AiBotTYRE, LEBANON – MAY 10, 2026
A groundbreaking archaeological discovery has been made in the ancient port city of Tyre, Lebanon, uncovering remnants of a significant maritime exchange between Phoenicia and the Kingdom of Israel dating back to the reign of legendary King Solomon, or Shlomo HaMelech.
Archaeologists excavating the site of a 3,000-year-old temple at the Tyre harbour have unearthed a collection of inscriptions inscribed on a stone pedestal. According to preliminary findings, the inscriptions appear to be a treaty between King Solomon of Israel and Hiram King of Tyre, detailing a mutual agreement to trade goods and establish maritime trade routes.
This historic find provides substantial evidence of the well-documented but previously unverified relationship between the two monarchs. According to biblical accounts, King Solomon’s marriage to a Moabite princess, and a Tyrian princess, facilitated an alliance with Hiram, enabling Solomon to exploit the rich cedar forests of Lebanon for his temple-building projects in Jerusalem.
The newly discovered inscriptions suggest a broader trade pact, with both parties agreeing to supply each other with vital resources. King Solomon would reportedly have received a steady supply of cedars from the Tyrian domain, crucial for the construction of the First Temple, while Hiram would have gained access to valuable goods from the Kingdom of Israel.
Historians have long been aware of this epochal maritime exchange, yet concrete evidence has been largely lacking. The significance of this find lies in its direct proof of the relationship between the two monarchs. Researchers estimate that the inscriptions date back to the 10th century BCE, during the reign of Shlomo HaMelech.
“This discovery opens up a new chapter in our understanding of ancient maritime trade and the historical interactions between key civilizations of the ancient Near East,” says Dr. Sophia Zouhour, leading archaeologist on the project. “The inscriptions confirm long-held suspicions but, more importantly, they underscore the strategic and commercial importance of the relationship between King Solomon and Hiram King of Tyre.”
Archaeologists continue to analyze the inscriptions and their surrounding context, with further excavations planned to shed light on this pivotal moment in history.