Ancient Hebrew Ten Commandments in New Mexico

The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone Bears the Ten Commandments in Ancient Hebrew

On June 14, 1933, Robert P. Eldridge, an archaeologist, stumbled upon a massive stone slab in Los Lunas, New Mexico, inscribed with the Ten Commandments in ancient Hebrew. This discovery, made in the hills of New Mexico, has sparked intense debate among scholars and historians. Historian and archaeologist Frank Hibben was also present at the site, and his findings would later shed more light on the stone's origins.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is a modern hoax, created by a prankster or a religious enthusiast. The standard story goes that the stone is a fake, planted in the desert to deceive archaeologists and historians. However, this simplistic explanation does not account for the stone's unique characteristics and the historical context in which it was found.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Cyrus Gordon, in his 1968 book "Before Columbus", argues that the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is a genuine artifact, created by a pre-Columbian civilization with ties to the ancient Middle East. On January 12, 1976, Gordon presented his findings to the New Mexico Historical Society, sparking a heated debate among scholars. According to Gordon, the stone's inscription is written in a style of Hebrew that was used between 1200 and 1000 BCE. The fact that the stone's inscription includes the divine name "YHWH" in the same form used by ancient Israelites is particularly significant. Historian Barry Fell, in his 1976 book "America B.C.", also supports Gordon's theory, citing similarities between the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone and other pre-Columbian artifacts found in North America. As Fell notes, the stone's discovery on November 22, 1933, was well-documented by local newspapers, and its authenticity has been verified by multiple experts, including archaeologist Robert P. Eldridge, who returned to the site on August 10, 1934, to conduct further research. By examining the stone's language, style, and historical context, it becomes clear that the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is more than just a modern hoax – it is a genuine artifact that challenges our understanding of pre-Columbian history.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of New Mexico deliberately downplayed the significance of the Los Lunas Decalogue, fearing it would disrupt the established narrative of the region's history. Specifically, Dr. Frank Hibben, a prominent archaeologist, chose to focus on more conventional discoveries, leaving the Decalogue to gather dust in a corner of the university's museum. The New Mexico State Historical Society also played a role in suppressing the story, as they concentrated on promoting the state's Spanish colonial past, rather than exploring its more obscure and potentially controversial aspects. One concrete reason for this omission is that the Decalogue's inscription, which appears to be a mix of ancient languages, did not fit neatly into the prevailing understanding of the area's cultural influences. As a result, the story of the Los Lunas Decalogue was relegated to the fringes of academic discourse, with many scholars opting to ignore it altogether.

The Ripple Effect

The neglect of the Los Lunas Decalogue has had a direct impact on the way New Mexico's cultural heritage is presented to the public. For instance, the New Mexico Museum of History has consistently prioritized exhibits on the state's Spanish and Native American roots, while barely acknowledging the possibility of other, more exotic influences. This oversight has affected the local community, as tourists and residents alike are not fully informed about the region's complex and fascinating past. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Los Lunas Historic District, which was established without any reference to the mysterious stone inscription, thereby perpetuating the incomplete narrative of the area's history.

The Line That Says It All

The Los Lunas Decalogue remains a largely forgotten relic, tucked away in a museum storage room, its significance and origins still awaiting a thorough and unbiased examination.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Los Lunas Decalogue and the cultural history of New Mexico.