A rare clay seal impression bearing the name “Yed[a‛]yah (son of) Asayahu” has been uncovered in Israel, linking it to a legendary biblical king from the House of David. The Temple Mount Sifting Project announced the discovery on July 30, which dates back to the late 7th or early 6th century B.C.
The seal was found among debris dumped in the nearby Kidron Valley and is believed to have been used by an ancient official involved in Temple administration or the royal household. According to historians, this type of seal was reserved for officials of high rank.
The discovery is significant because it provides a link between Asayahu, a senior official under King Josiah, and his son Yeda‛yah. The project believes that Yed[a‛]yah may have served in a high-ranking capacity, either at the same time or shortly thereafter as his father.
King Josiah ruled Judah during this period and oversaw major Temple reforms. The seal’s script suggests that it was used to seal a bag or container, offering insights into the life of its owner.
The Temple Mount Sifting Project is dedicated to recovering artifacts from dumped soil removed from the Temple Mount in 1999. This latest discovery is one of many significant finds made by the project, which has shed new light on ancient Jewish artifacts and history.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/travel/rare-biblical-seal-ancient-fingerprint-found-debris-from-jerusalems-temple-mount