ABSTRACT
The publication contains a detailed account of the script of the Syriac inscriptions of the first three centuries AD. Most noteworthy from the present point of view is the fact that in the mosaics there are signs of a more cursive form of script, which must have existed alongside the rather angular script found on stone. The medium of mosaic is more susceptible than stone-carving to the preservation of cursive features found more commonly on papyrus and parchment. The fact that different materials are used for writing: carving on stone, setting in mosaic, writing with ink on parchment or papyrus, is important, since when the people note differences of letter-forms they have constantly to be aware that some of the differences may be conditioned simply by the material the writing is on. Some apparent differences have no significance and must be discounted.
