|
World's Oldest Book Exhibited in Sofia
05/28/2003
The world's oldest book in the history of mankind
written in Etruscan, the language that is now lost, can be
seen in Bulgaria's National Museum of History.
The
world's oldest book in the history of mankind written in Etruscan, the
language that is now lost, can be seen in Bulgaria's National
Museum of History in Sofia. The rarity consists of 6 pages
made of 24-carat gold and fastened together; the pages are
covered with text and carry images of a horseman, a mermaid, a
lyre and warriors.
The small book
which age is over 2.5 thousand years was accidentally
discovered 60 years ago in an old tomb with frescoes. The tomb
was discovered in the Valley of Bulgarian Struma River during
road construction works.
A Bulgarian who
lives in Macedonia presented the museum with the artifact on
condition of anonymity. The benefactor discovered the book
himself. As is known, the man is 87 years old now.
The
authenticity of the book was confirmed by two independent
experts in Sofia and London, Director of the Museum Bozhidar
Dimitrov says. As is considered, the 6 gold pages fastened
together are unique; only single plates with texts in Etruscan
have been discovered until recently.
|
