A new Inscription from Takrit (Iraq)

Abstract

he city of Takrit was Christian at least from the 6 to the 14 centuries and its antiquities tell much about its history as an ancient Assyrian site, a Syrian Orthodox stronghold, and a late Islamic centre. The modern city, bearing a form of the Assyrian and Syriac name, is located on the west bank of the Tigris, almost mid-way between Mosul and Baghdad. A sizable number of Syriac inscriptions have been uncovered in monumental churches and monasteries in Takrit, some of which originate with metropolitans and monastic leaders, while others were produced by the laity. The focus of this paper is on an item belonging to the latter category. It was found in a well, the exact location of which within Takrit is not known, and appropriately, it commemorates the digging of the well.