Biblical Archaeological Discovery

Tell Siran Bronze Bottle

The bottle supplies unusually direct evidence for the royal succession and written language of Ammon. It helps establish that the Ammonites had their own kings and literary traditions independently of biblical accounts.

Discovered: Tell Siran, University of Jordan campus, Amman, Jordan

From: c. Late seventh to early sixth century BC (about 600 BC)

About the Discovery

Discovered in 1972, the Tell Siran Bronze Bottle is a small inscribed vessel bearing eight lines of Ammonite writing. The text names three successive generations of Ammonite kings: Amminadab, his father Hasalel, and an earlier Amminadab. It also contains language associated with vineyards, gardens, and prosperity. Scholars differ about the exact purpose of the vessel and inscription.

Scripture Reference

Genesis 19:38; 1 Samuel 11:1–11; Jeremiah 49:1–6 (background references to the Ammonites, not to this bottle).

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