120 seal impressions were recently found at an excavation site in Jerusalem, quoted to be "one of the most significant discoveries made in recent years," according to directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The team of excavators, led by Neria Sapir and Nathan Ben-Ari, directors of the excavations, just south of Jerusalem, say that these treasures date back roughly 2,700 years ago, "from the period of the Kings in Jerusalem". 

In a Facebook post about the recent discovery, the directors say, "The site is dated to a period of multiple upheavals documented in the Bible such as the Assyrian conquest campaign - under the command of King Sennacherib in the days of King Hezekiah. It may be that the government economic provisions indicated by the stamp seals are related to these events however, the excavation revealed that the site continued to be active after the Assyrian conquest."

Back in that time period, a seal stamp was used to authenticate documents or items. Some of the seals have the letters "LMLK" which means "to the king". 

The directors say, "Other seals are associated with private individuals which bear the name of a senior official of the Kingdom of Judah or wealthy individual."

The site uncovered a large structure that was used for many reasons, including storage. 

The excavation site near Jerusalem where 120 ancient seals were found in 2020. (Screenshot: Israel Antiquities Authority/Facebook)

"The site once dominated large agricultural plots and orchards of olive trees and grapevines which included industrial agricultural facilities such as winepresses for winemaking."

Small statues sculpted from clay were also discovered. “Some of the figurines are designed in the form of women, horse riders or as an animal,” said Sapir and Ben-Ari.

Some of the names on the seals, which would have been popular back between 960 BCE and 586 BCE, include Naham Abdi, Naham Hatzlihu, Meshalem Elnatan, and Zafan Abmetz. The directors believe that is when these date back to. 

Who were Naham Abdi, Naham Hatzlihu, Meshalem Elnatan, Zafan Abmetz, Shaneah Azaria, Shalem Acha and Shivna Shachar? We bet you would have known if you lived 2,700 years ago in the Kingdom of Judah!

Who were Naham Abdi, Naham Hatzlihu, Meshalem Elnatan, Zafan Abmetz, Shaneah Azaria, Shalem Acha and Shivna Shachar? We bet you would have known if you lived 2,700 years ago in the Kingdom of Judah! * The excavations in Arnona, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, were funded by the Israel Land Authority and administrated by the Moriah Jerusalem Development Corporation and revealed one of the largest and most important collections of seal impressions uncovered in Israel. The impressions were stamped with the letters "LMLK" (belonging to the King) written in ancient Hebrew script and the name of an ancient city in the Kingdom of Judah. Other seals are associated with private individuals which bear the name of a senior official of the Kingdom of Judah or wealthy individual. The excavators also posit that the 120 seal impressions found at the site clearly indicate that during the latter part of the Kingdom of Judah, the governmental activity took place in the area south of the City of David. It is also possible that this governmental activity was related to the nearby site of Ramat Rachel, which may be identified with the palace of the Kings of Judah and as an administrative center. According to Neria Sapir and Nathan Ben-Ari, directors of the excavations on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "This is one of the most significant discoveries from the period of the Kings in Jerusalem made in recent years. At the site we excavated, there are signs that governmental activity managed and distributed food supplies not only for a shortage but administered agricultural surplus amassing commodities and wealth. Evidence shows that at this site, taxes were collected in an orderly manner for agricultural products such as wine and olive oil. The site once dominated large agricultural plots and orchards of olive trees and grapevines which included industrial agricultural facilities such as winepresses for winemaking. The site is dated to a period of multiple upheavels documented in the Bible such as the Assyrian conquest campaign - under the command of King Sennacherib in the days of King Hezekiah. It may be that the government economic provisions indicated by the stamp seals are related to these events however, the excavation revealed that the site continued to be active after the Assyrian conquest. Moreover, the array of stamped seals indicated that the system of taxation remained uninterrupted during this period. It is interesting to note that some of the storage jar handles inscribed with the names of senior officials and wealthy individuals from the Kingdom of Judah." ** Share! Video: Yaniv Berman, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority

Posted by Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday, July 22, 2020