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LIFE IN FIRST TEMPLE TIMESWhen Writing SpeaksIn the early days of the form of writing referred to by experts as Paleo-Hebrew, scribes used the script used earlier by the Phoenicians and other neighbouring peoples. But starting in the 6th century BCE, after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians and the Judeans were sent into Exile, the Judeans adopted the Aramaic script of the conquerors, which they eventually developed into the square Hebrew script used to this day. Writing was initially the prerogative of the royal administration and scribes but soon became widespread. Hebrew script was written on papyrus, stone and ostraca-potsherds used as writing surfaces, mainly for notes.
7th century BCE
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![]() Seal impression on clay. Collection of Israel Antiquities Authority, exhibited at The Israel Museum, Jerusalem Photo © The Israel Museum, by Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon, Canadian Museum of Civilization |