Uncovering Malta's Rare Arabic Inscription: A Historical Gem
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Chapter 1: Discovery of a Rare Inscription
An astonishing find has emerged in Europe: a rare Arabic inscription dating back to the medieval era. During excavations in Malta, archaeologists uncovered a fragment of a limestone stele featuring this inscription, illuminating the island’s historical connection to its Muslim past.
The excavation took place in the Fgura area, located in the southeast of Malta, where plans for a new residential building were underway. As the team dug deeper, they unearthed remnants of medieval structures, along with various tools and artifacts, adding to the site's historical significance.
Among the debris, the researchers stumbled upon a remarkable piece—an ancient well inscribed with Arabic text. Officials from Malta's Superintendence for Cultural Heritage, the authority overseeing the island’s national heritage, confirmed the rarity and importance of this discovery.
Section 1.1: Details of the Excavation
The engraved inscription was found within a medieval well situated at the convergence of three streets: Triq id-Dejma, Triq il-Karmnu, and Triq Xemx u Qamar. This fragment likely originated from a limestone stele and was inscribed in Kufic script, the oldest form of Arabic calligraphy.
Subsection 1.1.1: Understanding Kufic Script
Kufic script traces its roots to Mesopotamia and derives its name from the city of Kufa in Iraq, located approximately 170 kilometers south of Baghdad. Characterized by angular shapes, this script was prevalent in the earliest versions of the Quran, and similar inscriptions often decorated mosques and other significant Arab structures.
Researchers also noted several unrecognized marks on the stele. Although these symbols do not correspond to any known writing system, the researchers believe they are likely ordinary symbols. The artifact bears a resemblance to other stelae discovered at a former cemetery site in Mdina, the historic capital of Malta.
Section 1.2: Historical Context
The limestone stele was found within a natural fissure that had been repurposed as a well, reaching a depth of about 8.5 meters. Archaeologists speculate that the artifact may have been intentionally discarded into the water source. Ongoing research aims to decipher the inscription's text, which could provide crucial insights into the context of this find. The well also contained ceramic fragments predating the 13th century.
Chapter 2: Malta's Muslim Heritage
This discovery holds promise for revealing a lesser-known chapter of Malta's history, when a significant portion of the population practiced Islam. The island has been inhabited since around 5200 BC, with the first settlers arriving from Sicily. About two millennia later, the first temple dedicated to a local deity was constructed.
The Phoenicians established settlements around 800 BC, followed by the Carthaginians three centuries later. By the mid-3rd century BC, Roman control was established, and it was during the 1st century AD that St. Paul is believed to have introduced Christianity to the Maltese people. Following the division of the Roman Empire in 395, Malta became part of the Western Roman Empire.
Over the ensuing centuries, Malta faced conquests by the Vandals and Ostrogoths, but it was not until 870 that the Arabs seized control. For over two centuries, the island was primarily inhabited by Muslims until the Normans invaded in 1090, integrating Malta into the Kingdom of Sicily under Roger I, a Norman count.
Islam remained the dominant faith for nearly another 40 years. The transition to Christianity began after another invasion in 1127, led by Roger II, son of Roger I. Following this, Christian merchants, clergy, and settlers arrived on the island. The languages of these newcomers merged with Arabic, ultimately giving rise to the Maltese language. The influence of Islam persisted until the mid-13th century.
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