Israeli archaeologists have unveiled a 2,700-year-old clay seal which once belonged to a biblical governor of Jerusalem.

The tiny object depicts two men in striped robes facing one-another above the inscription 'lesar ha'air' which in ancient Hebrew means 'belonging to the governor of the city.'

Researchers an unsure of the exact purpose of the seal, but speculate it could have been attached to some kind of transport and served either as a logo or a souvenir for the recipient, likely a figure of importance.

Israeli archaeologists have unveiled a 2,700-year-old clay seal in Jerusalem with the Hebrew inscription 'lesar ha'air' which means 'belonging to the governor of the city'

The seal depicts two people wearing striped outfits facing each other above a double line which separates the figures from the inscription

The finding backs up accounts in the Bible which describe the existence of a governor in the city.

Hebrew University Professor Tallay Ornan and Tel Aviv University Professor Benjamin Sass wrote of the seal: 'The title "governor of the city" is known from the Bible and from extra-Biblical documents, and refers to an official appointed by the king.

'Governors of Jerusalem are mentioned twice in the Bible: in 2 Kings, Joshua is the governor of the city in the days of Hezekiah, and in 2 Chronicles, Maaseiah is the governor of the city in the days of Josiah.'

The object was found close to the Western Wall of Jerusalem during a dig by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah told local paper Arutz Sheva: 'It is likely that one of the buildings in our excavation was the destination of this transport, sent by the city governor.

Researchers said the coin backs up Biblical records of a governor in Jerusalem. The holy text mentions such a figure twice - in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles

The exact purpose of the seal is unclear, but researchers believe it could have been a logo or souvenir included with a transport and sent to another important figure in the city

'The finding of a seal with this high-rank title, in addition to the large assemblage of actual seals found in the building in the past, supports the assumption that this area, located on the western slopes of the western hill of ancient Jerusalem, some 100 m west of the Temple Mount, was inhabited by highly ranked officials during the First Temple period.

'This is the first time that such a sealing is found in an authorized excavation.'

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said the discovery of the coin 'shows that already 2700 years ago, Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, was a strong and central city.

'Jerusalem is one of the most ancient capitals of the world, continually populated by the Jewish people for more than 3000 years,' he added.

The Antiquities Authority's announcement comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The decision overturned a decades-old policy on the status of the city and stirred Palestinian protests and international concern.

The seal was found during excavations around the city's Western Wall where it is believed important individuals lived thousands of years ago

Workers restore a ceiling of the Western Wall tunnels close to where the seal was discovered