Israel Antiquities Authority

DAVID IN STONE. Discovered in Jerusalem in 1973, this ossuary contained the bones of a male about 25 years in age. On the rim of the ossuary is an inscription that seems to read ŠLBYDWD, which can be interpreted as “(one) who (is) of the house of David.” Tempting as it might be, we don’t count this as a positive identification for the Biblical King David.