Mar 18, 2025
As a student, you may have come across hundreds, if not thousands, of books by authors worldwide across different periods of human history. Some lesser-known books are believed to be the oldest surviving testaments to knowledge. Learn more about them here.
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One of the earliest literary works, this Mesopotamian epic follows King Gilgamesh of Uruk’s quest for immortality. Written on 12 clay tablets in Akkadian, it explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the human condition.
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The world’s oldest religious texts, carved in Egyptian pyramids, contain spells to guide pharaohs in the afterlife. They reveal ancient beliefs about death, resurrection, and the divine.
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Discovered near Qumran, these Jewish texts include biblical manuscripts and sectarian writings. They offer insights into Second Temple Judaism and the development of the Hebrew Bible.
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One of the oldest complete Bibles, written in Greek, it includes the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament. A key resource for studying early Christian texts and biblical history.
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A stunning illuminated manuscript of the Gospels, created by Irish monks around 800 CE. Known for its intricate artwork, it blends Christian and Celtic artistic traditions.
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The first major book printed with movable type in Europe (1455 CE). It revolutionized book production and marked the beginning of the printing revolution.
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The world’s oldest dated printed book (868 CE), a Buddhist text from China. It reflects early printing technology and the spread of Mahayana Buddhist teachings.
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A 5th-century Greek manuscript of the Bible, containing most of the Old and New Testaments. It’s a vital resource for biblical scholarship and textual criticism.
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