First Temple (7-6 BCE) Period Seal of the Governor of Jerusalem Found

First Temple Period Seal of the Governor of Jerusalem Found Under the Western Wall Plaza 5778/2017 CE

Exciting! A Governor’s Seal from the First Temple, 2700 years ago, found under the Western Wall Plaza. (Way earlier than the birth of the organizer of the Arab Tribes. Even prior to our ’neighbors’ in Gaza.]

A unique stamped piece of clay from the First Temple Period, inscribed in ancient Hebrew script, was unearthed in the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) excavations in the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem.

"This is the first time that such a sealing is found in an authorized excavation. It supports the biblical rendering of the existence of a governor of the city in Jerusalem 2700 years ago.”

"The inscription denotes 'lesar ha'air,' or 'belonging to the governor of the city.' The title 'governor of the city' is known from the Bible and from extra-Biblical documents, and refers to an official appointed by the king. Governors of Jerusalem are mentioned twice in the Bible: in 2 Kings, Joshua is the governor of the city in the days of Hezekiah, and in 2 Chronicles, Maaseiah is the governor of the city in the days of Josiah."

This extraordinary find is a lump of clay, stamped and pre-fired. It measures 13x15 mm and is 2-3 mm thick. The upper part of the sealing depicts two figures facing each other, and the lower part holds an inscription in ancient Hebrew script. The seal was presented to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, during his visit to Davidson's Center, near the Western Wall, last week. After the completion of the scientific research, the seal will be displayed temporarily in the mayor's office.


Read the full article at ArutzSheva: Ancient clay seal found under Western Wall Plaza
Also a nice article with photos at timesofisrael