---
title: Lachish Letter I
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7207/lachish-letter-i/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Lachish Letter I

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Lachish Letter I](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7207.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/7207.jpg)

## Image Caption

This is Lachish Letter I, a [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) ostracon with Hebrew inscription. This ostracon is probably a fragment of a wheel-made storage jar. The so-called "Lachish Letters" are documents consisting of potsherds inscribed in black ink (known as ostraca) which date to the very end of the southern kingdom, when the Babylonians under [Nebuchadnezzar II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nebuchadnezzar_II/) had invaded Judah and were laying siege to [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/). According to [Jeremiah](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jeremiah/), apart from Jerusalem, Azekah, about 18 miles southwest of Jerusalem, and Lachish, 18 miles further on, remained in Judaean hands as the invasion progressed. The letters were sent from outposts of Lachish to the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s military commander, a man named Ya'osh, and represent field reports monitoring the situation. A total of 21 letters were found, some of them were extremely fragmentary. They were recovered from the ruins of the main city's gate, which was destroyed in 685 BCE. [Iron Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Iron_Age/), 6th century BCE. From Lachish, modern-day [Israel](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Israel/). (The British Museum, London)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2017, September 08). Lachish Letter I. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7207/lachish-letter-i/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Lachish Letter I." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 08, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7207/lachish-letter-i/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Lachish Letter I." *World History Encyclopedia*, 08 Sep 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7207/lachish-letter-i/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 08 September 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.