Archaeologists have uncovered rare historical evidence near Jerusalem's Western Wall of the Temple Mount during an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation in cooperation with the City of David Foundation.

A small pottery shard inscribed in cuneiform reveals communication from the Assyrian royal court addressing a delayed payment from the Kingdom of Judah.

Researchers suggest it may reflect a deliberate tax revolt—possibly connected to the biblical account of King Hezekiah’s rebellion against Sennacherib, king of Assyria.

Credit: Emil Aladjem and Asaf Peri, Israel Antiquities Authority and City of David.