Israeli archaeologists have discovered a mark from the seal of biblical King Hezekiah, who helped build Jerusalem into an ancient metropolis.

The circular inscription, on a piece of clay less than a centimeter long, may very well have been made by the king himself, said Dr Eilat Mazar of Jerusalem's Hebrew University who directed the excavation where it was uncovered.

"This is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation."

Hezekiah ruled around 700 BC and was said to be a monarchdedicated to eliminating idoltary.