Sotheby’s is preparing to auction an extraordinary artefact: the oldest known complete stone tablet of the Ten Commandments. Dating from the Late Roman-Byzantine period (circa 300-800 CE), this 1,500-year-old marble tablet represents a unique bridge between ancient Samaritan traditions and modern religious heritage.
The tablet’s journey from obscurity to prominence began in 1913 during railway excavations along Israel’s southern coast, near sites of early synagogues, mosques, and churches. This location suggests a vibrant religious community existed in the area during the Byzantine period.
For three decades following its discovery, the tablet served an unexpectedly mundane purpose as a paving stone at a local residence, its ancient inscriptions exposed to daily foot traffic before its true significance was recognised.
Physical Characteristics and Preservation
Weighing 115 pounds and standing approximately two feet tall, the tablet bears twenty lines of text meticulously incised in Paleo-Hebrew script. Its survival through centuries of turbulent history, including the Roman invasions of 400-600 CE and the Crusades of the 11th century, makes its preservation all the more remarkable.
The marble tablet’s durability has allowed its inscriptions to remain legible despite years of exposure to the elements and foot traffic. This resilience speaks to the craftsmanship of its ancient creators and the enduring quality of materials chosen for such significant religious texts. The choice of marble as the medium suggests the tablet was intended for permanent display, possibly in a synagogue or private dwelling.
Unique Samaritan Interpretation
What sets this tablet apart is its distinctive Samaritan interpretation of the biblical text. While closely following verses familiar to both Christian and Jewish traditions, it contains only nine of the traditional commandments from the Book of Exodus.
The tablet omits the command “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain” but includes a unique directive to worship at Mount Gerizim, a site of particular significance to the Samaritan faith.
The tablet’s discovery near early synagogues, mosques, and churches underscores the rich religious tapestry of the region during the Byzantine period. Its existence provides valuable insights into the diversity of religious practice and interpretation in ancient times.
This archaeological find demonstrates how different religious communities adapted and interpreted sacred texts according to their specific beliefs and traditions.
Historical Context and Cultural Impact
The tablet’s rediscovery and recognition in 1943 by a scholar who identified it as an important Samaritan Decalogue marked a turning point in understanding its historical significance. As Richard Austin, Sotheby’s Global Head of Books & Manuscripts, notes: “This remarkable tablet is not only a vastly important historic artifact, but a tangible link to the beliefs that helped shape Western civilization.”
The tablet’s journey from a casual paving stone to a celebrated artefact of immense cultural and religious significance mirrors the complex relationship between ancient artifacts and modern appreciation of historical heritage. Its survival through centuries of conflict and change in the region makes it an invaluable witness to the religious and cultural developments of the Late Roman-Byzantine era.
Auction Details and Exhibition
Sotheby’s will offer this extraordinary piece in a single-lot sale on 18 December, with an estimated value of $1-2 million. The decision to present it as a single-lot auction underscores its exceptional nature and historical importance.
Prior to the auction, the tablet will be available for public viewing at Sotheby’s 1 beginning 5 December, providing an unprecedented opportunity for scholars, collectors, and the public to witness this remarkable piece of religious history.
The auction represents a rare opportunity to acquire what Sotheby’s describes as “an extraordinary treasure from antiquity, inscribed with the moral code that underpins Western civilization.” The sale of this unique artefact will mark another significant chapter in its long history, ensuring its preservation and study for future generations.
Images: Sotheby’s
