4 A. FONAHN. 
M.-N. KI. 
tions were written. This space of time reaches from the year 9 B.C. 
(= 304 of the Seleucid era) till A.D. 272; the splendid period of Pal. 
myra belongs to the second and third century, from which time most of 
the Palmyrene inscriptions date. 
Though Palmyra was very likely originally founded by Arabs, and 
the bulk of its population continued to be Arabic, the written language 
was the Aramaic, and the alphabet used was the Palmyrene, sometimes 
followed by Greek translation and transcription of Palmyrene names. 
That the spathomele should have been made before the above men- 
tioned year 272 A.D. is impossible, because the oldest known (North) Arabic 
inscription, that of Nemära, from 328 A.D., is still written in Nabateean 
characters — the real (North) Arabic characters being at that time not 
yet developed. The oldest inscriptions in true Arabic writing date from 
512 A.D. (Zebed) and 568 A.D. (Harran) Though the characters in these 
old inscriptions are very like the later developed Cufic, generally the 
oldest writing resembles more the naskhi, the Arabic writing of our days. 
The Cufic was chiefly in use the IX, X, XI and XIIth centuries. 
In the VIth cent. the Arabic writing was known in Syria. One of 
the oldest Arabic inscriptions is found at Qasr al-Akhwin, N.E. of Palmyra 
(dating from 728—729 A.D.); another at Qasr al.Heir, S.W. of Palmyra 
(dating from about the same time). 
The diacritical points found in the inscription of the spathomele were 
in use very early in Arabic writing; the two points marking the »t« (©) 
is seen e. g. in writing from 708 A.D., placed in a horizontal line above 
the »t«, or more or less obliquely. 
As the spathomele-inscription has a somewhat Cufic appearance, the 
main impression however being that of naskhi, we might be inclined to 
fix the writing to the beginning of the »Cufic period« (IX cent. A.D.?). 
Yet, it may date from a later time. There may also be diversions of 
opinion about the »intersected« alif, and the time of its appearance. 
Another point is to be noted and discussed: is it probable that there 
existed in Palmyra, after its destruction, a manufactury for surgical instru- 
ments, as is possibly indicated by our instrument having a trademark? As 
long as Palmyr awas a very important trade-centre and the meeting-place of 
the trade-routs from the countries on the Roman Empire, the Phoenician 
ports, from North- and South Arabia, and from the countries on the 
Persian Gulf — at that time it would be very natural to suggest the exi- 
stence of manufactories of surgical instruments in the great trade-centre. 
After 272 Palmyra lost its importance as a centre of trade; yet, it con- 
tinued existing as a town, until it was again bestroyed by the Arabs in 
