Oldest script found in Jerusalem

An ancient clay fragment dating back to the 14th century bce was recently discovered by a Hebrew University excavation led by Dr. Eilat Mazar. The find contains Akkadian cuneiform script, making it the oldest text ever found in Jerusalem. It appears to have once been part of a tablet.

Archeologists deciphered the words “you,” “you were,” “them,” “to do,” and “later” from the fragment.

According to Hebrew University Prof. Wayne Horowtiz, the high quality of the writing “indicates that the person responsible for creating the tablet was a first-class scribe.” Dr. Mazar believes the fragment likely came from a royal court.

Horowitz said, “In those days, you would expect to find a first-class scribe only in a large, important place.” Horowitz also explained the fragment was made from Jerusalem clay, further attesting to Jerusalem being a central city of the area at that time.

The 14th century bce predates the ancient Israelites’ entrance to the Promised Land, but Bible history reveals Jerusalem was an important city prior to King David’s rule. It was the location where Abraham paid tithes to King Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20), and it later became a Jebusite stronghold (1 Chronicles 11:4).

The tiny fragment is 2 cm (0.8 inch) long and 1 cm (0.4 inch) thick and was found during wet sifting two months ago. It was pulled out of fill from an area of ancient Jerusalem know as the Ophel—the area between the Old City’s southern wall and the City of David.

Dr. Mazar released the find to the press only after the piece was carefully analyzed. She called the discovery “one of the most important finds we’ve ever had.”