As part of research on dedication plaques that survived from the synagogues in the city of Cochin, a tombstone was discovered on the back of one of the plaques. After examination, it was determined to date from the year 1215—making it the oldest tombstone discovered to date in all of Kerala, and in Cochin in particular.

The historical significance is that, for the first time, based on a primary source, we have evidence of a Jewish presence in the settlement of Cochin as early as 1215 at least. Until now, the prevailing assumption was that Jews began moving to Cochin only in 1341, following the flood in the port city of Cranganore (40 km north of Cochin).

An article detailing the process of deciphering the inscription on the tombstone and clarifying additional topics is in preparation.

The researcher is Yaacobi Yaakov, born in Cochin in 1951, who holds a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Kobi began researching the Jews of Cochin after retiring and plans to study the subject in an academic framework toward an advanced degree. In his independent research so far, he has studied the genetics of Cochin Jews, the dates of the synagogues’ establishment based on the inscriptions on four surviving dedication plaques, and the inscription on the 1215 tombstone.

In the investigation of the inscription on the 1215 tombstone, he received assistance—gratefully acknowledged—from Dr. Moshe Yeger, Mr. Michael Magen, Mr. Hagai Mishgav, and Prof. Moshe Caine.

See the RTI Image:  https://maggen333michael.net/cochin_web_90/

RTI photograph © The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, by Michael Magen.

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