# List of oldest documents

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The following is a **list of the world's oldest *surviving* physical [documents](/source/Documents)**. (That is, the oldest—or earliest—known *writings*, *written works*, or *works of writing* in the [historical record](/source/Historical_record) surviving as physical documents to the present.)

## List

### 35th–32nd centuries BCE

The [Kish tablet](/source/Kish_tablet), a small [limestone](/source/Limestone) tablet from the middle [Uruk period](/source/Uruk_period) of ancient [Mesopotamia](/source/Mesopotamia), contains [pictographic](/source/Pictogram) inscriptions exemplifying an early precursor to [Cuneiform](/source/Cuneiform). Many similar tablets have been found from the same period, all of which have proven difficult to date using [radiocarbon dating](/source/Radiocarbon_dating); among these, the Kish tablet has the earliest proposed date of manufacture, although it may be from the later Uruk IV period, around 3200 BCE.[1]

The [Kushim tablets](/source/Kushim_(Uruk_period)) from the same period feature possibly the oldest [named person](/source/Historical_figure) (*Kushim*).

Another Uruk Period clay tablet that featured names dating back to around 3100 BCE includes the names of a slave owner (Gal-Sal) and their two slaves (a man, En-pap X, and a woman, Sukkalgir). This tablet was likely produced one or two generations after the Kushim Tablet.[2]

From the same period, the first named Egyptian ruler, [Iry-Hor](/source/Iry-Hor), has been found, as well as the soon-following, possibly oldest-named female ruler, [Queen Ha](/source/Queen_Ha), just before the contemporary of [Narmer](/source/Narmer), Queen [Neithhotep](/source/Neithhotep).

### 31st century BCE

The [Narmer Palette](/source/Narmer_Palette), a carved slab of [siltstone](/source/Siltstone) from the [Early Dynastic Period](/source/Early_Dynastic_Period_(Egypt)) of [Ancient Egypt](/source/Ancient_Egypt), contains some of the earliest known examples of [Egyptian hieroglyphs](/source/Egyptian_hieroglyphs). Notably, the palette contains carved [Serekhs](/source/Serekh) bearing the [rebus](/source/Rebus) symbols *n'r* (catfish) and *mr* (chisel). These are believed to be a phonetic representation of [Narmer](/source/Narmer), the first [Pharaoh](/source/Pharaoh) of [Upper and Lower Egypt](/source/Upper_and_Lower_Egypt) following their unification around 3100 BCE.

### 25th century BCE

The [Palermo Stone](/source/Palermo_Stone), a [stele](/source/Stele), containing the names of Pharaohs and other information, is made of [basalt](/source/Basalt). Fragments of the piece exist, with some of them reportedly found in [Memphis](/source/Memphis%2C_Egypt) and others in [Middle Egypt](/source/Middle_Egypt). As of 2026, the primary piece that is referred to as the Palermo stone is on display in Italy, having been purchased by a Sicilian lawyer named Ferdinand Guidano in 1859.[3][4][5]

The [Diary of Merer](/source/Diary_of_Merer) (also known as Papyrus Jarf) is the name for papyrus logbooks written over 4,500 years ago by Merer, a middle ranking official with the title inspector (sHD). Buried in front of man-made-caves that served to store boats at [Wadi al-Jarf](/source/Wadi_al-Jarf) on the Red Sea coast, the papyri were found and excavated in 2013.

### 21st century BCE

According to the [Guinness World Records](/source/Guinness_World_Records), the oldest surviving love poem, a [balbale](/source/Balbale), in the world is of Sumerian origin and written in cuneiform, discovered in [Nippur](/source/Nippur), dated to 2031 BCE, called [Istanbul #2461](/source/Istanbul_2461) by archaeologists.[6] Written on a clay tablet measuring 10.7 × 6 × 3.1 cm,[7] it is believed to have been written by a bride of the Sumerian king [Shu-Sin](/source/Shu-Sin), who reigned between 2037 BCE and 2029 BCE. The tablet is on display at the [Istanbul Archaeology Museums](/source/Istanbul_Archaeology_Museums).[8][9][10]

Bridegroom, dear to my heart,

Goodly is your beauty, honeysweet,

Lion, dear to my heart,

Goodly is your beauty, honeysweet.

