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Abstract

An Iron Age Hebrew iconic stamp seal was uncovered near the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The seal, made of black stone, depicts a winged genie and a personal name, Yehoʽezer son of Hoshaʽyahu. This is the first depiction of the winged genie iconography in the region found in an archaeological excavation. Influenced by Neo-Assyrian art, the seal was created in Jerusalem by a local artist for Hoshaʽyahu, a member of the Judean elite, during the Assyrian Century. Later on, the seal was inherited by his son, Yehoʽezer. In addition to being used as a stamp, the item was a potent apotropaic and prophylactic amulet.

Keywords

Iron Age IIB–C, stamp seal, apotropaic, prophylactic, inheritance, Temple Mount, winged genie, Neo-Assyrian art, Paleo-Hebrew, Assyrian Century

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