One of the largest and most important collections of seal impressions ever uncovered in Israel were recently unearthed in a Jerusalem neighborhood in what appears to have been a biblical storage center.
The digs, carried out in the Arnona neighborhood in southern Jerusalem by the Israel Antiquities Authority, revealed a large structure built of concentric ashlar walls. Inside were 120 jar handles bearing seal impressions in ancient Hebrew script.
The compound was dated to the times of the biblical Kings Hezekiah and Menashe
Many of the handles are inscribed “LMLK,” or “belonging to the King,” as well as the names of three ancient cities in Judea, as well as one yet-unidentified city.
A jar handle bearing the inscription ‘To the King’ and a two-winged seal impression. Photo by Yaniv Berman/Israel Antiquities Authority
Other handles feature names of senior officials or wealthy individuals from the First Temple period.
The compound was dated to the times of the biblical Kings Hezekiah and Menashe (8th century to the middle of the 7th century BCE).-- More...
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