Old, very old people

I admit I'm proud. My ancestors (Israelites) were fighting moral battles and creating the most enduring and influential civilization on earth more than 3,000 years ago.  Nobody goes back that far continuously and is still arguing the same issues. (My blog is an example of the 3,000 year long argument about these issues.)

This was what was found in the Valley of Elah in Israel, about 20 miles southeast of Tel Aviv: a 6 x 6 inch shard with ink writing in proto-Hebrew. This translation was released a few days ago.

"You shall not do it, but worship the Lord. Judge the slave and the widow. Judge the orphan and the stranger. Plead for the infant. Plead for the poor and the widow. Rehabilitate the poor at the hands of the King. Protect the poor and the slave. Support the stranger."

Very pro commerce.