Top-7 Oldest Surviving Books in the World, Check the List

Books are not just pages with words; they are the carriers of human wisdom, culture, and history. Some of the world’s oldest surviving books date back thousands of years and still tell us about ancient beliefs, traditions, and knowledge. From religious texts to heroic tales, these works remind us how writing shaped civilizations and continues to connect us with our past.

List of Top-7 Oldest Surviving Books in the World

Books are not just about reading; they are windows into the past. The oldest books in the world are like time machines, helping us understand how early humans lived, thought, and believed. These texts were carefully carved on stone, written on papyrus, or passed down orally before being recorded. Surviving thousands of years, they show the dedication of ancient civilizations to preserve knowledge for future generations.

Here are the names of top-7 oldest surviving books in the world:

• The Pyramid Texts
• The Epic of Gilgamesh
• The Rigveda
• The Iliad and Odyssey
• The Hebrew Bible
• The Diamond Sutra
• The Gutenberg Bible

The Pyramid Texts

The Pyramid Texts are the oldest known religious writings in the world. Instead of being written on papyrus, they were carved directly into the stone walls of pyramids in Saqqara, Egypt. These inscriptions contained prayers, chants, and magical spells to guide the pharaohs safely into the afterlife. They mainly refer to gods like Osiris and Ra, and show us how deeply Egyptians believed in life after death.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh is often called the first great story ever written. It comes from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and was written on clay tablets in cuneiform script. The story follows King Gilgamesh of Uruk and his adventures, exploring themes like friendship, human struggles, and the search for immortality. The oldest complete version was found in the library of King Ashurbanipal in Nineveh.

The Rigveda

The Rigveda is the earliest text from ancient India and one of the most important scriptures in Hinduism. It contains 1,028 hymns, written in the Sanskrit language, praising natural forces and gods such as Agni (fire) and Indra (rain and thunder). Originally passed down through oral tradition, it was later written down and remains a cornerstone of Indian philosophy, culture, and religion.

The Iliad and Odyssey

Two of the greatest works of Greek literature, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are believed to have been composed by the poet Homer.

• The Iliad tells the story of the Trojan War and the anger of the warrior Achilles.
• The Odyssey narrates the long journey of Odysseus as he tries to return home after the war.

Both epics were first shared orally and later written down. They highlight themes of heroism, fate, honor, and the struggle between humans and gods, shaping Western literature for centuries.

The Hebrew Bible

The Hebrew Bible, also called the Tanakh, is the holy book of Judaism. It contains history, laws, poems, prophecies, and wisdom passed down over hundreds of years. While the earliest parts may go back to 1200 BCE, the oldest surviving manuscripts are the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the 20th century near Qumran. These scrolls, dating to about 200 BCE, confirmed the accuracy and long history of the Hebrew scriptures.

The Diamond Sutra

The Diamond Sutra is the world’s oldest printed book, created in China using woodblock printing. This Buddhist scripture teaches about wisdom and enlightenment. Found in the Dunhuang caves, it marks a turning point in history because it shows how knowledge could now be spread to many people, not just a select few.

The Gutenberg Bible

The Gutenberg Bible was the first major book printed with movable type by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany. This invention revolutionized reading by making books more widely available. The Gutenberg Bible helped spread Christianity and knowledge across Europe. Today, only about 49 copies remain, making it one of the world’s most valuable treasures.