Ancient Seal Found in Jerusalem

 

Unearthing History: The Ancient Seal Found in Jerusalem

In July 2025, a remarkable discovery in Jerusalem captivated archaeologists and historians alike: a rare clay seal impression, or bulla, from the First Temple period (late 7th to early 6th century BCE) was unearthed by the Temple Mount Sifting Project. Inscribed with the Hebrew text "Belonging to Yed[a]yah, son of Asayahu," this tiny artifact offers a tangible link to the biblical era, potentially connecting to figures mentioned in the Hebrew Bible during the reign of King Josiah. This blog post delves into the significance of this find, its historical and biblical context, the meticulous work of the Temple Mount Sifting Project, and the broader implications for understanding ancient Jerusalem’s administration and culture. 

 The Discovery: A Window into the Past

The clay seal, discovered by archaeologist Mordechai Ehrlich, is a rare and well-preserved artifact from the First Temple period, dating approximately to 1000–586 BCE. Measuring just a few centimeters, the bulla bears a clear inscription in Paleo-Hebrew script: "LeYedayahu Asayahu" ("Belonging to Yedayah, son of Asayahu"). What makes this find extraordinary is its near-complete legibility, with almost every letter intact, a rarity in archaeological discoveries from this period. The reverse side of the bulla shows cord marks and a partial fingerprint, likely from the official who used it to seal a bag or container, offering a deeply personal connection to an individual who lived over 2,600 years ago.[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862817)[](https://www.newsweek.com/bible-archaeology-ancient-seal-2112149)

The discovery was made as part of the Temple Mount Sifting Project, an initiative launched in 2004 to recover artifacts from soil illegally excavated from the Temple Mount in 1999 by the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement. This soil, rich with archaeological treasures, was dumped in the Kidron Valley, and the project has since sifted through thousands of tons of debris, recovering over half a million artifacts with the help of more than 260,000 volunteers. The bulla’s findspot, near the Temple Mount, underscores its potential connection to the administrative or religious activities of ancient Jerusalem.[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862735)

 Historical Context: The First Temple Period and King Josiah’s Reign

The First Temple period, spanning roughly from the construction of Solomon’s Temple around 1000 BCE to its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, was a pivotal era in the history of the Kingdom of Judah. The bulla is dated to the late 7th to early 6th century BCE, placing it during or shortly after the reign of King Josiah (circa 640–609 BCE), a monarch celebrated in biblical texts for his religious reforms and efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem.

King Josiah’s reign, as described in the Hebrew Bible (II Kings 22–23 and II Chronicles 34–35), was marked by significant religious and political developments. According to these accounts, during repairs to the First Temple, workers discovered a "Book of the Law," widely believed to be a version of the Book of Deuteronomy. This find prompted Josiah to initiate sweeping reforms, purging idolatry and reinforcing monotheistic worship. The biblical narrative also mentions a senior official named Asayahu, described as "the king’s servant," who was part of a delegation sent to consult the prophetess Huldah about the scroll’s warnings of divine punishment. The name "Asayahu" on the bulla closely resembles this biblical figure, raising the possibility that the seal belonged to his son, Yedayah, who may have held a high-ranking position in the royal court or Temple administration.[](https://www.newsweek.com/bible-archaeology-ancient-seal-2112149)[](https://www.aol.com/rare-biblical-seal-ancient-fingerprint-130021778.html)[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/08/09/ancient-seal-biblical-fingerprint-unearthed-jerusalem/)

While researchers, including Zachi Dvira, co-director of the Temple Mount Sifting Project, caution that a direct identification with the biblical Asayahu cannot be confirmed, the presence of biblical names on artifacts from this period is not uncommon. Seals like this were typically used by high-ranking officials to secure storage vessels or documents, suggesting that Yedayah was likely involved in managing either the Temple or royal treasuries. The artifact’s discovery near the Temple Mount strengthens this hypothesis, as both the Temple and royal household were central to Jerusalem’s administrative life during this period.[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862735)

The Temple Mount, known as Haram al-Sharif to Muslims, is one of the most sensitive and sacred sites in the world, revered by both Jews and Muslims. Due to its religious significance, direct archaeological excavations on the Mount are prohibited, managed by the Islamic Waqf. The Temple Mount Sifting Project was born out of necessity following the illegal construction of a subterranean mosque in the area known as Solomon’s Stables between 1996 and 1999. This construction displaced approximately 9,000 tons of archaeologically rich soil, which was dumped in the Kidron Valley. Archaeologists Dr. Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira established the project to salvage artifacts from this debris, operating under the academic sponsorship of Bar-Ilan University’s Institute of Archaeology.[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862817)[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)

Since its inception, the project has relied on volunteers—ranging from local Israelis to international tourists—who sift through buckets of soil, sorting finds like pottery, coins, bones, and glass. Professional archaeologists, such as Mordechai Ehrlich, then examine these finds for significant artifacts. The discovery of the Yedayah bulla, initially mistaken for a bone due to its color, highlights the meticulous nature of this work. Advanced techniques, such as Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), were used to decipher the bulla’s inscription, capturing detailed images under varying light conditions to reveal its text and features.[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/08/09/ancient-seal-biblical-fingerprint-unearthed-jerusalem/)

The project’s significance extends beyond individual finds. It represents a commitment to preserving Jerusalem’s historical and spiritual heritage, despite political and logistical challenges. The bulla is only the second seal with a nearly complete inscription uncovered in the project’s 20-year history, underscoring its rarity and the importance of continued sifting efforts.[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862817)[](https://www.newsweek.com/bible-archaeology-ancient-seal-2112149)

