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Unveiling a historic artifact
Next month, a remarkable piece of history will be up for grabs at Sotheby’s New York: a 1,500-year-old stone tablet inscribed with the oldest known version of the Ten Commandments. This artifact, weighing 115 pounds, is expected to attract significant attention, with estimates suggesting it could sell for between $1 million and $2 million.
Sharon Liberman Mintz, Sotheby’s international senior specialist in Judaica, expressed her excitement about the sale, emphasizing the tablet’s profound importance.
A journey through time
The tablet dates back to the Late Roman-Byzantine Era (AD 300–800) and features twenty lines that resonate deeply with both Christian and Jewish traditions.
Mintz described it as the earliest known complete tablet of the Ten Commandments, highlighting its uniqueness. The artifact’s journey has been tumultuous; it was unearthed in 1913 during railway excavations in Israel but was initially misused as a paving stone by an unsuspecting owner.
Rediscovery and significance
It wasn’t until 1943 that the tablet’s true significance was recognized by archaeologist Jacob Kaplan. With the help of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, an expert in ancient Hebrew, they deciphered the inscription, revealing nine of the Ten Commandments as outlined in the Book of Exodus.
Interestingly, the commandment about not taking the Lord’s name in vain was replaced with a directive for Samaritan worshipers to build a temple on Mount Gerizim, a site of great importance in the region.
A cultural treasure
Richard Austin, Sotheby’s Global Head of Books & Manuscripts, remarked on the tablet’s importance as a historic artifact and a vital link to the beliefs that have shaped Western civilization.
He noted that encountering such a piece of cultural heritage allows individuals to connect with diverse cultures and faiths through one of humanity’s earliest moral codes. As the auction date approaches, the anticipation surrounding this ancient tablet continues to grow, promising a bidding war that could echo through history.
