New Evidence of Seals and Sealings from Philistia

Abstract

The article describes and discusses a group of previously unpublished clay sealings and seals from Tel Miqne-Ekron against the background of comparable evidence from other Philistine city sites. The character of the motifs on the seals and seal impressions as well as the nature and function of the clay sealings are examined. Most items date to the Iron Age I, which may indicate the existence of a recording system in Philistia during this period. These finds may shed new light on the development of the administration and political structure of the Philistines during this phase of their history.