in the prosperous times of the First Temple, was probably a low ranking seal because engraved metal, depending on the value of the metal would signify a more important official with King Solomon at the top of the ladder of success who wore a GOLD RING ENGRAVED with the TETRAGRAMATON or four Hebrew letters of the name of haShem. Judah the Patriarch was long before the era of Israel's kings and he wore a red cord around his neck with a gold engraved signet ring. But I can see this rock or stone signet with a hole for a cord being worn around someone's neck. It is sad to note that His Excellency Pope Francis I wears a papal ring made of brass which signifies judgment in its symbolism. It is gold plated but the base ring is brass. All other Popes wore a papal ring of gold, signifying in the language of symbolism, deity or the authority of deity.

for a low level official or poor family. The higher level officials and more prosperous families would have a metal seal that is engraved, the kind of metal reflecting the station in life of the owner, perhaps. King Solomon had a GOLD seal ring with the name of haShem engraved on it: Yod-He-Vav-He which is the Tetragramaton. That Name, Word, Seal insignia is what brings haShem in the Name of His Son Yashua the Messiah. The cross is like the Temple Mount. Yahshua the Messiah was crucified on a tree not a cross and the Temples were in the City of David called Zion, not on the Roman Antonia Fortress called the Temple Mount.

that the Israel Museum paid millions for. let the kid keep it.

Sally Forth, thanks for the giggle. You, a planted fake, calling this archaeological find a planted fake, is, well, a bit ironic. Love your comic strip, though.

It may be from the first temple times, but they never did find any remains of the first temple, nor any artefacts that would confirm the Bible stories of David and Solomon.

by the way this archaeological "find" is about as serious and well founded as the findings of the "Naked Archaeologist" (on whose show Dr. Barkay is a permanent fixture) and the 19th Century British Biblical Archaeology Society! That is there really is a problem with the methodology these people are using. Chag Sameach!