— Istanbul #2461

### 18th century BCE

Dating back to 1800 BCE, to the [Old Babylonian period](/source/Old_Babylonian_period), a clay tablet containing a recipe for [squab](/source/Squab) was found, written in Akkadian cuneiform.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] No measurements, cooking times, nor preparation or cooking methods are given, stating only that one should cut the pigeon in half and make a mixture of water, fat, salt, breadcrumbs, milk-soaked herbs including onions, leeks, garlic, and an herb called "samidu", which was the equivalent of modern [semolina](/source/Semolina).[11]

The [complaint tablet to Ea-nāṣir](/source/Complaint_tablet_to_Ea-n%C4%81%E1%B9%A3ir), a clay tablet written in Akkadian cuneiform found in [Iraq](/source/Iraq), is the first recorded customer complaint. It was written by a customer named Nanni, who complains that copper which he purchased from the merchant Ea-Nasir was of the incorrect grade.[12]

### 14th century BCE

In 2010, a clay fragment bearing [Akkadian cuneiform](/source/Akkadian_Cuneiform), comparable in size to that of an [olive](/source/Olive), was discovered by Israeli [archaeologists](/source/Archaeology) during the excavation of a tower, the tower itself dating back to the 10th century BCE, in [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem), that was determined to have originated in 14th century BCE.[13] The document, nearly 3,400 years old at the time of its discovery, was older than any other ancient text discovered in Jerusalem by at least 600 years. Further examination revealed that the clay had originated in the Jerusalem area and that the scribe responsible was highly skilled.[14] It is the only cuneiform text to have ever been discovered in the area. Previously, the oldest document found in Jerusalem was a tablet, found in the [Shiloah](/source/Shiloah) water tunnel, dating back to 8th century BCE.[15]

The **Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya**, shortly known as the **Wakoklon**, is one of the oldest scriptures ([puyas](/source/Puya_(Meitei_texts))) in [Sanamahism](/source/Sanamahism), the [Meetei religion](/source/Sanamahism) of [Ancient Kangleipak](/source/Ancient_Kangleipak) ([Antique Manipur](/source/Ancient_Kangleipak)). It is verified that it was written in 1398 BC (3400 years ago) by the National Archives, New Delhi.[16] The text is considered by the people and the [Government of Manipur](/source/Government_of_Manipur) as the source of the [Kanglei Eeyek (Meetei script)](/source/Meitei_script).[17]

### 13th century BCE

Extant direct records from the [Shang dynasty](/source/Shang_dynasty) date from approximately 1250 BCE. These records primarily consist of [oracle bones](/source/Oracle_bones) and [bronze inscriptions](/source/Chinese_bronze_inscriptions), and also include a small number of other writings on pottery, jade and other materials.[18]

### 4th century BCE

The oldest of the [Dead Sea Scrolls](/source/Dead_Sea_Scrolls) are thought to date from this period, although some may be as recent as the 1st century CE. They are written almost entirely in [Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language), [Aramaic](/source/Aramaic), and [Greek](/source/Greek_Language). About 30% of the [Hebrew Bible](/source/Hebrew_Bible) is accounted for in these ancient scrolls and fragments, as well as a vast library of other historical, apocalyptic, legal, and devotional texts.[19]

The oldest [bamboo slips](/source/Bamboo_and_wooden_slips) date from this period, including the [Tsinghua Bamboo Slips](/source/Tsinghua_Bamboo_Slips) and [Changtaiguan Bamboo Slips](/source/Changtaiguan_Bamboo_Slips).

### 2nd century BCE

The [Nash Papyrus](/source/Nash_Papyrus), a collection of four [papyrus](/source/Papyrus) fragments written in Hebrew, was found in 1898, and was, prior to the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known example of the written Hebrew language. The fragments contain parts of the [Ten Commandments](/source/Ten_Commandments) and the [Shema Yisrael](/source/Shema_Yisrael). The documents were acquired in Egypt, by W. L. Nash, and are believed to have originated in [Faiyum](/source/Faiyum), though it is possible they originated elsewhere.

The map found at [Fangmatan](/source/Fangmatan) Tomb 5 is the earliest extant paper (not papyrus, parchment, bamboo slips, etc.) document.

### 1st century BCE

[Gandhāran Buddhist texts](/source/Gandh%C4%81ran_Buddhist_texts) are the oldest known manuscripts originating in [South Asia](/source/South_Asia). They are written on birch bark or palm leaves, in the [Gandhari language](/source/Gandhari_language), and are housed in various collections around the world.

### 1st century CE

[Gabriel's Revelation](/source/Gabriel's_Revelation) is a stone tablet, written in ink.

### 11th century CE

The [Celtic Psalter](/source/Celtic_Psalter), Scotland's oldest surviving book, written in Latin, dating back to the 11th century CE or earlier is on display at the [University of Edinburgh](/source/University_of_Edinburgh) in [Scotland](/source/Scotland).[20] It's unknown as to how the university acquired the piece or where it originated. Photos of its pages show that, while its original binding is lost, the pages are still in remarkable condition, their colors still vibrant and words legible.[21]

The [Missal of Silos](/source/Missal_of_Silos) is the oldest known surviving paper document (as opposed to parchment) of European origin in existence today, dating back to at least 1080 CE. It was made by the monastery at the [Santa María la Real of Nájera](/source/Santa_Mar%C3%ADa_la_Real_of_N%C3%A1jera).

