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OSTRACA

(Gk. óstraka)

Sherds of pottery which preserve inscriptions. The Greek word refers sometimes to an earthen vessel, but more frequently only to broken fragments (cf. Ps. 22:15[LXX 21:16]).

In archaeological contexts, ostraca are usually potsherds that preserve inscriptions of various genres. The term can include, however, inscriptions preserved on other materials, such as shell or small stones. Ostraca usually were written in ink, but sometimes were incised. Ostraca occur most frequently in Syria, Palestine, and Egypt and are rather rare in Mesopotamia, where cuneiform was more prevalent in the earlier periods.

Ostraca were used more in the context of routine daily writing activities rather than for more permanent literary preservation. They often preserve only names, numbers, or lists, but were also used for administrative missives (Arad and Samaria), occasional legal appeals (Meẓad µashavyahu), and even as military communiqués (Arad, µorvat ʿUza). Such inscriptions often provide valuable glimpses into the daily affairs and concerns of the people. Additionally, they are important sources of evidence for studying the development of languages and writing.

Bibliography. G. I. Davies et al., Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions (Cambridge, 1991); J. Naveh, “Writing and Scripts in Seventh-Century b.c.e. Philistia,” IEJ 35 (1985): 8-21.

Dale W. Manor

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

OSTRACA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)