TEL ZAYIT (ZEITAH) INSCRIPTION SESSION REPORT (part four): Some other details came out in the Q&A session:

Ron Tappy confirmed that the stone must have been inscribed before it was put in the wall, because he checked with his own hands and there was not enough room to incise the letters because the other stones were in the way. He also commented that this inscription at least shows that the inhabitants had the means (i.e., the alphabet) to create a monumental inscription, even if one hasn't been found yet.

Kyle McCarter pointed to an X mark near the lamed - kaph reversal, which he suggested might have been put there by the angry scribe when he realized the mistake.

McCarter wondered why a flawed scribal exercise would be displayed on a wall. But if that isn't what is going on, there are odd coincidences: the inscription was visible on the wall and oriented properly for reading; none of it was covered by other stones; and that unusual onyx stone was right above it. But if it was put there intentionally, why? If it was intended as an exemplar, it is very hard to see without proper lighting. McCarter and Tappy noted the possibility that some sort of magical use was intended, in which case the inscription might not need to be displayed. Tappy also noted ruefully that if it was intended for magical apotropaic (i.e., protective) use, it didn't work: the building was destroyed in a fire.


So what does it all mean? I'm tempted to picture the final exam for scribes: the candidates walk in and sit down. At each desk there is a forty pound stone. The instructor says, "Now incise the alphabet on this stone with your metal tool. You have 50 minutes." Unfortunately, our scribe made several mistakes and flunked out. His final exam was posted on the wall as a warning to other students. Don't let this happen to you.

But I guess that isn't very likely.