Today, Israel is a vibrant sovereign state in the Middle East. Jerusalem, the city highlighted on these stamps, remains its capital and one of the oldest and most historically significant cities globally. Known as a holy city to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, Jerusalem continues to be a focal point for archaeological research, revealing layers of its complex past, from ancient Israelite periods to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras. The archaeological sites depicted metaphorically on the stamps represent ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve its rich heritage.
The block of four stamps showcases an abstract, multi-colored artwork representing archaeological strata within Jerusalem. The bottom border of each stamp includes the inscription 'ARCHAEOLOGY IN JERUSALEM' in English, 'ארכיאולוגיה בירושלים' (Archaeology in Jerusalem) in Hebrew, and 'آثار بالقدس' (Archaeology in Jerusalem) in Arabic. The denomination '2.80' is prominently displayed, alongside 'ISRAEL' in English, 'ישראל' (Israel) in Hebrew, and 'اسرائيل' (Israel) in Arabic, with 'משה פרג 1976' (Moshe Pereg 1976) indicating the designer and year. The top left selvage shows a blue hexagon with the number '476', while the top center selvage features a blue circular logo of an Israeli gazelle above 'דואר ישראל' (Israel Post). The right selvage includes printer's control numbers '270476' and '341924'. There is no handwritten text on this item.
The 'Archaeology in Jerusalem' stamps were explicitly issued on October 19, 1976, during a period of intense archaeological activity and national identity building in Israel. In October 1976, Israel was led by Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's government, navigating the complexities of post-Yom Kippur War diplomacy and ongoing efforts to secure peace in the region. Globally, the Cold War continued, and the world was observing the heated U.S. presidential election between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, which would conclude in early November. Within Jerusalem, archaeological excavations, particularly in areas like the Ophel and the Jewish Quarter, were actively uncovering significant finds that reinforced historical connections to the ancient city, aligning with the stamp's theme of celebrating this deep heritage.
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