259868Ancient Egyptian Bible manuscript that took 40 years to complete will be auctioned in London with an estimate of more than $2.6 million

259868

Ancient Egyptian Bible manuscript that took 40 years to complete will be auctioned in London with an estimate of more than $2.6 million

One of the oldest books in the world, the Crosby-Sheyenne Codex, which records two complete volumes of biblical text, is about to be auctioned in London and is now worth more than $2.6 million. Codex now worth more than $2.6 million

This ancient Egyptian manuscript was copied between 250 and 350 AD in early Christian monasteries in Egypt. The manuscript is now worth more than US$2.6 million (approximately HK$20.36 million).

It took 40 years to complete the complete Bible text containing two volumes

According to foreign media reports, the “Crosby-Sheyan Codex” was completed by a scribe who took 40 years to complete. It was copied on 104 pages of papyrus in Coptic (an ancient Egyptian language), which contains It contains the two complete biblical texts of 1 Peter and Jonah.

Expert: Egypt’s dry climate text can be completely preserved

Donadoni, an expert at Christie’s auction house, said that the two complete texts contained in the book may be the earliest known “1 Peter” and “Jonah”. He pointed out that among the Christian manuscripts unearthed in the past two centuries, almost all the important finds were concentrated in Egypt, where dry climate conditions were a key factor. Due to Egypt’s dry climate, ancient books from the third and fourth centuries have been preserved to this day.

Complete ancient manuscripts are harder to find in the Middle East

However, some foreign media pointed out that it is difficult to find complete ancient manuscripts in the Middle East, especially because people in the ancient Middle East often passed down stories orally rather than recording them in written form.

Additionally, many early writing materials, such as papyrus, parchment, and paper, are susceptible to decay over time, especially in the Middle East’s variable climate. The Middle East has experienced instability in the past, including invasions, looting, wars, and political struggles, which may have resulted in the destruction and loss of ancient texts.

Currently, the “Crosby-Sheyen Codex” is well preserved and is on display at Christie’s auction house in New York. It will next be exhibited in Paris and finally auctioned in London.

Source by bastillepost