Archaeologists have discovered a millennia-old clay seal in Jerusalem which may be linked to an ancient curse.
The clay seal, referred to as a bulla, dates back to the Israelite period - which spanned from 1000 to 586 BC.
The seal was discovered with an inscription in Ancient Hebrew, which translated to "Belonging to Yeda'yah (son of) Asayahu".
Archaeologists were left stunned after finding that a fingerprint, believed to be left from its ancient owner, was still visible on the artefact.
TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT
|The seal was discovered with an inscription in Ancient Hebrew, which translated to 'Belonging to Yeda'yah (son of) Asayahu'
Researchers also believe that the name found inscribed could link directly to crucial moments in the biblical account of King Josiah of Judah.
According to scripture, King Josiah had enacted sweeping religious reforms across ancient Jerusalem following the discovery of a scared scroll.
The scroll's content included severe curses for disobedience to God, outlining war, famine, exile and the destruction of the land and the Temple of Solomon.
Upon hearing the scroll's text, King Josiah reportedly became so concerned that he ripped his lavish robes to pieces and sent a group of officials to root out pagan practices in Jerusalem.
One of the trusted officials sent by King Josiah was called Asayahu - the same name inscribed on the newly discovered artefact as being the owner's father.
TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT
|PICTURED: Archaeologist Mordechai Ehrlich holds the seal
Researchers have claimed that the seal found reinforces the spiritual and historical significance of the scroll re-discovery event in Judah's religious history.
Zachi Dvira, who co-director of the project which found the artifact, said: "Obviously, we are not sure that the Asayahu mentioned on the sealing is the same that appears in the Bible.
"However, several such artefacts found in the area of the Temple Mount carry biblical names, and it does make sense, because these were not objects used by common people."
Markings found on the clay seal indicate that it was used to secure a storage container or possibly a bag.
GETTY
|Several such artefacts found in the area of the Temple Mount carry biblical names, researchers said
In the Bible, Asayahu is described as holding the title of "the king's servant".
Scholars have suggested that is very possible that his son, which the seal names as Yeda'yah, could have also held an important role in the Temple administration or royal court.
According to experts from the Temple Mount Sifting Project, the link is entirely plausible due to these type of seals only being used by high-ranking officials in ancient times.
The discovery comes after archaeologists uncovered ruins that they believed once housed the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy Land last week.
The Ark of the Covenant is described in scripture as being a gold-covered sacred chest, but what happened to it following the Babylonians' sack of Jerusalem in 568BC remains a mystery.
However, a team of archaeologists working at the site of Shiloh, an ancient biblical city, came across a stone structure that seems to mirror the orientation and dimensions of the biblical Tabernacle - which housed the Ark.
The Tel Shiloh dig's director, Dr Scott Stripling, said: "We've uncovered a monumental building from the Iron I period that matches the biblical dimensions of the Tabernacle.
"The structure is oriented east-west and divided in a 2:1 ratio, just as described in scripture."