Israel Antiquities Authority announced that a small shard of porcelain, dating from the Ming Dynasty (1520–1570), containing the earliest known Chinese inscription in Israel was recently discovered in Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Israel
The fragment from a 16th century Chinese bowl bearing the inscription in Chinese: “Forever we will guard the eternal spring”, is the earliest archaeological evidence of the relationship between the Land of Israel and China.
Historical writings indicate that in the 16th Century, China during the Ming Dynasty enjoyed flourishing trade relations with the Land of Israel which was ruled by the Ottoman Empire at that time.
Historical records describe at least 20 Ottoman delegations visiting the imperial court in Beijing between the 15th and 17th centuries, with commercial commodities like spices being brought through the trade routes.
(Photo credit: Emil Eljam, Israel Antiquities Authority)