## See also

- [Ancient literature#Incomplete list of ancient texts](/source/Ancient_literature#Incomplete_list_of_ancient_texts)

- [Ancient text corpora](/source/Ancient_text_corpora)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Hayes, John L., 1990 *A Manual of Sumerian Grammar and Texts*, Undena Publications, p.266

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Krulwich, Robert (2015-08-19). ["Who's the First Person in History Whose Name We Know?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180707050035/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2015/08/19/whos-the-first-person-in-history-whose-name-we-know/). *[National Geographic](/source/National_Geographic)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2015/08/19/whos-the-first-person-in-history-whose-name-we-know/) on July 7, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The Palermo Stone"](https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Palermo-Stone-recto-here-and-verso-next-page-C-The-Palermo-Stone-Project-M_fig5_356658465). *ResearchGate*. November 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas"](https://mainlymuseums.com/post/806/the-regional-archaeological-museum-antonio-salinas/). *Mainly Museums*. Retrieved March 18, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas"](https://www.weekendinitaly.com/en/sicily/regional-archaeological-museum-antonio-salinas). *Weekend in Italy*. Retrieved March 18, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Oldest love poem"](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-love-poem/). *Guinness World Records*. Retrieved 2019-09-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Fant, Clyde E.; Reddish, Mitchell G. (2008-10-15). [*Lost Treasures of the Bible: Understanding the Bible Through Archaeological Artifacts in World Museums*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Dj6zVQJz7zYC&q=Cuneiform+tablets+of+istanbul+2461&pg=PA247). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780802828811](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780802828811). [*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Sebnem Arsu. [The Oldest Line in the World](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/14/world/europe/the-oldest-line-in-the-world.html) // The New York Times, 14-Feb-2006. [*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Madrigal, Marc (December 25, 2017). ["The oldest love poem: A missing key to understanding Song of Songs?"](https://evangelicalfocus.com/archaeological-perspectives/3132/the-oldest-love-poem-a-missing-key-to-understanding-song-of-songs). *Evangelical Focus*. Retrieved March 20, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Ramirez, David (May 11, 2024). ["A 4,000 year old cuneiform clay tablet with the world's first love poem"](https://www.anatolianarchaeology.net/a-4000-year-old-cuneiform-clay-tablet-with-the-worlds-first-love-poem/). *Anatolian Archaeology*. Retrieved March 20, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Laura Kelley (21 October 2017). ["Mesopotamian Ingredients"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120723103827/http://www.silkroadgourmet.com/some-mesopotamian-ingredients-revealed/). Archived from [the original](https://silkroadgourmet.com/some-mesopotamian-ingredients-revealed) on 23 July 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Letters - Archaeology Magazine"](https://archaeology.org/issues/may-june-2016/collection/cuneiform-letters/the-worlds-oldest-writing/). *www.archaeology.org*. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem discovered"](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100712102816.htm). *ScienceDaily*. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Oldest Known Document Uncovered in Jerusalem"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190905034637/https://www.voanews.com/world-news/middle-east-dont-use/oldest-known-document-uncovered-jerusalem). *Voice of America*. Archived from [the original](https://www.voanews.com/world-news/middle-east-dont-use/oldest-known-document-uncovered-jerusalem) on September 5, 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Tiny fragment bears oldest script found in Jerusalem"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7886560/Tiny-fragment-bears-oldest-script-found-in-Jerusalem.html). *The Daily Telegraph*. 2010-07-12. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0307-1235](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0307-1235). Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Archived copy"](http://paochelsalaitaret.net/puya/puyaproof.pdf) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210831014724/http://paochelsalaitaret.net/puya/puyaproof.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2020.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (2015-10-16). [*Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur*](https://books.google.com/books?id=OzjbCgAAQBAJ&dq=Wakoklon+Thilel+Salai+Amailon+Pukok+Puya+Govern-+ment+source+Kanglei+Eeyek+%28Kanglei+script%29&pg=PA235). Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-317-27066-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-317-27066-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Qiu, Xigui, 2000 *Chinese writing, trans. by Gilbert L. Mattos and Jerry Norman*, Berkeley: Society for the Study of Early China and The Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-55729-071-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-55729-071-7). (English translation of Wénzìxué Gàiyào 文字學概要, Shangwu, 1988.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Davies, Philip R. ["Dead Sea Scrolls"](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dead-Sea-Scrolls). *britannica.com*. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 14 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Scotland's oldest surviving book still in Scotland: The Celtic Psalter | Transceltic - Home of the Celtic nations"](https://www.transceltic.com/blog/scotlands-oldest-surviving-book-still-scotland-celtic-psalter). *www.transceltic.com*. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Search Results: All Fields similar to 'Celtic and Psalter' and What equal to 'Celtic Psalter, 11th C.' - University of Edinburgh"](https://images.is.ed.ac.uk/luna/servlet/view/search/what/Celtic+Psalter,+11th+C.?q=Celtic+Psalter). *images.is.ed.ac.uk*. Retrieved 2019-09-05.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [List of oldest documents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_documents) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_documents?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.