The "Governor of Jerusalem" Seal is an ancient
Clay artifact that dates back to the
First Temple period.
Discovery
Archaeologist
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...
Shimon Cohen discovered a clay seal from the 8th century BCE near the
Western Wall during an
excavation
Excavation may refer to:
* Excavation (archaeology)
* Excavation (medicine)
* ''Excavation'' (The Haxan Cloak album), 2013
* ''Excavation'' (Ben Monder album), 2000
* ''Excavation'' (novel), a 2000 novel by James Rollins
* '' Excavation: A Memo ...
with the
IAA.
The Seal
The seal bears an
engraving showing two men wearing
robes and facing each other as if in a
mirror.
Below them is an inscription in
Paleo Hebrew that reads
Belonging to the governor of the city
Hebrew to
English Translation:
“le-sar ha-ir”
Usage
In an IAA release, Weksler-Bdolah said:
"The seal 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."
[{{Cite journal , last=Sass , first=Benjamin , title=2019. Ornan T., Weksler-Bdolah Sh. and Sass B. A “Governor of the City” seal impression from the Western Wall Plaza excavations in Jerusalem. In H. Geva ed. Ancient Jerusalem revealed. Archaeological discoveries, 1998–2018. Jerusalem, 67–72. , url=https://www.academia.edu/38580464/2019_Ornan_T_Weksler_Bdolah_Sh_and_Sass_B_A_Governor_of_the_City_seal_impression_from_the_Western_Wall_Plaza_excavations_in_Jerusalem_In_H_Geva_ed_Ancient_Jerusalem_revealed_Archaeological_discoveries_1998_2018_Jerusalem_67_72 , journal=Academia.edu]
See also
*
Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)
The Kingdom of Israel (), or the Kingdom of Samaria, was an Israelite kingdom in the Southern Levant during the Iron Age. The kingdom controlled the areas of Samaria, Galilee and parts of Transjordan. Its capital, for the most part, was Sama ...
*
Kingdom of Judah
*
Shema Seal
*
LMLK Seals
LMLK seals (with LMLK meaning 'of the king') are ancient Hebrew seals stamped on the handles of large storage jars first issued in the reign of King Hezekiah (circa 700 BC) and discovered mostly in and around Jerusalem. Several complete jars we ...
*
King Ahaz's Seal
*
Jerusalem Stone
References
Archaeology of Israel
Archaeological discoveries in Israel
Israelite and Jewish archaeological artifacts