Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2018/06/22

Archaeologists in Jerusalem found a very rare ancient amulet made of clay beneath a parking lot.

The piece reportedly dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries.

The piece was discovered during excavations in a parking lot in the City of David.

The amulet contains an Arabic prayer that experts believe it was used to protect its owner, believed to be named Kareem.

According to a translation by Dr. Nitzan Amitai-Preiss of the Rothberg International School at Hebrew University the written phrase read: “Kareem Trusts in Allah; Lord of the Worlds is Allah.”

The amulet was found between plaster stratifications during the excavation of a small room at the Givati Parking Lot in the City of David, in the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

These amulets were reportedly used since ancient times to seek protection from the evil eye.

Furthermore, pottery shards were found at the same site, including a whole lamp, dating back to the Abbasid period.

(Source: Al Arabiya English)