The Biblical Archaeology Society announced today that the Tel Dan Stele (as well as other items from the ancient Near East) are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City until January 5, 2015. For anyone in the area, this is a great opportunity to see pieces of history.
The article states:
An extraordinary inscription from Israel referencing the Davidic dynasty is currently on display in New York. Written only about 150 years after King David would have reigned, the inscription is dated to c. 830 B.C.E. The inscription hails from Tel Dan in northern Israel and commemorates the conquests of Hazael, king of Aram-Damascus, enemy of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Hazael claims to have killed both Jehoram, king of Israel, and Ahaziahu, king of “the House of David”—or Judah. That the nation of Judah is referred to as the “House of David” is significant because it is the only historical evidence of a historical David—a belief that had been hotly debated prior to this discovery—thus substantiating part of the Biblical narrative.
I have seen this stele a few times at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. I would encourage everyone who can to go by and see it.