Advertisement

Biblical artifact found in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Scholars in Jerusalem say they have unearthed evidence corroborating a story in the Old Testament's Book of Jeremiah.

The evidence consists of intact official seals made of clay bearing the name of one of two of King Tzidkiyahu's ministers who had called for the execution of the prophet Jeremiah in 597-586 B.C., IsraelNN.com reported Sunday.

Advertisement

The seal bearing the name Gedaliahu ben Pashur was found at a site at the entrance to the city of David not far from where the seal of court elder Yuchal ben Shlemiyahu was dug up three years ago.

IsraelNN said the pair were among those who urged the king to execute Jeremiah for his calls to surrender the city to the advancing Babylonians.

"How absolutely fantastic and special this find is, can only be realized when you hold in your hand this magnificent 1-centimeter piece of clay and know that it survived 2,600 years in the debris of the destruction, and came to us complete and in perfect condition," said Eilat Mazar, a professor at Hebrew University and leader of the dig.

Latest Headlines