E02820: Bronze medallion with a Greek inscription invoking the help of possibly *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033). Found at 'Ein Ya'el near Jerusalem. Probably 6th c. or later.

Oval bronze medallion with two loops, possibly a pendant worn around the neck. H. 0.022 m; W. 0.014 m; weight 3.83 g. Letter height 0.002 m. Both faces and the edge are inscribed.

Found in the standing pit in a rock-hewn burial cave at 'Ein Ya'el, with 'Byzantine' clay lamps, fragments of pottery, and glass.

First published by Robert Kool in 2012 in the Corpus Inscriptionum Iudaeae/Palaestinae (2012). An extended edition by Kool followed the next year in Atiqot. Now kept by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Face A:

cruciform-type monogram: Ἀκρισίου or Ἀρσάκου

'(Property) of Akrisios' or '(Property) of Arsakes.'

In BE (2012), 475 Denis Feissel suggest that the name could be expanded also as Tarsikios, and that there are many more possibilities.

Face B:

engraved cross

Edge:

ἁγία Μαρ(ία) ἡ μ(ή)τ(ηρ) Ἰ(η)σ(οῦ) β(οή)θ(ε)ι

'Holy Mary, Mother of Jesus, help!'

Denis Feissel is not convinced by this reading (BE (2012), 475). He suggest that the inscription should be read as: + ἁγία Ἀνάλημψις, β(οή)θι/'+ Holy Ascension, help!' and cites similar medallions from the Church of the Ascension.

Text: Kool 2013, 135-136.