"As far as I am
aware the fragment of the bronze plaque is unknown and has
not been published yet. It comes from the sanctuary QDMN of
Ta'lab Riyam which is situated in Damhan, the ancient name
of the present day al-Huqqa in the northern highlands of Yemen
(about 20 km in the north of Sanaa). Without any doubt, it
is a votive text probably dedicated by a female person. The
text (Middle Sabaic, from the early centuries AD) also
contains two or three interesting words."
[Prof. Nebes wishes it to be noted that "the
information is not intended for the art market resp. for
persons who are involved in this metier (in any way)."]
So my previous guess about the dating was way off -- please
disregard it. The correct date proposed by Prof. Nebes, i.e.
"the early centuries AD," makes a little more sense, in that
this is the period when Peshawar (ancient Purusapura) was
something of a metropolis. But it is still very surprising
that this object from such a remote location should be found
there. Of course it is possible that it was brought to
Pakistan in modern times, but this seems hardly likely. If
this really is what it seems, it might be somehow be a
by-product of the widespread international sea and land trade
between India and the west in the period concerned.
Rich Salomon
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Dear Colleagues,
Attached is a photograph of a copper plate found near Peshawar. Exact location of the fund is unknown. I thought this might be of some interested to some of you. If anyone can say more about the contents of the copper plate and its possible date, it’ll be appreciated.
Regards,
Piotr Balcerowicz
--------------------------------
www.orient.uw.edu.pl/balcerowicz
<Peshawar.jpg><Attached Message
Part.txt>