Thamudic (Musnad al Shamali)

Thamudic script is the most ancient Arabian script. The script was used from about 1500 BC to the 4th or 3rd century BC. Stones inscribed with Thamudic script are generally found in northern Saudi Arabia but have been found from many parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Stones inscribed with Thamudic script form the largest part of the Museum's epigraphic collections.

This script consisted of 28 letters and was written left-to-right, right-to-left, or top-to-bottom.

Thamudic inscription (1) On right "Habar" (person's name); on left "Maslad" (person's name) 35cm x 46cm x 20cm NMSA: 836 Written from top to bottom.
Thamudic inscription (2) "L'radh" (or "LRD" or "Lirad"), name of a pre-Islamic god in northern Arabia. 33cm x 30cm x 10cm NMSA: 803 Written from right to left.
Thamudic inscription (3) Undeciphered inscription on rock face (archival photo), under study 1m x 1m (inscription area) ca. 500 BC
Thamudic inscription (4) Undeciphered inscription on rock face (archival photo), under study 1m x 500cm (inscription area) ca. 500 BC
Thamudic inscription (5) "L-Mak [bin] thar" (person's name), "L'ta'a bin yea" (person's name) 28ck x 25cm x 14cm NMSA: 811 Two lines written from top to bottom, progressing from right to left.
Thamudic inscription (6) "L'habarban" (person's name) 20cm x 17 cm x 3 cm NMSA: 865 Written from left to right.