The British Museum

The Shabaka Stone: This basalt slab, measuring about 3 feet by 5.5 feet, was carved at the behest of King Shabaka (716–695 B.C.E.), the first ruler of Egypt’s XXVth Dynasty (the Nubian dynasty). The text on the stone purports to be a copy of an ancient composition describing the creation of the world by the Memphite god Ptah. Shabaka’s attempt to revive an ancient theology has a parallel in Israel, where an old book of Moses’ teachings (2 Kings 22:8) was found during the reign of King Josiah (639–608 B. C.E.). This book was probably Deuteronomy, which was then used by Josiah to carry out his religious reforms.