EN
The Ancient Hebrew Siloam tunnel inscription has unique characteristics among Northwest Semitic epigraphic texts. It does not mention the king or deity nor does it follow any known literary genre. Its insistence on technical details indicates that it was commissioned by the builders of the tunnel with the purpose of commemorating their engineering achievement. Given this background and nature, the Siloam inscription is a unique testimony of historical consciousness among middle and lower class members of the society in the 8th-7th century Judah who felt the need to record their story in writing.