Ancient Tablet with Ten Commandments Sells for $5 Million
Ancient Tablet Bearing Ten Commandments Sells for Over $5 Million
New York – A 1,500-year-old marble tablet, believed to be the oldest known inscribed with the Ten Commandments, fetched over $5 million at auction Wednesday. The 70-kilogram stone was purchased by an anonymous buyer who plans to donate it to an Israeli institution, according to Sotheby’s.
The auction house said the final price far exceeded the pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $2 million, following over 10 minutes of “intense bidding” from global participants.Dating back to between 300 and 800 AD, the tablet is inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script – the onyl complete example of its kind, Sotheby’s claims.
Discovered during railway excavations along Israel’s southern coast in 1913, the tablet’s historical significance wasn’t immediately recognized.
“It was used as a paving stone in a local house until 1943,when it was sold to a scholar who understood its importance,” Sotheby’s said.
The auction house described the tablet as “a tangible link to ancient beliefs that have profoundly shaped global religious and cultural traditions, serving as a rare testament to history.”
The inscription on the tablet follows the familiar biblical verses for Christian and jewish traditions but omits the third commandment against taking the Lord’s name in vain. It includes a directive to worship on Mount Gerizim, a site sacred to Samaritans, according to sotheby’s.
Interview with Dr.Sarah Cohen on the Sale of the Ancient Ten Commandments Tablet
ND3: Dr. Cohen, you’re an expert in ancient Near Eastern history and religious artifacts. What are your thoughts on the recent sale of this 1,500-year-old tablet containing the Ten Commandments?
Dr. Cohen: This is a truly remarkable discovery and a significant historical artifact. The fact that it dates back to between 300 and 800 AD and is inscribed with the Ten Commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script makes it an invaluable piece of religious and cultural history.
ND3: Sotheby’s claims this is the oldest complete example of such an inscription. What makes this tablet so unique?
dr. Cohen: The age and completeness of the inscription are indeed remarkable. The fact that it endured through centuries, even being used as a paving stone, amplifies its importance. This tablet offers a tangible link to the ancient world and the beliefs that have profoundly shaped global religious traditions.
ND3: The inscription, while based on familiar verses, omits the third commandment and includes a directive to worship on Mount Gerizim. What can we glean from these differences?
Dr. Cohen: These variations highlight the diversity of interpretations and practices within Judaism even in ancient times. The omission of the third commandment and the reference to Mount Gerizim suggest a connection to Samaritan traditions, which diverged from mainstream Judaism.
ND3: The tablet ultimately fetched over $5 million at auction. What does this price tag say about the value placed on such historical artifacts in today’s world?
Dr. Cohen: The high price reflects the immense historical, cultural, and religious significance of this artifact. It underscores the enduring fascination with the origins of our beliefs and the desire to preserve tangible connections to our past.