Ancient Bethlehem seal unearthed in Jerusalem

Antiquities Authority says archeologists found oldest artifact bearing Bethlehem’s name – 2,700 years old seal

 

The Israel Antiquities Authority says archeologists digging at a Jerusalem site have found the oldest artifact that bears the inscription of Bethlehem – a 2,700 years old seal with the name of Jesus’ traditional birthplace.

2,700 years old seal Photo: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority

2,700 years old seal - Photo: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority

Eli Shukron, the authority’s director of excavations, says this is the first time the city’s name has appeared on an artifact from this period.

The clay seal, or bulla, was found in a Jerusalem dig.

Shukron said on Wednesday the seal bears the ancient Hebrew script used during the period of the first biblical Jewish Temple. He says pottery found nearby dates back to the same period.

He says the seal is 1.5 centimeters (0.59 inches) in diameter and was most likely used to stamp tax shipments.

 

View Source
By Associated Press