Talk:Ostracon

The Un-educated vs. the Educated
I still think that "the masses were uneducated"' may be a little bit of 'phooey'. Certainly, some of the Common Folk knew what they were seeing on these ostraca, even if the ostracon was only shown to his buddy ! (Any (common) person would probably have understood the 'Statement' !)

Certainly this was a type of speaking ones mind, (and showing their talents, and creativeness). Thank goodness. Michael McAnnis, YumaAZ [I added these two notes in 1 October 2005](didn't sign)- -Mmcannis 03:32, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

The Dream Ostraca
Were the "Dream Ostraca" ( of Hor of Seben nytos), only his notes, or were they also shown to the Pilgrims? Were many of them given (or Sold?) to the actual Pilgrims? Does this pilgrim-age stuff also mean things about what Humans are up to on this planet ? I often wonder, at it all. MMcannis (This is also a note on the Common Folk.(I am convinced they are educated, (or at least think they are).)) -[2nd note forgot to sign]- -Mmcannis 03:32, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

spelling
also spelled ostraka and ostrakon --Melaen 22:44, 15 December 2005 (UTC)


 * looking at "What links here" one will find the various 'Redirects' for those two spellings, ..etc. -(from the SonoranDesert- Ariz.- -Mmcannis 03:32, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

Biblical ostraca?
After reading this article, one may get the false impression that ostracon artifacts are heavily tied to Biblical history and the rise of Christianity (given the weight this topic has presently with three large sections yet no mention in the introduction). Ostracon artifacts are found in various civilizations, from ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome, Iranian Parthia, China, etc. I don't see a problem with discussing early Christianity, but other topics are certainly just as relevant, if not more so.-- Pericles of Athens  Talk 18:49, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Snap. I noticed that a while ago but was too busy to comment. I'm not sure what to do about it though. Dougweller (talk) 19:15, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Well, it would take the effort of reading several different books on different subjects, since I know of no single book which presents an archaeological survey of ostraca from several different civilizations over time. I have some notes here and there which mention ostraca in passing, but I don't possess enough material to contribute whole sections to this article.-- Pericles of Athens  Talk 19:28, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * It is surprising that Greece is hardly mentioned. Is there a separate article for Greek ostraca? Nev1 (talk) 19:48, 18 April 2010 (UTC)
 * Using Google to search Wikipedia,, no. There is this article Satirical ostraca which we could merge into Ostracton, leaving it as a redirect, and the G search might have some stuff we can add. Dougweller (talk) 20:44, 18 April 2010 (UTC)

Biblical Ostracon Credit
I became interested in the word “ostacon” after watching the program “Quest for Solomon’s Mines” by NOVA on PBS. Of course, googling resulted in viewing the Wiki page for “ostacon” whereby a footnote referenced a CNN article reporting the discovery of the “ostracon” by an archeologist.

I was struck by the contrast between CNN and Nova whereby Nova interviewed and gave credit to and the actual discoverer of the ostracon. While the CNN article had enough time and space to mention a tangential event regarding the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls by a shepherd, CNN failed to provide even a mention of student Oded Yair for his recognition and recovery of this rather special ostracon.

With the release of the program “Quest for Solomon’s Mines” by NOVA on PBS, I hope that some skillful person can incorporate some of this work into the Wiki “ostracon” page.

I certainly do not have this skill.

69.171.161.251 (talk) 20:45, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: History of Ancient Egypt
— Assignment last updated by Johnstoncl (talk) 00:44, 10 March 2023 (UTC)

Pessoi
Shouldn't we add the name of the ostraca used for wiping (pessoi / πεσσοί) to this article? 76.190.213.189 (talk) 00:22, 21 May 2024 (UTC)