- The Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2150 BC): This ancient Mesopotamian poem is considered to be the oldest surviving work of literature.
- The Code of Hammurabi (c. 1750 BC): This Babylonian legal code is one of the oldest known examples of a systematic code of laws.
- The Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BC): This Egyptian medical text is one of the oldest known medical documents.
- The Book of the Dead (c. 1550 BC): This ancient Egyptian religious text is one of the oldest known religious documents.
- The Rigveda (c. 1500 BC): This ancient Indian religious text is one of the oldest known collections of hymns.
These are just a few examples of documents that predate the Declaration of Independence. While the Declaration of Independence is an important and influential document, it is not the oldest document alive.