The world has seen millions of books and texts written throughout history, but only a select few have survived over the centuries or even millennia.
These ancient works and writings have survived the consequences of war, fire, and decay, giving us a great look into the past and the knowledge of our ancestors.
In this article, we will explore the top 5 oldest known surviving books and literary texts ever discovered.
Note that in this list, we’re not only including books as we know them today, but we’ve also included some texts inscribed on walls or stone tablets.
And even though some would argue those cannot be placed in the same category, indeed writings on the walls (like The Pyramid Texts), were some kind early of books.
Interesting fact: Book printing is believed to have originated in China during the Tang Dynasty, which spanned from 618 to 907 CE.
And so. Let’s start with the list.
1. The Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls or Qumran Caves Scrolls are a collection of Jewish texts that were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in the vicinity of the Dead Sea.
The scrolls were found in 11 caves, and they comprise over 900 manuscripts, including fragments of every book in the Hebrew Bible except for the Book of Esther.
The scrolls are believed to have been written between the third century BCE and the first century CE.
Content and Significance
The Dead Sea Scrolls include a variety of texts, including biblical commentaries, hymns, prayers, and legal documents.
The texts provide insight into the beliefs and practices of the Jewish community during the Second Temple period.
They also shed light on the development of Judaism and the origins of Christianity.
Interesting fact: Some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were written in code, and it took scholars many years to decipher them.
2. The Pyramid Texts
The Pyramid Texts are a collection of ancient Egyptian religious texts dating back to the Old Kingdom period, around 2400 BCE. These texts were inscribed on the walls inside of pyramids and were intended to guide the pharaohs in the afterlife.
Discovery and Location
The Pyramid Texts were first discovered in the late 19th century by the French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero.
They were found in the pyramid of Unas, located in the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, near modern-day Cairo.
Today, the Pyramid Texts can be found in the pyramids of the pharaohs who commissioned them, including Teti, Pepi I, Merenre, and Pepi II.
And even though those texts do not have the same form as books today, they can be considered early forms of written literature or early books.
In terms of their structure and content, the Pyramid Texts can indeed be compared to early books, as they represent a systematic compilation of religious and ritualistic knowledge intended for a specific purpose, much like later religious texts or instructional manuals found in early civilizations.
Interesting fact: The Pyramid Texts are the oldest known religious texts in the world.
Linguistic Value
The Pyramid Texts are also of great linguistic value as they provide insight into the ancient Egyptian language and its evolution over time.
They are written in the form of hieroglyphics known as “Old Kingdom Egyptian” and contain many unique words and phrases not found in later Egyptian texts.
Interesting fact: The Pyramid Texts contain the first known reference to the god Osiris, who would later become one of the most important gods in the Egyptian pantheon.
3. The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that dates back to approximately 2000 BCE. The poem tells the story of Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, and his quest for immortality.
The epic is divided into twelve tablets, each of which tells a different part of the story. The tablets were discovered in the ruins of the Library of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh in the mid-19th century.
Cultural Impact
The Epic of Gilgamesh has had a significant impact on world literature and culture. The story has been adapted into various forms of media, including plays, films, and novels.
The themes of the epic, such as the search for immortality and the struggle between mortality and divinity, continue to resonate with readers today.
Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh, dating back to the old Babylonian period (2003–1595 BC), was relatively recently discovered and is now housed in the Sulaymaniyah Museum, Iraq.
4. The Rigveda
The Rigveda is one of the oldest known surviving books in the world. It is a sacred text of Hinduism and is believed to have been composed between 1500-1200 BCE.
The Rigveda contains a collection of hymns, prayers, and mantras that were recited by the Vedic priests during religious ceremonies.
Composition and Collection
The Rigveda is composed of 1028 hymns divided into ten books, known as Mandalas. The hymns are written in Vedic Sanskrit and are dedicated to various deities such as Indra, Agni, and Soma.
The collection of hymns was passed down orally from generation to generation until they were eventually written down on palm leaves.
Religious Importance
The Rigveda holds great religious importance in Hinduism. It is considered to be the primary source of knowledge about the Vedic religion and contains important information about the gods and goddesses worshipped in ancient India.
The hymns in the Rigveda are still recited today during Hindu religious ceremonies.
The oldest copies of the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda are currently on display at the Bhandarkar Oriental Institute in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
5. The Gutenberg Bible
The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, is considered one of the most important books in the history of printing. It was printed by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, between 1455 and 1456.
Printing Revolution
The Gutenberg Bible was the first book to be printed with movable type in the Western world.
It marked the beginning of the printing revolution and had a significant impact on the spread of knowledge and ideas. The printing press allowed for the mass production of books, making them more accessible to a larger audience.
Interesting fact: The Gutenberg Bible was printed in Latin and was the first book to include page numbers.
Remaining Copies and Their Condition
Today, there are only 49 copies of the Gutenberg Bible known to exist, making it a very rare and valuable book. The majority of the surviving copies are held in libraries and museums, with only a few in private collections.
The condition of the remaining copies varies, with some being in excellent condition and others showing signs of wear and tear. Some copies have missing pages or damaged bindings.
Interesting fact: The last complete Gutenberg Bible to be sold at auction was in 1978 and got a price of over $2 million.
