The World’s Oldest Will

Archeological evidence indicates that people have been writing wills for thousands of years. The oldest will ever found appears to have been left by an Egyptian more than 3,800 years ago. Here is the translation:

“I, Uah, devise to my wife Sheftu, the woman of Gesab called Teta, daughter of Sat Sepdu, all properties given to me by my brother Ankh-ren. She shall give it to whomsoever she may see fit of her issue born to me. I devise to her the Eastern slaves, 4 persons, that my brother Ankh-ren gave me. She shall give them to whomsoever she may see fit to her children. As to my tomb, let me be buried in it with my wife, alone. Moreover, as to the house built for me by my brother Ankh-ren, my wife shall dwell therein and shall not be evicted by any person. The deputy Sebu shall act as guardian of my son. Done in the presence of these witnesses:

Kemen, Decorator of Columns
Apu, Doorkeeper of the Temple
Senb, son of Senb, Doorkeeper of the temple”
(Egypt, circa 1805 BC)

Some of our readers have wills that, while not as old as Uah’s, may have been written several decades ago. Old wills need to be taken out periodically, dusted off and updated for any changes that have occurred since the original drafting. Births, deaths, changes in marital status or place of residence all may require will revisions.


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