Expert: Francesco Marchesani - 4/24/2006

Question
I'm trying to find out what is the oldest written question? My company is giving a presentation about the value of inquiry, and we'd like to quote the oldest known question. Are the ancient sea scrolls the oldest known text, and did they contain any questions? And if so, what? We're looking for something pre-dating the new testament. Many thanks for any help you can offer! Carin Walsh

Answer
Hello,
the most ancient texts found by archeologists are Mesopotamian clay tablets. Please see these web sites for more informations:

http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/writing/story/sto_set.html
http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/Games/cuneiform.shtml

Actually, the oldest written questions from that period are schoolchildren's exercises!