Ancient Assyrian Tax Inscription Found Near Temple Mount

An extraordinary archaeological discovery near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount has revealed the first known written evidence of direct communication between the Assyrian Empire and the Kingdom of Judah. The tiny clay fragment no larger than a coin contains a 2,700-year-old inscription that appears to be a tax notice sent to a King of Judah, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.

Inscribed in ancient Akkadian cuneiform, the artifact dates to the late eighth or early seventh century BCE, a period when the Assyrian Empire dominated the region and exacted tribute from vassal states, including Judea. The find not only confirms Assyria’s heavy political and economic influence over Jerusalem but also mirrors key episodes in the biblical narrative.

“This is likely a fragment of a royal sealing,” explained Dr. Peter Zilberg of Bar-Ilan University, who helped decipher the text. “It summarizes the content of a letter secured with it possibly an official demand for overdue tribute.”

The inscription references the first day of the month of Av and includes an Assyrian title translated as “holder of the reins,” a designation for a senior royal courier or administrator. Scientific tests on the clay reveal it originated in the Tigris River basin the heartland of Assyrian power meaning it was likely dispatched directly from one of the empire’s capitals to the court in Jerusalem.

The artifact was uncovered in soil removed from the Davidson Archaeological Park, adjacent to the Western Wall, during a joint excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the City of David Foundation. It was found near the ruins of an administrative structure dating to the First Temple period, indicating that the area once served as a hub for royal or governmental activity.

“This inscription confirms the building's political and economic importance,” said excavation director Dr. Ayala Zilberstein. “It’s a rare glimpse into Jerusalem’s role in international affairs during a time of Assyrian supremacy.”

The clay fragment directly echoes passages in the Book of II Kings, where King Hezekiah is said to have delayed paying tribute to Assyria, prompting the invasion and siege of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib. “Until now, we had only the Assyrian version from their own archives,” said Zilberg. “This is the first material evidence from Jerusalem itself.”

Archaeologists believe the fragment is only part of a larger cache of administrative documents that may still lie buried. Further examination is underway at the Emek Tzurim National Park, where thousands of artifacts from Temple Mount excavations are sifted and catalogued.

This discovery deepens our understanding of ancient Jerusalem’s political landscape and brings biblical history into sharper archaeological focus. It is yet another reminder that beneath the stones of modern Israel lie the voices of the past etched in clay, waiting to be heard.

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