The entire thesis that the ring belonged to, or was associated with, Pontius Pilate is based on reading the letters on either side of that krater as a single word.I have already noted a BHD essay on this research (and have linked to the underlying article in ‛Atiqot). But this Haaretz article goes over the story in somewhat greater detail.But, say Eck and Ecker – they could also be two separate words, as they appear, and abbreviated.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.