By Nakiwala Barbra
The oldest surviving tablet of the Ten Commandments, inscribed in Paleo-Hebrew script and estimated to date between 300 and 800 AD, is set to go under the hammer on December 18 in New York.
This ancient artifact, revered for its historical and religious significance, is expected to fetch a staggering $1 to $2 million at auction. The tablet is not only a sacred relic but also an extraordinary testament to ancient craftsmanship and early religious traditions.
The tablet was discovered in 1913 during railroad construction excavations in the Middle East, specifically in the region associated with Samaritan worship. Initially overlooked for its value, it was repurposed as a paving stone, enduring years of wear before its true historical and cultural significance was recognized. Scholars later identified the tablet as a unique artifact, given its inscription of the Ten Commandments alongside a Samaritan directive emphasizing worship on Mount Gerizim, a site sacred to the Samaritan community.
Crafted from white marble, the tablet is relatively small but deeply symbolic. Measuring approximately two feet in length, its Paleo-Hebrew inscriptions are remarkably preserved, offering a glimpse into the religious practices of ancient Semitic cultures.
The inclusion of the Mount Gerizim directive further distinguishes this piece, shedding light on Samaritan traditions that diverge from mainstream Jewish worship centered on the Jerusalem Temple.
The auction has drawn global attention from historians, collectors, and religious scholars eager to secure this extraordinary relic. Auction organizers emphasize that the sale will likely ensure the tablet is housed in a museum or institution where it can be studied and appreciated by the public. For many, the tablet represents not only an artifact of antiquity but also a profound symbol of shared heritage across Abrahamic faiths.
