Inscriptions not to be read, symbols not to be seen

Authors

  • Jordi Casanovas i Miró Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

Keywords:

endotaphs, Jewish graves, lead plates, late antiquity, hopes for the future, insecurity

Abstract

The aim of this article is to draw attention to a little-known variant of Jewish medieval epitaph, namely the texts (names and certain formulae) and symbols of different types inscribed on the inside of graves. While some of them came to light a long time ago (Valencia, Majorca), the texts and symbols in question had yet to be listed or systematised. The recent discovery of a new specimen of the kind under consideration has once again emphasised the need for particular care when looking for them. Despite there being only a very small number of such epitaphs, they appear to span an extensive period of time, confirming the enduring nature of
Jewish funeral customs.

Keywords: endotaphs, Jewish graves, lead plates, late antiquity, hopes for the future, insecurity

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Published

2013-04-30

Issue

Vol. 9 (2013)

Section

Articles

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