A Stone Tablet Engraved with Ten Commandments Sells for US$5 Million

Auction House Sotheby’s Announces Record-Breaking Sale

A stone tablet carrying engravings of the Ten Commandments sold for $5 million at auction on Wednesday, according to Sotheby’s. The high figure was achieved despite questions surrounding the tablet’s authenticity, with some experts expressing doubts about its purported provenance, dating between the years 300 and 800 CE.

Questions Surrounding Provenance and Authenticity

The 52-kilogram slab, said to be discovered in 1913 in what is now Israel, is only one of the commandments, missing the 10th commandment against taking the Lord’s name in vain. While the auction house expected the tablet to sell for $1-2 million, it eventually reached a price of $4.2 million, with the final sale coming in at $5 million including fees.

Ancient Script and Historical Significance

The tablet carries a Paleo-Hebrew script and, according to Sotheby’s, was held privately until an archaeologist living in Israel realized its importance and purchased it. The script is said to be written in a style characteristic of the 5th to 8th centuries CE, but some experts have questioned the accuracy of this claim.

Expert Opinions on the Tablet’s Authenticity

While Sotheby’s stated that the tablet has been studied by leading scholars in the field and published in numerous scholarly articles and books, multiple experts have expressed concerns about its origins. Brian Daniels, of the Penn Cultural Heritage Center in Philadelphia, noted that objects from this region of the world are rife with fakes, and Christopher Rollston, a professor of Biblical and near eastern languages and civilizations at George Washington University, stated that there is no way to know the age of the inscription, as there is zero documentation from 1913.

Conclusion

The sale of the stone tablet is a testament to the enduring fascination with ancient artifacts, despite the questions surrounding its authenticity. As experts continue to debate its origins, the tablet’s new owner can be proud of their acquisition, which is sure to be a conversation piece for years to come.

FAQs

* What is the significance of the stone tablet?
The tablet carries engravings of the Ten Commandments, which are a fundamental part of Jewish and Christian scripture.
* What is the tablet’s provenance?
The tablet is said to be dated between the years 300 and 800 CE, but some experts have questioned its accuracy.
* How much did the tablet sell for?
The tablet sold for $5 million, including fees.
* What is the script used on the tablet?
The script is Paleo-Hebrew, characteristic of the 5th to 8th centuries CE.