Rare First Temple-era Assyrian inscription found in Jerusalem confirms connection with ancient Judah

Historical evidence showing communication between the Assyrian Empire and the king of Judah has been discovered next to the Western Wall during an Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) excavation in cooperation with the City of David Foundation.

The whole land of Israel is a bit like a giant time capsule, with treasures buried underground from the past that transport the finders back to bygone eras. The information we gain from archeological discoveries gives a great deal of insight into Israel’s history, often proving provocative and surprising.

The small pottery shard, measuring just 2.5 centimeters, bearing a cuneiform inscription in the Akkadian language was discovered during the IAA excavation and deciphered by Dr. Filip Vukosavović and Dr. Anat Cohen-Weinberger together with Dr. Peter Zilberg of Bar-Ilan University. According to the Assyriologists, the words form a complaint about a delayed payment expected by the Assyrian Empire from the king of Judah.

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