Israeli archaeologists say the small clay object is a seal impression or decked that could have been attached to important transport from the city leader to another important figure.But for historians that find from the First Temple-period Jerusalem, is proof that the City of Jerusalem had a governor at least 2700 years ago.A Jerusalem governor has been mentioned in two places in the Bible, but there has been no historical evidence of such a position.
“This is the first time that in an archaeological excavation of a structure from the 7th century BC, we find a stamp of the governor of Jerusalem.”
The seal impression, the size of a small coin, depicts two men in striped garments facing each other and holding a round object between them, which could be the moon.
“We know the moon as an object of worship in neighboring cultures, so what is the city governor.The mayor of Jerusalem in the 7th century BC doing a hundred meters from the Temple Mount, in what appears to be a stance of someone worshiping the moon.We don’t have a clear of what this moon express here.”
The artifact was discovered sometime last year, while the archaeologists were examining dust from the excavation site in Jerusalem’s Old City.Even thought it does not have the name of Jerusalem on it,archaeologists say the location where it was found indicates that it refers to a Jerusalem governor.It also proves that the city has been an important center of a Jewish state for some 3000 years.
“The governor of the city is reminded several times in the Bible, in several cities the governor of Jerusalem is reminded twice,but we never found him actually in an archaeological excavation. So, that’s the big importance.”
The artifact is being unveiled at the time of renewed tensions about Jerusalem, sparked by US President Donald Trump’s recognition of the city as Israel’s capital.The status of Jerusalem is a sensitive issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as Palestinians want the eastern sector of the city as the capital of the future State.Zlatica Hoke VOA News Washington.