Electronic Telegraph, Jan. 2, 1998

A COMPLETE and undamaged seal of one of the biblical Jewish kings has been uncovered for the first time.

The clay device, used for sealing a papyrus letter, bears the inscription: Ahaz (son of) Yotam, King of Judaea. Ahaz reigned from 727 BC to 698 BC and is mentioned twice in the Bible. The second book of Chronicles, Chapter 17 Verse 2, reads: "Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 16 years."

The writing on the seal is of a high calligraphic order, said Robert Deutsch, of Tel Aviv University, author of a book, Messages from the Past, which disclosed that the seal had been identified.

At the edge of the clay daub is a fingerprint. The author said: "We believe it is the king's and that it was made unintentionally as he imprinted the seal with his signet ring."

The seal has been bought by the Israeli collector and biblical scholar Shlomo Moussaieff. Mr Deutsch said it was found at an unknown time in Judaea, now the southern West Bank, but it is not known precisely where. He said: "Several leading experts have examined it and they are all convinced it is genuine."

Two seals from the signet ring of another biblical Jewish king, Hezekiah, have been found but, unlike that of King Ahaz, neither is perfectly preserved.