lemonde.fr
Ancient Ten Commandments Tablet Sells for \$5 Million Amidst Authenticity Debate
A marble tablet inscribed with nine of the Ten Commandments, discovered in 1913 during railway construction in present-day Israel and subsequently used as a paving stone, sold for \$5,004,000 at Sotheby's despite authenticity concerns, exceeding its \$1-2 million estimate.
- How did the tablet's journey from its 1913 discovery to its recent auction contribute to the controversy surrounding its authenticity?
- The high sale price reflects both the rarity of such an artifact—Sotheby's claims no similar complete tablet exists in private hands—and the ongoing debate surrounding its authenticity. Experts acknowledge the prevalence of forgeries from the region, highlighting the challenges in definitively verifying the tablet's age and origin. The sale underscores the considerable market value placed on ancient religious artifacts, even amidst scholarly uncertainty.",
- What are the potential long-term implications of this sale for the authentication of ancient artifacts and the market for historical religious objects?
- The sale's outcome may encourage further scrutiny of provenance claims for ancient artifacts, particularly those with religious significance. Future research could focus on advanced authentication techniques to verify the tablet's age and origin, potentially leading to improved methods for evaluating similar historical objects. The sale's price may also influence the market value of other potentially authentic artifacts from similar periods.",
- What is the significance of the \$5 million sale of a marble tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments, considering the ongoing debate about its authenticity?
- A marble tablet, purportedly the oldest known to bear the Ten Commandments, sold for over \$5 million at Sotheby's despite authenticity questions. The 52kg tablet, dating back to 300-800 CE according to Sotheby's, was discovered in 1913 during railway construction in present-day Israel and features nine of the Ten Commandments in Paleo-Hebrew. Its journey included use as a paving stone before an archaeologist recognized its significance.",
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article's headline and opening sentence emphasize the high sale price and Sotheby's claim of the tablet being the oldest known with the Ten Commandments. This immediately positions the narrative to focus on the extraordinary nature of the artifact and the financial success of the auction. While skepticism is mentioned, its placement later in the text and the overall emphasis on the sale could subtly sway the reader towards accepting Sotheby's claims. The introductory paragraph focuses on the dramatic aspect of the sale, rather than the ongoing scholarly debate surrounding its provenance.
Language Bias
The article uses language that is largely neutral, but certain phrases could subtly influence the reader. The description of the tablet as having "the inscription, in paleo-Hebrew alphabet, of verses from nine of the Ten Commandments" presents a factual statement but carries an implicit weight suggesting authenticity. The phrase 'truffés de faux' (full of fakes), while a direct quote, carries a negative connotation and could be interpreted as bias against the artifact's authenticity. The article could benefit from using more neutral language, such as 'Numerous forgeries exist' instead of the more emotionally charged statement.
Bias by Omission
The article mentions skepticism from experts regarding the tablet's authenticity, quoting concerns about forgeries in the region. However, it doesn't delve into the specifics of these concerns or present counterarguments in detail. The article relies heavily on Sotheby's statement regarding the tablet's authenticity and scholarly support, without providing direct access to that evidence or independent verification. This omission could leave the reader with an incomplete picture, potentially overemphasizing the claims of authenticity.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplified narrative by focusing primarily on the sale and Sotheby's claims of authenticity, contrasting it with brief mentions of expert skepticism. This framing might inadvertently create a false dichotomy, suggesting a simple choice between believing Sotheby's and dismissing the object's importance entirely. The nuanced nature of authentication and the possibility of partial authenticity are not fully explored.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery and sale of the tablet, while debated, highlights the importance of historical artifacts in understanding cultural and religious heritage. The study and dissemination of knowledge about this artifact contribute to education about ancient history, religious texts, and cultural practices.