(Israel)—The Israel Antiquities Authority on Monday has announced the discovery of a large building dating to the time of the First and Second Temples during an excavation in the village of Umm Tuba in southern Jerusalem.
According to Haaretz News, the archaeological remains include several rooms arranged around a courtyard, in which researchers found a potter's kiln and pottery vessels dating from the eighth century B.C. (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority)
The antiquities authority noted the site was destroyed along with Jerusalem and all of Judah during the Babylonian conquest. Jews reoccupied it during the Hasmonean period (second century B.C. and it existed for another two hundred years until the destruction of the Second Temple.
Noted the report about royal seal impressions on some of the pottery fragments that date to the era of Hezekiah, King of Judah: "Four 'LMLK' impressions (which indicate the items belonged to the king) were discovered on handles of large jars used to store wine and oil. Seals of two high-ranking officials named Ahimelekh ben Amadyahu and Yehokhil ben Shahar, who served in the government, were also found."
Used by permission www.breakingchristiannews.com / Staff - Haaretz News
http://www.archaeologynews.org/story.asp?ID=397981&Title=Archaeologists%20unearth%20building,%20pottery%20from%20time%20of%20First%20and%20...
"Four 'LMLK' impressions (which indicate the items belonged to the king) were discovered on handles of large jars used to store wine and oil. Seals of two high-ranking officials named Ahimelekh ben Amadyahu and Yehokhil ben Shahar, who served in the government, were also found."
