Mnamon

Ancient writing systems in the Mediterranean

A critical guide to electronic resources

Proto-Sinaitic

- 18th-14th cent. B.C.


List of symbols


Transcription Letter names and meaning Proto-Sinaitic signs Proto-Canaanite signs
ˀ ˀalp (ox – head of) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
b bêt (house) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
g gaml (throw stick) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
d dilt? (fish) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
h hô (interjection?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
w wô (mace?, hook?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
d ðayn? (these two?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
z zên (axe?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
ḥôṭ (fence) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
ḫarm (wick) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
ṭêt (?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
y yôd (forearm, hand) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
k kapp (hand-palm) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
l lamd (rope?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
m mêm (water) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
n naḥš (snake) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
s samk (pillar) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
ˁ ˁên (eye) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
p pû? (corner) simbolo simbolo simbolo? simbolo
ṣadê (reed-clump?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
q qûp (monkey?) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
r raˀš (head) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
ś, š ? simbolo? simbolo simbolo simbolo
t θann (compound bow) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo
t tô (mark) simbolo simbolo simbolo simbolo



The following Proto-Sinaitic pairs of signs probably merge into (>) a single sign in Proto-Canaanite inscriptions:

d and z > z

ḥ and ḫ > ḥ

š and t > š

The question mark (?) when found in the signs column means that the sign itself is uncertain, when found in the names column means that the name (or its meaning) is uncertain.
Three dashes (---) mean that the related sign does not exist.

The list of symbols was compiled following the suggestion of Hamilton 2006 and Albright 1966