Umm_al-Amad_votive_inscription
Umm al-Amad votive inscription
Votive offering with Phoenician inscription
The Umm Al-Amad votive inscription is an ex-voto Phoenician inscription of two lines. Discovered during Ernest Renan's Mission de Phénicie in 1860–61, it was the second-longest of the three inscriptions found at Umm al-Amad. All three inscriptions were found on the north side of the hill.[1]
Renan stated that “It was traced on one of those cubes of stone, notched on one side, which are frequently found in the neighborhood of temples, and served perhaps to contain votive offerings.” Renan sawed off the part that bore the inscription in order to bring it back to France.[2]
A debate between scholars took place over whether it was dedicated to "Moloch-Astarte" or "Queen [Malik] Astarte".
The inscription is known as CIS I 8. Today it is held at the Louvre, with ID number AO 4830.[3]
The inscription reads:
’Š
NDR
‘BD’ŠMN
‘L
BNY
dedicated by 'Abd-Eshmun, for/with my son.