Cuneiform foundation cylinders of the last king of Babylon explicitly naming Belshazzar his eldest son
Large clay foundation cylinders excavated from temple ruins at Sippar and Ur in which King Nabonidus describes restoring sanctuaries and offers prayers for his eldest son, Crown Prince Belshazzar.
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
Column II lines 24–28 of the Ur cylinder: 'And as for Belshazzar (Bel-shar-usur), my eldest son, my offspring, instill reverence for your great godhead in his heart so that he may not commit any sin.'
Solves a major 19th-century historical conundrum: classical historians (Herodotus, Xenophon) never mentioned Belshazzar, leading critics to view Daniel 5 as fictional. The cylinder confirmed Belshazzar as co-regent of Babylon during Nabonidus's 10-year stay in Tayma.
Explains why Belshazzar offered Daniel the position of 'third ruler in the kingdom' (`DAN.5:16, 29`) rather than second: Nabonidus was first, Belshazzar was second, making third the highest possible civic honor.
Nabonidus emphasizes his piety toward the moon god Sin of Ur and Shamash of Sippar, attempting to legitimize his controversial usurpation of the Babylonian throne against pro-Marduk priests.
