1
Literal Translation / Primary Inscription
Epigraphic RecordOstracon 18 reads: 'In the tenth year, from Hazeroth to Gadio: a jar of fine oil.' Many ostraca record shipments from clans like Shemida, Abiezer, Helek, and Hoglah.
Samaria Ostraca (Royal Wine and Oil Dockets)
8th-century BC Paleo-Hebrew potsherd dockets documenting regional clan administration in the northern kingdom under Jeroboam II
Direct Archaeological Attestation 93%
c. 780–770 BC (Reign of Jeroboam II)
Discovery Excavation: Royal palace of Samaria, Israel (George Reisner, Harvard Expedition, 1910)
Current Museum / Accession: Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Turkey
A cache of 102 ink-inscribed pottery sherds found in the administrative storehouse of the royal citadel of Samaria recording tax shipments of fine aged wine and cosmetic olive oil.
Archival Museum & Excavation Photography
The British Museum / Israel Antiquities Authority
Corroboration Distribution for Connected Passages (15 records)
91% Confidence
15 sources
46.67%
13.33%
33.33%
Direct Archaeology 7 (46.67%)
Ancient Historians 2 (13.33%)
Dead Sea Scrolls & Manuscripts 5 (33.33%)
Scholarly Consensus 1 (6.67%)
Debated & Traditional 0 (0%)
Claim-by-Claim Epistemic Verification Breakdown
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
2
Biblical Corroboration & Cross-References
Scriptural HarmonyDirectly corroborates the clan territorial names listed in Joshua 17:2–3 and Numbers 26:30–33 as authentic historical districts around Samaria, and illustrates the aristocratic luxury critiqued by Amos (`AMO.6:4–6`).
Corroborated Passages:
3
Scholarly Debate, Historiography & Modern Consensus
Critical NuanceEpigraphers analyze the mix of Yahwistic names ending in '-yau' (e.g., Obadyau) and Baal names (e.g., Baalzamar), reflecting the syncretistic religious culture denounced by Hosea.
4
Ancient Author Bias, Royal Propaganda & Perspective
Ideological ContextPurely administrative fiscal accounting receipts with zero ideological bias.
Corroborated Scripture Passages
Attested Figures & Kings
Excavations & Ancient Geography
Scholarly Editions & Critical Publications
- Reisner, G.A. et al. (1924). Harvard Excavations at Samaria. Harvard.
- COS 3.41: 76-78