September 28, 2005

Possible First Temple Period Seal Found in Temple Mount Siftings

Bar-Ilan University archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay has been sifting debris from the Islamic Wakf construction activity in the area know as Solomon's Stables on al-Haram ash-Sharīf (the Temple Mount) for sometime. Yesterday he announced the discovery of a bulla that he thinks is from the first temple period. In other words, it is thought to be from before 586 BCE. Barkay apparently thinks it may come from the time of David. According to the Jerusalem Post, the bulla contains three lines of ancient Hebrew. One line has three letters that Barkay thinks reflects the name of the owner of the seal that made the impression.

Quite a bit more is needed before much, if anything, can be said about this bulla. Even a picture would be a good start. A picture and a good transcription would be even better. One thing is sure, without archeological context the question of its date will rage even, and perhaps particularly, if it contains the name of someone whose name occurs in the Hebrew Bible. Stay tuned.

Via Bible and Interpretation

Update, September 30, 2005: There is some new information that I have posted here.

Posted by DuaneSmith at September 28, 2005 01:19 PM | Read more on Archaeology |

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