A late Byzantine period tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments, believed to be the oldest known tablet featuring the entire commandments, is going up for auction next month with an estimated price between $1 and $2 million. Weighing 115 pounds and standing at two feet tall, the tablet is approximately 1,500 years old. Discovered as a stepping stone in a private residence, the tablet has a rich history and is considered a one-of-a-kind artifact by experts. Sharon Liberman Mintz, Sotheby’s international senior specialist of Judaica, books and manuscripts, described it as one of the most important historic artifacts she has ever handled.
The tablet was first found in 1913 near Israel’s southern coast during railway construction and was later used as a paving stone in front of a house, with the inscription facing regular foot traffic. In 1943, a scholar purchased the stone and identified it as a Samaritan Decalogue, an important piece of religious history potentially displayed in a synagogue or private residence. The original site of the tablet may have been destroyed during Roman invasions between 400-600 CE or during the Crusades in the 11th century. The inscription includes 20 lines closely related to Biblical texts known to both Christians and Jews, containing nine of the Ten Commandments and including a directive to worship on Mount Gerizim, a sacred location for Samaritans.
Richard Austin, Sotheby’s Global Head of Books & Manuscripts, emphasized the significance of the tablet as a link to the beliefs that shaped Western civilization. He stated that encountering this shared piece of cultural heritage allows us to connect with cultures and faiths told through one of humanity’s earliest and most enduring moral codes. The tablet will be on display at Sotheby’s in New York from December 5 to 17, with the auction scheduled for December 18. Sotheby’s has not responded to requests for comment on the upcoming auction.
The tablet’s historic and religious significance, along with its rarity as an artifact featuring the full Ten Commandments, make it a valuable and sought-after item for collectors and scholars alike. Engraved with inscriptions familiar to both Christians and Jews, the tablet provides a tangible connection to ancient religious practices and beliefs. The exclusion of one of the commandments and the addition of a directive to worship at Mount Gerizim offer unique insights into Samaritan religious traditions and historical contexts.
The discovery and identification of the tablet as a Samaritan Decalogue shed light on the history of the region and the religious practices of different communities. Scholars and experts in Judaica, books, and manuscripts have lauded the tablet as an important artifact that provides valuable insights into the development of Western civilization. Its journey from being a paving stone in front of a house to being recognized as a significant piece of religious and cultural history underscores the importance of preserving and studying such artifacts.
The upcoming auction of the tablet presents an opportunity for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts to acquire a rare and significant piece of religious and cultural history. The tablet’s estimated value of $1 to $2 million reflects its uniqueness and historical importance, attracting attention from around the world. The auction at Sotheby’s in December will provide a platform for interested parties to bid on this extraordinary artifact, with the potential to secure a piece of human history that transcends time and culture.
