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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

IAA reveals new study focused on ancient Jerusalem bullae in honor of Israel Excellence Week

From Jerusalem Post · (6m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Researchers are studying ancient clay seals, known as bullae, found in Jerusalem to understand the city's administrative systems from the First Temple to the Second Temple periods.
  • The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) is supporting a study by Dr. Joe Uziel and Dr. Yiftah Shalev, focusing on the underside of the bullae and using advanced methods like 3D scanning.
  • The findings, expected to provide long-term insights into Jerusalem's historical administration, will be shared by the IAA upon completion.

In honor of Israel Excellence Week 2026, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) is highlighting a significant new study that delves into the ancient history of Jerusalem. Researchers Dr. Joe Uziel and Dr. Yiftah Shalev are leading an in-depth examination of bullae discovered within the city, artifacts that offer a tangible link to administrative practices from the First Temple period through the end of the Second Temple period.

This research, supported by a grant from the Israel Science Foundation, moves beyond simply analyzing inscriptions. By employing cutting-edge techniques such as 3D scanning and Reflectance Transformation Imaging, Uziel and Shalev are investigating the physical characteristics of the bullae, including what they were attached to and any potential fingerprints left behind. This meticulous approach promises to unlock new understandings of Jerusalem's complex administrative systems over centuries.

Sealed and Sent: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Bullae from Jerusalem and Its Implications for Understanding the City's Administration

— Israel Antiquities AuthorityThis is the title of the study being conducted by Dr. Joe Uziel and Dr. Yiftah Shalev.

The IAA's initiative to showcase this research underscores a national commitment to uncovering and preserving our rich historical heritage. For Israelis, these ancient bullae are not just archaeological finds; they are direct connections to the enduring legacy of Jerusalem and its pivotal role throughout history. The study's focus on long-term administrative patterns offers a unique perspective on the continuity and evolution of governance in one of the world's oldest cities, a narrative that resonates deeply within our national consciousness.

broad, long-term perspective

— Israel Antiquities AuthorityDescribes the approach Uziel and Shalev are taking in their research on the bullae.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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