Archaeology:Israel,Crusader inscription in Arabic deciphered

ANSA
VERBATIM POST
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ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, NOVEMBER 16 - A Crusader inscription in Arabic dating from 1229 has been found and deciphered for the first time in the history of Middle Eastern archaeological studies by an Israeli specialist, who has been telling local media about the exceptional discovery in recent days. The inscription, which has dimensions of 50 by 60 centimetres, was set in to a building in the region of Tel Aviv, but is now confirmed to have come from the old walls of the fortified port of Jaffa. Professor Moshe Sharon, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is the man who classified and deciphered the inscription, identifying a reference in Arabic characters to "Frederick II, King of Jerusalem" and the indication of the date: "Year 1229 of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Messiah". "It is an unprecedented find," Professor Sharon said, "because no Crusader inscription in Arabic had been found anywhere in the Middle East until now". The reference to Frederick II fits perfectly with the inscription's place of origin. The Swabian sovereign, who was known as "stupor mundi" to the subjects of his favoured southern Italy, was responsible for the sixth Crusade, which took place between 1228 and 1229. The Crusade was proclaimed in defiance of Pope Gregory IX, who had recently excommunicated Frederick, and was aimed at reconquering Jerusalem and the Holy Lands (which had been wrestled from Christian hands by Saladin) from the Arab Muslims.

The mission passed through Jaffa, where Frederick occupied a position and had the old walls strengthened. It was also here that he managed, almost without fighting, to reach a deal with the Sultan of Egypt that returned temporary control of Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem, and their surrounding areas, to the "Franks". (ANSAmed).