The Mysterious Los Lunas Decalogue Stone: The Ten Commandments in the New Mexico Desert

The Mysterious Los Lunas Decalogue Stone: The Ten Commandments in the New Mexico Desert.

Deep in the desert of New Mexico, near the town of Los Lunas, lies a mysterious artifact that has sparked debate and intrigue for decades. Known as the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone, this large boulder is inscribed with what appears to be the Ten Commandments written in Paleo-Hebrew, an ancient script that predates modern Hebrew. The existence of this stone has led some to believe that the Lost Tribe of Israel may have made its way to the New World long before Columbus.

The Discovery of the Stone

The exact origins of the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone remain shrouded in mystery. According to local oral traditions, people knew about the stone as far back as the 1850s. However, official credit for its discovery is often attributed to Frank Hibben, an archaeologist from the University of New Mexico. Hibben claimed that he was shown the stone by a local resident, who said that he had known about it since childhood in the 1880s​.

Interestingly, the stone was said to be covered in lichen and almost indistinguishable from other rocks in the area, suggesting that it had been exposed to the elements for many years, possibly even centuries.

The Ten Commandments in Paleo-Hebrew

The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is an 80-ton boulder with one flat side carved with a passage from Exodus, listing the Ten Commandments. The text is written in Paleo-Hebrew, an ancient form of the Hebrew language that was in use during the early centuries of the first millennium BC. This has led some to speculate that the stone could be proof of early Jewish travelers, possibly the Lost Tribe of Israel, reaching the Americas​.

In 1985, mineralogist George Morehouse examined the stone's carvings and concluded that the weathering patterns on the rock suggested the inscriptions were between 500 and 2,000 years old. This finding added fuel to the theory that the stone was not a modern-day hoax but a relic of an ancient civilization.

Could the Lost Tribes of Israel Have Reached New Mexico?

Supporters of the theory that Jewish travelers reached New Mexico believe that the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone may provide critical evidence. We now know that Christopher Columbus was not the first European to set foot in the Americas. Other explorers, including the Vikings and travelers from Asia and the Middle East, might have arrived much earlier. It’s possible that Hebrew sailors crossed the Atlantic and ventured inland, perhaps guided by indigenous people​.

There are other clues that suggest contact between Hebrews and native tribes of North America, though these remain unproven. The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is seen by some as the missing piece of evidence that could confirm such contact.

Skepticism and Doubt

Despite the fascinating nature of the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone, many experts are skeptical about its authenticity. One of the main reasons for doubt stems from Frank Hibben's credibility. On more than one occasion, Hibben was accused of fabricating findings to support his personal theories. Critics argue that the Los Lunas Stone could be another example of false archaeology intended to create sensational claims​.

Additionally, experts in ancient languages have pointed out anomalies in the inscription. While most of the text is written in Paleo-Hebrew, there are a few letters that resemble ancient Greek characters, which has raised further questions about the stone's authenticity. There is also at least one use of an archaic Hebrew letter that doesn't seem to fit with the overall script​.

Conclusion: Hoax or Historical Artifact?

The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone remains one of the most mysterious and debated artifacts in the American Southwest. Whether it is a genuine relic of ancient Jewish travelers or an elaborate hoax, the stone continues to fascinate historians, archaeologists, and conspiracy theorists alike.

If authentic, the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone would provide compelling evidence of pre-Columbian contact between the Old World and the Americas, reshaping our understanding of history. On the other hand, if it is indeed a hoax, it serves as a reminder of how easily history can be manipulated and the importance of maintaining a critical eye when evaluating extraordinary claims.

For now, the Los Lunas Decalogue Stone stands as a symbol of unanswered questions, inviting further exploration into the mysteries of the past​.