An extremely rare 2,700-year-old amulet has been found in Jerusalem (4 photos)
A stone amulet discovered in the City of David National Park could change our understanding of ancient reading and writing. The piece is approximately 2,700 years old, making it one of the oldest finds since excavations began in Israel. 
The black stone seal features a winged figure and the Hebrew phrase "Le Yehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu," meaning "For Yehoezer, the son of Hoshʼayahu." The people in question lived between the 10th and 6th centuries BCE. The words were written in reverse, so the seal could have been used to press words into wax. A small hole in the piece suggests it could have been worn on a string or chain. 
Experts have concluded that the find belonged to a high-ranking official of the Kingdom of Judah, who used the seal to sign documents and also wore it as a protective talisman around his neck.
Particularly notable was the depiction of a winged figure. Its appearance may have been influenced by the Assyrians, who ruled Judea at the time. 
"This is an extremely rare and unusual discovery," exclaimed Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) archaeologist and Assyriologist Dr. Philip Vukosavowicz. "This is the first time in Israeli and regional archaeology that a winged 'genie' - a protective magical figure - has been found."
He added: "Winged demon figures are known in Neo-Assyrian art from the 9th to 7th centuries BCE, and were considered protectors." 
Experts have suggested that the seal originally belonged to a man named Hoshayahu. After his death, the product was inherited by his son Yehoezer, who engraved his name and his father's name on it in order to appropriate the "beneficial properties of the talisman."
