Ancient seal
Photo: Clara Amit
Israeli archaeologists find 2,700-year-old 'governor of Jerusalem' seal impression
The seal, unearthed near Western Wall in Jerusalem, inscribed in ancient Hebrew as 'belonging to the governor of the city, depicts two men facing each other in a mirror-like manner wearing striped garments.
Israeli archaeologists unveiled on Monday a 2,700-year-old clay seal impression which they said belonged to a biblical governor of Jerusalem.
The artefact, inscribed in an ancient Hebrew script as "belonging to the governor of the city", was likely attached to a shipment or sent as a souvenir on behalf of the governor, the most prominent local position held in Jerusalem at the time, the Israel Antiquities Authority said.
(Photo: Clara Amit)
The impression, the size of a small coin, depicts two standing men, facing each other in a mirror-like manner and wearing striped garments reaching down to their knees. It was unearthed near the plaza of Judaism's Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.
(Photo: Yuli Schwatz)
"It supports the Biblical rendering of the existence of a governor of the city in Jerusalem 2,700 years ago," an Antiquities Authority statement quoted excavator Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah as saying.
(Photo: Yuli Schwatz)
Governors of Jerusalem, appointed by the king, are mentioned twice in the Bible, in 2 Kings, which refers to Joshua holding the position, and in 2 Chronicles, which mentions Masseiah in the post during the reign of Josiah.
The Antiquities Authority's announcement came several weeks after US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a decision that overturned a decades-old policy on the status of the city and stirred Palestinian protests and international concern.
