may be interpreted as consisting of four lines, as follows:

Transliteration

(1) w ya sa q wa b l a'in w
(2) l ya th r ha l r b n r b a'in
(3) l l w l t s l m w t q
(4) w ya z ha s

Transcription

Waisaq was balawi
Lyasad Halr bin Raba'a
L'lal and La'at salam wa mataq
Wa Yarhas

‍(Not yet deciphered / translated)

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

8/10

Safaitic (8)

23cm x 15cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #804

Transcription/Translation

Likam bin Kam bin Iffat bin
Mas bin Yabna'a Air wa bani
(family name)

Safaitic (8)

23cm x 15cm x 10cm
NMSA Object #804

Transcription/Translation

Likam bin Kam bin Iffat bin
Mas bin Yabna'a Air wa bani
(family name)

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

9/10

Safaitic (9)

40cm x 20cm x 15cm
NMSA Object #850

Transcription

L'qadam bin Lamo w hadafa hal lat slm

Proposed Translation

The person asking favor from the deity
E'lat

Discussion

The message asks a favor from the deity E'lat. "E'lat" is the ancient name of a god in northern Arabia. The person is asking to be "salam" (meaning "alright," "good," or "at peace").

Safaitic (9)

40cm x 20cm x 15cm
NMSA Object #850

Transcription

L'qadam bin Lamo w hadafa hal lat slm

Proposed Translation

The person asking favor from the deity
E'lat

Discussion

The message asks a favor from the deity E'lat. "E'lat" is the ancient name of a god in northern Arabia. The person is asking to be "salam" (meaning "alright," "good," or "at peace").

PRE ISLAMIC

SAFAITIC

10/10

Safaitic (10)

22cm x 36cm x 7cm
NMSA Object #848

This partially deciphered inscription is pecked into the rock, in a semicircular form. It should be read from right to left.

Transliteration

sh l b / bn / a'a a(in) t l / r t s w q /w k t
m

Transcription

Shalab bin A'atel Tashouq wa Kutam

‍(Not yet fully deciphered / translated)

Safaitic (10)

22cm x 36cm x 7cm
NMSA Object #848

This partially deciphered inscription is pecked into the rock, in a semicircular form. It should be read from right to left.

Transliteration

sh l b / bn / a'a a(in) t l / r t s w q /w k t
m

Transcription

Shalab bin A'atel Tashouq wa Kutam

‍(Not yet fully deciphered / translated)

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PRE - ISLAMIC

EXHIBIT

THAMUDIC

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

MUSNAD AL JANUBI

LIHYANITE

LIHYANITE

SAFAITIC

Thamudic (1)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (1)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (2)

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (2)

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (3)

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (3)

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (4)

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (4)

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (5)

Transliteration

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (5)

Transliteration

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (6)

Transliteration

Suggested Translation

Thamudic (6)

Transliteration

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (1)

Transliteration

Transcription/Translation

Musnad al Janubi (1)

Transliteration

Transcription/Translation

Musnad al Janubi (2)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (2)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (3)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (3)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (4)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (4)

Transliteration

Transcription

Suggested Translation

Musnad al Janubi (5)

Transliteration

Transcription

Musnad al Janubi (5)

Transliteration

Transcription

Lihyanite (1)