Dec 10, 2024, 8:48 AM
Dec 10, 2024, 8:48 AM

Ancient Ten Commandments tablet discovered as a paving stone in Israel

Highlights
  • Discovered in 1913 during railroad excavations in Israel, the tablet was initially misidentified and used as a paving stone.
  • In 1943, a scholar recognized its importance and purchased it after finding it among other paving stones.
  • The tablet, now set to auction by Sotheby's, highlights its significance as a cultural and religious artifact expected to fetch millions.
Story

In 1913, during railroad excavations on the southern coast of Israel, the oldest stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments was unearthed. This tablet, which dates back to between 300 and 800 AD, was initially overlooked by its discoverers and ultimately used as a paving stone at a local residence. It remained largely unnoticed until a scholar recognized its significance in 1943, when he purchased it after spotting the tablet face up among other paving stones at the home's entrance. This significant find exhibits the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script, weighing approximately 155 pounds (52kg). In December 2024, Sotheby's auction house will offer this remarkable artifact at auction in New York, where it is estimated to fetch between $1 million to $2 million. The mentions of its age and discovery illustrate the tablet's historical importance, as it represents a tangible link to the ethical and spiritual beliefs that have significantly influenced Western civilization. Richard Austin, Sotheby’s Global Head of Books and Manuscripts, commented on the tablet’s importance, emphasizing its role in connecting cultures and faiths through a shared moral code spanning millennia. The tablet, on public display ahead of the auction, shows faded writing and has experienced significant wear but still retains much of the text, except for a notable omission of the third commandment concerning blasphemy. Instead, it features a directive for worshiping on Mount Gerizim, which is particularly relevant for Samaritan beliefs. The extensive historical background and context surrounding this artifact raise questions about ethics, ownership, and the significance of religious artifacts in modern times.

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