“The twelve potsherds discovered several months ago at Tel Adduweir ancient Lachish, dating back 2,500 years to the time of Jeremiah and confirming the Bible references to that period, are original letters and not copies.”
This statement was made here today by Prof. Harry Torcznyer, expert on Semitic languages in the Hebrew University here, upon completing his task of deciphering the inscriptions on the potsherds.
The potsherds were discovered by J. L. Starkey, head of the Welcome Archaeological Research Expedition, in excavations made in Tel Adduweir last January.
GIVES MORE DETAILS
At a lecture today before the Antiquity Society Prof. Starkey gave further details of the excavations that created a sensation when announced to the world. Prof. Torcznyer, who was present at the lecture, declared that one of the potsherds discovered is an original letter sent to the King in Lachish, evidently from the neighborhood, when Nebuchadnezzer besieged Lachish. This letter referred to the carrying out of the king’s orders. The other letters are also originals and strongly support the Bible, Prof. Torcznyer explained.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
