The oldest stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments has made history again. Dating back around 1,500 years to the Late Roman-Byzantine era, the artifact was sold for an astounding $5.04 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York. Described as a “tangible link to humanity’s shared beliefs,” this artifact offers a remarkable glimpse into ancient history and faith.
An Ancient Artifact Resurfaces
The 115-pound, two-foot-tall stone tablet was uncovered in 1913 during railway construction in what is now southern Israel. Originally inscribed with the Ten Commandments in Paleo-Hebrew, the stone’s historical significance was overlooked, leading to its use as paving material for 30 years. Subjected to heavy foot traffic and exposure, its preservation became a race against time.
By 1943, a scholar recognized the artifact’s importance and acquired it. Sotheby’s noted the tablet was likely displayed in a synagogue or private dwelling before being damaged during Roman invasions or the Crusades. The Samaritan community, whose unique version of the Ten Commandments is inscribed on the tablet, has long regarded Mount Gerizim in the West Bank as their sacred site, distinct from the Jewish reverence for Mount Zion.
A Testament to Shared Heritage
The stone’s auction included an extraordinary bidding session lasting over ten minutes. Sotheby’s global head of books and manuscripts, Richard Austin emphasized, “This remarkable tablet is a vastly important historic artifact and a link to the beliefs that shaped Western civilization.” The anonymous buyer plans to donate the artifact to an Israeli institution, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations.
Interestingly, the tablet includes only nine of the traditional commandments from Exodus, replacing “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain” with a directive to worship on Mount Gerizim, highlighting its Samaritan origins.
Cultural and Historical Significance
The auction house celebrated the Ten Commandments as the “cornerstone of law and morality” and “the founding text of Western civilization.” This ancient tablet follows last year’s sale of the Codex Sassoon, a Hebrew Bible over 1,000 years old, which fetched $38.1 million at Sotheby’s.
Preserving History
The sale of this extraordinary artifact underscores the importance of preserving historical treasures that connect us to ancient cultures and faiths. By safeguarding this tablet, humanity ensures the continuity of its shared heritage.
This remarkable tablet’s journey from being buried in history to becoming a prized artifact reminds us of the enduring impact of moral and cultural codes.
