A stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments was sold for an astonishing $5 million at a Sotheby’s auction on Wednesday, despite lingering questions about its authenticity and origins. The 115-pound (52-kilogram) artifact, believed to date between 300 and 800 CE, was sold to a private collector after spirited bidding far exceeded the auction house’s initial estimate of $1-2 million.

Historical Context and Controversy

The tablet, discovered in 1913 during railway construction in what is now Israel, is carved in Paleo-Hebrew script, a writing style associated with ancient Jewish texts. It was said to have been acquired by an archaeologist in Israel who recognized its significance before it passed through various hands, including the Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn.

However, the stone is not without its controversies. Questions about its authenticity have been raised by experts, with some skeptical of its claimed provenance.

Christopher Rollston, a professor of Biblical and Near Eastern languages and civilizations at George Washington University, pointed out that there is no concrete documentation from 1913 to verify its discovery.

“We have zero documentation from 1913, and since pillagers and forgers often concoct such stories to give an inscription an aura of authenticity, this story could actually just be a tall tale told by a forger or some antiquities dealer,” Rollston told The New York Times.

Similarly, Brian Daniels of the Penn Cultural Heritage Center in Philadelphia acknowledged the possibility of its authenticity but warned that artifacts from this region are often plagued by fakes.

Unique Features of the Tablet

Adding to its intrigue, the stone tablet contains only nine of the traditional Ten Commandments revered in Jewish and Christian traditions. Notably, the commandment against taking the Lord’s name in vain is missing, a curiosity that has sparked speculation among scholars and collectors alike.

Sharon Liberman Mintz, a Jewish texts specialist for Sotheby’s, expressed excitement over the artifact’s sale, emphasizing its rarity.

“There is no other stone like it in private hands,” Mintz said.

Sotheby’s described the tablet as having been studied extensively by leading scholars and featured in several academic publications.

The Sale and Its Implications

Despite the doubts, the tablet generated significant excitement, with bids climbing to $4.2 million before fees brought the final price to $5 million. The winning bid was placed by a private collector whose identity remains undisclosed.

The unexpected price tag reflects the allure of ancient artifacts, even those with uncertain origins. The buyer’s interest underscores the ongoing fascination with relics tied to biblical history.

Expert Opinions on the Artifact

Skepticism remains high among academics. Rollston emphasized the difficulty in dating the inscription due to the lack of clear documentation.

“There is no way the age of the inscription can be known,” he stated.

Mintz and others at Sotheby’s, however, defended the tablet’s significance, arguing that its craftsmanship and Paleo-Hebrew script suggest its importance.

From Discovery to Auction

The tablet’s journey from its discovery site in Israel to a New York auction room is shrouded in mystery. Its time at the Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn allowed scholars and visitors to examine the artifact up close. Before the sale, Sotheby’s highlighted the artifact as a rare opportunity to own a piece of ancient history, a sentiment that resonated with collectors.

Broader Implications

The sale has reignited debates about the authenticity of artifacts from the Middle East, where looting and forgeries are not uncommon. While the stone may hold historical and cultural significance, its controversial origins underscore the challenges of verifying ancient artifacts in the modern era.

Conclusion

Whether the tablet is a genuine relic of ancient times or a well-crafted forgery, its sale has sparked widespread interest and discussion. For now, it remains a testament to the enduring fascination with objects connected to biblical history, and its new owner holds a piece of the past that continues to inspire awe and skepticism alike.