 The Bulla’s Significance: A Glimpse into Ancient Administration

In ancient Judah, bullae were used as security measures to seal storage vessels, bags, or documents, preventing unauthorized access. The Yedayah bulla’s cord marks and fingerprint suggest it was pressed over a knot securing a container, likely used for storing food, valuables, or administrative records. Such seals were typically associated with high-ranking officials, indicating that Yedayah, and possibly his father Asayahu, held significant roles in either the Temple or royal administration.[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862817)[](https://www.aol.com/rare-biblical-seal-ancient-fingerprint-130021778.html)

The inscription’s Paleo-Hebrew script, dated to the late 7th to early 6th century BCE, aligns with the period’s writing style, as confirmed by epigrapher Dr. Anat Mendel-Geberovich. The name Asayahu, with its theophoric suffix "-yahu" (denoting a connection to the Hebrew God, YHWH), is consistent with naming conventions of the time, as seen in other artifacts. For example, another bulla bearing the name "[He]zelyahu son of Immer," possibly a Temple treasury official, was previously found in a similar context. These finds collectively illuminate the administrative practices of Jerusalem before its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.[](https://www.newsweek.com/bible-archaeology-ancient-seal-2112149)[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/08/09/ancient-seal-biblical-fingerprint-unearthed-jerusalem/)

The bulla’s potential link to King Josiah’s era is particularly compelling. Josiah’s reforms, which centralized worship and strengthened the monarchy’s authority, required a robust administrative system. The discovery of a sacred scroll during Temple repairs, as described in II Kings 22:12 and II Chronicles 34:20, involved officials like Asayahu, who may be the father referenced on the bulla. If Yedayah was his son, he could have inherited a similar role, managing Temple or royal resources during a period of religious and political upheaval.[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862735)

 Broader Implications: Bridging Archaeology and Biblical Narrative

The Yedayah bulla is part of a growing corpus of artifacts that bridge archaeological evidence with biblical accounts. While direct identification with biblical figures remains speculative, the presence of names like Asayahu and Yedayah in both the Bible and archaeological record suggests a historical basis for some of the narratives in II Kings and II Chronicles. Similar discoveries, such as a seal referencing a "Governor of the City" found in the Western Wall Plaza, further corroborate the existence of a structured administrative system in ancient Jerusalem, as described in biblical texts.[](https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/02/26/rare-first-temple-clay-seal-unearthed-in-jerusalem/)

This find also highlights the literacy and bureaucratic sophistication of Judah during the First Temple period. Contrary to assumptions that literacy was limited to the elite, seals like this suggest that reading and writing were accessible for administrative purposes, even at a basic level. The bulla’s fingerprint adds a human element, offering a rare glimpse into the life of an individual who lived during a transformative moment in Jerusalem’s history.[](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-seal-winged-genie-discovered-jerusalem/)[](https://colombiaone.com/2025/08/09/ancient-seal-biblical-fingerprint-unearthed-jerusalem/)

 Challenges and Future Research

The sensitive nature of the Temple Mount complicates archaeological work in the area. The prohibition on excavations, coupled with the illegal removal of soil in 1999, underscores the importance of projects like the Temple Mount Sifting Project. Despite challenges, including reduced volunteer numbers due to ongoing regional conflicts, the project continues to yield significant finds, with plans to publish a detailed report on the bulla in a peer-reviewed journal. Advanced imaging techniques, such as RTI, will further document the artifact’s inscription and fingerprint, potentially revealing more about its owner and context.[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862735)

The discovery also raises questions about the interplay between archaeology and religious narratives. While the bulla supports the historical plausibility of biblical accounts, researchers emphasize the need for caution in linking artifacts directly to specific individuals. Future finds may provide additional context, helping to clarify the roles of figures like Yedayah and Asayahu in Jerusalem’s administrative and religious life.

 Conclusion: A Tangible Link to Biblical Jerusalem

The discovery of the Yedayah bulla is a testament to the enduring power of archaeology to uncover the past. This small clay seal, bearing a name and fingerprint from 2,600 years ago, connects us to the world of King Josiah, a time of religious reform, political intrigue, and impending destruction. The Temple Mount Sifting Project’s tireless efforts have brought this artifact to light, enriching our understanding of ancient Jerusalem’s administration, literacy, and cultural life. As researchers continue to analyze this find, it serves as a reminder that even the smallest objects can tell profound stories, linking us to the people and events that shaped history.

Sources:

- The Jerusalem Post, “Rare First Temple seal impression found in Jerusalem,” July 31, 2025.[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862817)

- Newsweek, “Archaeologists discover ancient seal that may back Bible story,” August 12, 2025.[](https://www.newsweek.com/bible-archaeology-ancient-seal-2112149)

- The Times of Israel, “Tiny 2,600-year-old clay sealing inscribed with biblical name found in Temple Mount soil,” July 30, 2025.[](https://www.timesofisrael.com/tiny-2600-year-old-clay-sealing-inscribed-with-biblical-name-found-in-temple-mount-soil/)

- AOL, “Rare biblical seal with ancient fingerprint found in debris from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount,” August 10, 2025.[](https://www.aol.com/rare-biblical-seal-ancient-fingerprint-130021778.html)

- The Jerusalem Post, “Ancient seal discovered in Temple Mount soil,” July 30, 2025.[](https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-862735)

- Israel Hayom, “Rare First Temple-era clay seal unearthed in Jerusalem,” February 26, 2024.[](https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/02/26/rare-first-temple-clay-seal-unearthed-in-jerusalem/)

- X Post by @DanitheSett, July 30, 2025.

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