NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n An archaeologist who was recently sifting through debris in Israel uncovered a link to a legendary biblical king from the House of David.<\/a><\/p>\n The Temple Mount Sifting Project announced the discovery on July 30 of a rare clay seal impression bearing the name “Yed[a\u201b]yah (son of) Asayahu.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The project is dedicated to recovering artifacts from dumped soil that was illegally removed from the Temple Mount during unsupervised construction in 1999 by the Islamic Waqf.<\/p>\n RARE 1,600-YEAR-OLD MOSAIC FROM CHRISTIAN MONASTERY UNVEILED AFTER CENTURIES OF OBSCURITY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The archaeologically rich soil was dumped in the nearby Kidron Valley, where archaeologists, volunteers and tourists now gather to sift through the discarded debris in search of ancient Jewish artifacts.<\/p>\n The recent discovery was made on the eve of the 17th of Tammuz, a Jewish <\/strong>fast day marking the breach of Jerusalem\u2019s walls before the destruction of the First and Second Temples.<\/a><\/p>\n Archaeologist Mordechai Ehrlich, pictured above right, discovered the artifact, at left, while working with the Temple Mount Sifting Project.<\/span> (Temple Mount Sifting Project)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Archaeologist Mordechai Ehrlich discovered what the project described as a “rare and exceptionally well-preserved clay sealing, impressed by a stamp seal inscribed with ancient Hebrew letters.”<\/p>\n “The sealing still retains a clear fingerprint, presumably left by the ancient official who once owned it,” the project noted.<\/p>\n ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER ANCIENT ‘FACTORY’ USED TO PRODUCE COVETED PURPLE DYE MENTIONED IN BIBLE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Based on its script, the artifact dates to the late 7th or early 6th century B.C. \u2013 during the reign of King Josiah, who ruled Judah and oversaw major Temple reforms.<\/p>\n “Among Josiah\u2019s trusted envoys was a senior official named Asayahu, described as ‘the king\u2019s servant,'” the release stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n The project recovered ancient artifacts from discarded Temple Mount soil that was removed without oversight.<\/span> (Temple Mount Sifting Project)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Given his prominent role, it is reasonable to assume that his son, Yeda\u201byah, may have also served in a high-ranking capacity, either at the same time or shortly thereafter.”<\/p>\n “Thus, the clay sealing\u2019s owner was probably involved in Temple administration or the royal household, much like his father.”<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n King Josiah was a central figure in Jewish history.<\/p>\n After ordering repairs to the First Temple in Jerusalem, his workers found an ancient scroll that the royal scribe then read to the king.<\/p>\n The scroll, the project said, contained “warnings about the people’s sins and impending divine punishment deeply alarmed the king.”<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The release added, “Josiah then dispatched trusted officials to seek divine counsel from the prophetess Huldah, who foretold Jerusalem\u2019s future destruction but assured Josiah that he personally would not live to witness it.”<\/p>\n Marks on the back of the seal suggest it was used to seal a bag or container \u2013 offering a glimpse into the ancient official\u2019s life.<\/p>\n “The clay sealing\u2019s owner was probably involved in Temple administration or the royal household, much like his father.”<\/span> (Temple Mount Sifting Project)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Temple Mount Sifting Project said that the possibility of a link between the seal and King Josiah was “highly plausible.”<\/p>\n For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com\/lifestyle<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n “Historically, seals like these were reserved for officials of high rank, and many individuals named in similar discoveries<\/a> from Jerusalem have been directly identified with biblical-era officials,” officials said.<\/p>\n Volunteers and tourists participate in the long-running project, but this recent find was made by an archaeologist.<\/span> (Temple Mount Sifting Project)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “Thus, the clay sealing\u2019s owner was probably involved in Temple administration or the royal household, much like his father,” the project said.<\/p>\n![\"Split](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1200\/675\/israel-temple-mount-sifting-discovery-redo.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n![\"Volunteers](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1200\/675\/israel-temple-mount-sifting-discovery-3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\n
![\"Volunteers](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1200\/675\/israel-temple-mount-sifting-discovery-5.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n![\"Women,](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1200\/675\/israel-temple-mount-sifting-discovery-4.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n