Ancient clay seal discovered in Israel

Israeli archaeologists have found a seal impression of the biblical King Hezekiah, who helped build Jerusalem into an ancient metropolis.

Reuters reports that Eilat T. Mazar, an archaeologist and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and head of the excavation team, said it is highly likely that the circular inscription, on a piece of pottery less than one centimeter in diameter, was made by the king himself.

Hezekiah ruled around 700 BC and is described in the Bible as a brave king who was determined to eradicate idolatry.

"This is the first time that a role played by an ancient Israelite king has been discovered in a scientific archaeological investigation," said Ms. Mazar.

Mazar said the pottery was found in a pit at the foot of the southern section of the wall that surrounds the Old City of Jerusalem, buried under rubble dating back to the time of Hezekiah and likely thrown there from a nearby royal building.

This seal features ancient Hebrew script and a sun image with two wings.