What is the oldest piece of evidence pertaining to Judaism? Who's the first person we're sure existed, first event, first town or kingdom etc?

by hummusforthought
trphilli

We have pieces from the books of Numbers that date from the 7th century BCE.

http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2010/01/06/The-Blessing-of-the-Silver-Scrolls.aspx

tejaco

Evidence is reasonably strong that there actually was a King David. At least, there is an inscription that refers to the "House of David"--his subsequent dynasty. His dating is to around 1000 BCE (not entirely uncontested, but then, what is?). So far as I know, no one earlier in the Bible has any external corroboration of their existence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Dan_Stele

ljak

Probably the Merneptah Stele, dated c. 1208 BCE.

3 of its 28 lines deal with a military campaign in Canaan, and one line states that "Israel is laid waste". The way it's worded suggests that "Israel" at the time was a tribe rather than a kingdom.

comicland

Ive never posted here before but Ive been lurking for a while. This overmoderation is really beginning to bother me. I can't stand seeing all these deleted comments and shadowbanned posters. When there is a reponse to deleted posts that is allowed to stay, we're left without context.

It's to a point I'm considering unsubbing. I anticipate This post will be deleted soon.