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Ancient Inscription of the Ten Commandments, Believed to be the Oldest Known, Set for Auction

Ancient Inscription of the Ten Commandments, Believed to be the Oldest Known, Set for Auction


# Historic Ten Commandments Tablet Set for Auction at Sotheby’s

A rare and historically significant marble tablet inscribed with nine of the Ten Commandments is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York next month. Measuring two feet in height and weighing an impressive 115 pounds, this ancient artifact is believed to be the oldest known intact stone version of the Ten Commandments. The auction is expected to attract significant interest, with an estimated sale price of approximately $2 million.

### A Piece of History Unearthed

The ancient tablet, sculpted in Paleo-Hebrew script, dates back to the Late Roman-Byzantine era (circa 300–800 CE). It was discovered accidentally in 1913 during railway construction near the historical site of Iamnia, located in modern-day Yavneh, Israel (known to Palestinians as Jabneh). The artifact had been used as a paving stone for a local residence for nearly 30 years before its importance was realized by scholars. The region, once part of the Roman-Byzantine civilization, has a rich history that intertwines various cultures, including Roman, Byzantine, and early Christian societies.

### A Unique Version of the Ten Commandments

In contrast to the typical representation found in the Book of Exodus, this tablet contains only nine of the Ten Commandments. Curiously, the Commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain” is notably absent. Additionally, the tablet features an extra directive, unique to scripts used by the Samaritan community, emphasizing worship at Mount Gerizim, a site deemed sacred by the Samaritans.

This version of the Commandments provides critical insight into the distinct religious practices of the Samaritans, an ethnoreligious group that diverged from mainstream Judaism thousands of years ago. Scholars believe this tablet was originally used in a synagogue or nearby worship site before the artifact was repurposed and subsequently buried over the centuries of conflict and change in the region.

### A Turbulent History

Historians and scholars familiar with the artifact suggest that the original site where the tablet was housed may have been destroyed between 400 and 600 CE during Roman invasions, or much later during the Crusader conquests in the 11th century. The historical layers of destruction highlight the intertwined struggles between various empires and religious groupings over power and religious legitimacy during these times.

After its rediscovery in 1913, the tablet’s academic and public significance became clear. First brought to wider attention by archaeologist Y. Kaplan, who acquired and published an article on it in 1943, the tablet was later sold to antiques dealer Robert Deutsch in the 1990s. By 2005, it had entered the collection of Rabbi Saul Deutsch, who displayed it at the Living Torah Museum in New York. Its most recent sale was to Mitchell Stuart Cappell in 2016 for $850,000, through Heritage Auctions.

### A Rare Opportunity to Own History

The new auction, scheduled for December 18 at Sotheby’s, represents an exceptional opportunity for private collectors, museums, and institutions to acquire a unique historical document that has spanned many centuries. The presale exhibition for the ancient slab will begin on December 5 at Sotheby’s in New York, where it is expected to draw significant attention from historians, religious scholars, and the general public.

According to a statement by Richard Austin, Sotheby’s global head of Books and Manuscripts, encountering this ancient artifact “is to journey through millennia and connect with cultures and faiths told through one of humanity’s earliest and most enduring moral codes.” The sale walks in the footsteps of history, reminding us how the sacred and the artistic traditions of the past continue to resonate today.

### A Stipulation for Public Display

As part of its historical importance, one condition for the sale ensures that the artifact must remain accessible to the public. This stipulation was implemented during the tablet’s last sale in 2016, highlighting a commitment to the preservation and sharing of cultural heritage through museums and other public exhibitions.

Whether or not Cappell, the current owner, will part ways with the artifact remains to be seen, but this upcoming sale represents one of the rarest opportunities to own such an ancient and significant historical record.

### Conclusion

The Ten Commandments marble tablet poised for auction at Sotheby’s is not just an artifact; it is a symbol of cultural and religious dialogue over millennia. Its journey, from being used as a common paving stone to now being a museum-caliber object, tells a story of rediscovery, faith, and the enduring global relevance of these historical codes. As it once again enters the open market, the tablet reminds us of how humanity’s collective inheritance is both fragile and timeless.

For those interested in this unique piece of history, bidding begins on December 18, with the presale exhibition open to the public starting December