Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Ancient Cuneiform Inscription Found In Jerusalem Reveals Assyrian Influence In Judah

The inscription reveals an official message about a delayed tax payment from Judah to Assyria, possibly indicating a tax revolt as described in biblical accounts, Israel Antiquities Authority said.

  • On Thursday, the Israel Antiquities Authority will unveil an extremely rare First Temple-period Assyrian pottery shard with an Akkadian inscription at the New Discoveries in Jerusalem and Environs Conference.
  • Researchers say the inscription addresses a delayed payment from the Kingdom of Judah to the Assyrian Empire, citing a payment deadline and a royal courier as formal correspondence evidence.
  • The tiny fragment measures about 2.5 cm and was recovered through wet sifting in Emek Tzurim National Park from canal-edge dirt, believed to be part of an inscribed royal sealing mentioning a chariot officer and a due date of the first of Av.
  • Excavation director Dr. Ayala Zilberstein said the discovery strengthens understanding of Assyrian presence and reveals political and administrative ties between the Kingdom of Judah and Assyria.
  • Petrographic testing indicates the fragment's composition differs from local materials, its mineralogy links it to the Tigris Basin, and chemical analysis with Dr. Yehudit Harlavan is ongoing.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

13 Articles

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 72% of the sources lean Right
72% Right

Factuality 

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Arutz Sheva broke the news in Israel on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
For You
Search
BlindspotLocal