Archaeologists unveil 2,700-year-old seal impression that confirms existence of biblical Jerusalem governor

Israeli archaeologists have unveiled an extremely rare seal impression that is said to belong to the biblical Governor of Jerusalem during the First Temple era.

The 2,700-year-old seal, which was discovered in Jerusalem's Western Wall plaza, bears the inscription "Belonging to the governor of the city."

"This is the first time that such an impression was found in an authorized excavation. It supports the biblical rendering of the existence of a governor of the city in Jerusalem 2,700 years ago," site excavator Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah said.

Haaretz noted that many seal impressions and seals have been found in ancient Jerusalem, including in the Temple Mount, but researchers said that the latest find, a clay measuring 1.3 by 1.5 centimeters in size and just over two millimeters thick, is unique in being of unquestionable provenance.

"Ours is special because this was the first time the seal of the Governor of the City of Jerusalem itself was found in the right place," Weksler-Bdolah remarked.

The seal impression features two standing figures facing each other, though their potential identities are not known as the heads are depicted as dots with no special features. The two figures were said to be wearing striped garments reaching down to their knees.

The governor of Jerusalem is referenced twice in the Hebrew Bible. The book of 2 Kings lists Joshua as the governor of the city during the reign of Hezekiah, while 2 Chronicles stated that the post was held by Maaseiah during the days of Josiah.

According to Times of Israel, the artifact was found while researchers were conducting an examination of the dust from a First Temple structure 100 meters northwest of the Western Wall at a site that archaeologists have been excavating since 2005.

During the excavations, the archaeologists discovered a massive Iron Age four-room building where they found an eclectic collection of six other seals, which points to a thriving cosmopolitan Iron Age center or settlement.

"The seal impression had been attached to an important transport and served as some sort of logo, or as a tiny souvenir, which was sent on behalf of the governor of the city," Weksler-Bdolah said in a news release.

It is not known how the governor used the seal impression, but Weksler-Bdolah suggested that it might have been given to somebody as a casual souvenir on behalf of the governor, or served as a logo in some fashion.

The Israel Antiquity Authorities presented the seal impression to Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat during his visit to Davidson's Center, near the Western Wall, last week. The clay will be put on a temporary exhibit in the mayor's office after the completion of the scientific research.

"It is very overwhelming to receive greetings from First Temple-period Jerusalem. This shows that already 2,700 years ago, Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, was a strong and central city," Barkat said at the presentation.