Tel Dan Stele: the 'House of David'

The claim

The Bible presents David as the founder of Judah's royal dynasty. Critics once argued he was a legendary figure.

What archaeology found

Fragments of an Aramaic victory stele found at Tel Dan in 1993 and 1994 by Avraham Biran's team. The author, probably Hazael of Aram-Damascus, claims to have killed a king of Israel and a king of the 'House of David' (bytdwd). It is now in the Israel Museum.

Where it was found

Tel Dan, IsraelView on OpenStreetMap

Sources

1. Avraham Biran and Joseph Naveh, An Aramaic Stele Fragment from Tel Dan, Israel Exploration Journal 43 (1993)
2. Avraham Biran and Joseph Naveh, The Tel Dan Inscription: A New Fragment, Israel Exploration Journal 45 (1995)

Verdict history

• Nov 10, 2026SupportedInitial verdict.