Ancient Ten Commandments tablet set to be auctioned at Sotheby's
- A rare ancient tablet featuring inscriptions of the Ten Commandments is scheduled for auction at Sotheby's.
- The tablet, carved with Paleo-Hebrew script, dates back to A.D. 300-800 and has only nine commandments inscribed.
- Experts highlight the tablet’s immense historical significance, linking it to the foundational beliefs of Western civilization.
In present-day Israel, a remarkable artifact dating from A.D. 300 to 800 is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's. This ancient marble slab, which weighs 115 pounds and stands approximately two feet tall, was discovered in 1913 during railroad excavations within the Ottoman Empire. For many years, its significance went unnoticed, and the tablet was even repurposed as part of a local home's entrance. Notably, the tablet is inscribed in Paleo-Hebrew script and features nine of the Ten Commandments from the Book of Exodus; it notably omits the commandment 'Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain'. Additionally, the tablet directs followers to worship on Mount Gerizim, a site that holds sacred significance for the Samaritan community, located near Nablus. Sotheby's Global Head of Books & Manuscripts Richard Austin described the tablet as an essential link to beliefs that forged a foundation for Western civilization, emphasizing its historical importance. The auction is scheduled for Wednesday, with the opening bid set at $1 million USD, reflecting its rarity and the substantial historical value it represents to collectors and historians alike.