Recent analysis of Proto-Sinaitic inscriptions found at Serabit el-Khadim, an ancient Egyptian turquoise mining site in the Sinai Peninsula, has sparked debate with claims of the earliest known non-biblical references to Moses. Independent researcher Michael S. Bar-Ron proposes that phrases such as "zot m'Moshe" ("This is from Moses") are present in these inscriptions, potentially dating back approximately 3,800 years to the Middle Bronze Age.
These inscriptions, first discovered in the early 20th century by archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie, are written in the Proto-Sinaitic script, an early alphabetic writing system used by Semitic laborers during the reign of Pharaoh Amenemhat III (circa 1843-1797 BCE). Bar-Ron's analysis suggests these markings may represent the work of a single scribe familiar with Egyptian hieroglyphs but employing an emerging alphabet. If substantiated, this could offer tangible evidence connecting the biblical figure of Moses to historical events in ancient Egypt.
However, these interpretations have met with scholarly skepticism. Dr. Thomas Schneider, an Egyptologist at the University of British Columbia, has voiced criticism, deeming the interpretation unproven and potentially misleading, and questioning the methodology employed. He asserts that arbitrary identifications of letters can distort ancient history, noting that the Proto-Sinaitic script is notoriously difficult to decipher, with academic consensus remaining elusive. Despite the controversy, the renewed focus on these inscriptions provides a valuable window into the cultural and linguistic landscape of Semitic workers in ancient Egypt.
The site of Serabit el-Khadim itself, located at the foot of peaks proposed by some to be the biblical Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb, has also revealed evidence of religious conflict. Inscriptions show dedications to the goddess Baalat (a Semitic equivalent of the Egyptian goddess Hathor) alongside invocations of El, a deity associated with early Israelite worship. Some carvings appear to have been defaced, suggesting a religious power struggle among the laborers.
Bar-Ron's work, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, suggests that the Proto-Sinaitic script itself, with its phonetic system of 22 letters, was a significant leap in knowledge, potentially originating with the Israelites and predating the Phoenician alphabet. This development contrasts with the complex Egyptian hieroglyphic system, which comprised over 800 symbols. The debate highlights the ongoing effort to reconcile archaeological findings with biblical narratives, offering a glimpse into a pivotal era of cultural and linguistic evolution.