08-19-2008, 06:18 PM
For photo of seal:
<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mfa.gov">http://www.mfa.gov</a><!-- w -->. il/NR/rdonlyres/ 9C10A7A1- F663-4B3A- BCE5-213ECB5D332 3/0/biblicaldisc overy.jpg
Head archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar: "It is not very often that such a
discovery happens in which real figures of the past shake off the dust of
history and so vividly revive the stories of the Bible."
A 2,600 year old clay seal impression, or bulla, bearing the name Gedaliah
ben Pashur has recently been uncovered completely intact during
archeological excavations in Jerusalem's ancient City of David, located just
below the walls of the Old City near the Dung Gate. The name appears in the
Book of Jeremiah(38: 1) together with that of Yehuchal ben Shelemayahu,
whose name was found on an identical clay bulla in the same area in 2005.
The two men were ministers in the court of King Zedekiah, the last king to
rule in Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple.
According to Dr. Eilat Mazarof the Hebrew University who is leading the
dig, this is the first time in the annals of Israeli archeology that two
clay bullae with two Biblical names that appear in the same verse in the
Bible have been unearthed in the same location.
"It is not very often that such a discovery happens in which real figures of
the past shake off the dust of history and so vividly revive the stories of
the Bible," Mazar noted.
The first bulla was uncovered inside an impressive stone structure, which
Mazar believes to be the Palace of David, while the second bulla was found
at the foot of the external wall of the same structure, under a tower that
was built in the days of Nehemiah.
Both bullae, clearly preserved, measuring 1 cm. in diameter each and
lettered in ancient Hebrew, were found among the debris of the destruction
of the First Temple period (8th to 6th centuries BCE).
Dr. Eilat Mazar recently completed the third phase of her excavation of what
she believes to be King David's palace at the City of David site. More finds
are expected as archeologists continue to sift through the rubble from the
dig, which was sponsored by the Ir David (City of David) Foundation together
with the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Hebrew University, and the Shalem
Center.
The City of David is the original hilltop upon which King David dedicated
ancient Jerusalem as his capital 3,000 years ago. Deep underground, the City
of David is revealing some of the most exciting archeological finds of the
ancient world, while above ground, the site is a vibrant center of activity
and popular tourist attraction for families, complete with visitor's center,
3D exhibition and guided tours through the excavations that include Warren's
Shaft, ancient water systems such as Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Second Temple
Shiloah pool. During the busy summer and festival periods, the site offers
added family-friendly attractions, festivals, concerts, guided tours etc.
------------ --------- --------- --------- -----
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.imra.org">http://www.imra.org</a><!-- w -->. il
<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.mfa.gov">http://www.mfa.gov</a><!-- w -->. il/NR/rdonlyres/ 9C10A7A1- F663-4B3A- BCE5-213ECB5D332 3/0/biblicaldisc overy.jpg
Head archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar: "It is not very often that such a
discovery happens in which real figures of the past shake off the dust of
history and so vividly revive the stories of the Bible."
A 2,600 year old clay seal impression, or bulla, bearing the name Gedaliah
ben Pashur has recently been uncovered completely intact during
archeological excavations in Jerusalem's ancient City of David, located just
below the walls of the Old City near the Dung Gate. The name appears in the
Book of Jeremiah(38: 1) together with that of Yehuchal ben Shelemayahu,
whose name was found on an identical clay bulla in the same area in 2005.
The two men were ministers in the court of King Zedekiah, the last king to
rule in Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple.
According to Dr. Eilat Mazarof the Hebrew University who is leading the
dig, this is the first time in the annals of Israeli archeology that two
clay bullae with two Biblical names that appear in the same verse in the
Bible have been unearthed in the same location.
"It is not very often that such a discovery happens in which real figures of
the past shake off the dust of history and so vividly revive the stories of
the Bible," Mazar noted.
The first bulla was uncovered inside an impressive stone structure, which
Mazar believes to be the Palace of David, while the second bulla was found
at the foot of the external wall of the same structure, under a tower that
was built in the days of Nehemiah.
Both bullae, clearly preserved, measuring 1 cm. in diameter each and
lettered in ancient Hebrew, were found among the debris of the destruction
of the First Temple period (8th to 6th centuries BCE).
Dr. Eilat Mazar recently completed the third phase of her excavation of what
she believes to be King David's palace at the City of David site. More finds
are expected as archeologists continue to sift through the rubble from the
dig, which was sponsored by the Ir David (City of David) Foundation together
with the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Hebrew University, and the Shalem
Center.
The City of David is the original hilltop upon which King David dedicated
ancient Jerusalem as his capital 3,000 years ago. Deep underground, the City
of David is revealing some of the most exciting archeological finds of the
ancient world, while above ground, the site is a vibrant center of activity
and popular tourist attraction for families, complete with visitor's center,
3D exhibition and guided tours through the excavations that include Warren's
Shaft, ancient water systems such as Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Second Temple
Shiloah pool. During the busy summer and festival periods, the site offers
added family-friendly attractions, festivals, concerts, guided tours etc.
------------ --------- --------- --------- -----
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.imra.org">http://www.imra.org</a><!-- w -->. il