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2,500-Year-Old Shopping Lists Give Evidence of When Bible Was Written

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A discovery of 2,500-year-old to-do lists written on pottery is causing scholars to think the Bible was written years early than thought. 

The Israel Antiquities Authority published their findings on what are called "ostraca" in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focusing on 16 inscriptions found in a Negev Desert fortress near the Dead Sea. 

The ostraca, written by six authors around 600 BCE (BC), indicates a "proliferation of literacy," or large number of literate citizens. 

"Proliferation of literacy is considered a precondition for the creation of such texts," study authors wrote. 

Even soldiers in lower ranks of the Judahite army could read and write, according to these findings. The inscriptions are simple lists of daily tasks and instructions. 

"To Eliashib: And now, give the Kittiyim 3 baths of wine, and write the name of the day," one of the texts states in ancient Hebrew using the paleo-Hebrew alphabet, and apparently referring to a Greek mercenary unit in the area.

Another note inscription said: "And a full homer of wine, bring tomorrow; don't be late. And if there is vinegar, give it to them."

Scholars have debated when the first major phase of compilation of biblical texts took place; before or after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE (BC). The discovery of these 16 texts sheds light on the possible composition time frame for Biblical texts.

"This indicates a high degree of literacy in the Judahite administrative apparatus and provides a possible stage setting for compilation of biblical texts," they added. "After the kingdom's demise, a similar literacy level reemerges only ca.(circa) 200 BCE (BC)."
 

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