This 600 mm by 900 mm (2 feet x 3 feet) block was discovered re-used as a building block in a 4th century renovation project, however it was an authentic first-century monolith, obviously written to celebrate Pilate’s erection and devotion of a Tiberium, a temple for the praise of Tiberius Caesar, the Roman emperor throughout Pilate’s term over Judea.
On November 29, 2018, news spread that a copper-alloy ring had actually been discovered at Herodium, the mountain fortress of Herod the Great, bearing the engraving of Pontius Pilate in Greek. The ring had actually been discovered by Hebrew University lecturer Gideon Foerster throughout the 1968-69 season and it would have been utilized for sealing documents. Nevertheless, it was just recently cleaned up to expose its engraving. Its appearance at Herodium is detailed by Biblical Archaeology Review’s editor Robert Cargill; We understand that Pilate utilized Herod the Great’s previous palaces as his own homes in both Caesarea and Jerusalem. Pilate restored Herodium and it continued to be active throughout his rule.