How the oldest known Hebrew book landed in a Washington museum

This undated photo shows the Afghan Liturgical Quire on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington. The manuscript has been carbon-dated to the 8th century, making it the oldest-known Hebrew book. This undated photo shows the Afghan Liturgical Quire on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington. Experts say the pocket-size book is remarkably well-preserved for its age. This undated photo shows the Afghan Liturgical Quire on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington. A second exhibit is planned for New York starting this month.

In 2016, Herschel Hepler was browsing Google Images to practice his paleography — the study of historical writing systems — when he stumbled upon an eerily familiar photo that would lead to a groundbreaking discovery.