Codices older than the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Jordan's Department of Antiquities is claiming a new archeological find that may provide Christian writings older than the Dead Sea Scrolls. How old? Possibly within a few decades of the Crucifixion.

They seem almost incredible claims - so what is the evidence?

The books, or "codices", were apparently cast in lead, before being bound by lead rings.

Their leaves - which are mostly about the size of a credit card - contain text in Ancient Hebrew, most of which is in code.

If the relics are of early Christian origin rather than Jewish, then they are of huge significance.

Of course, the Jordanian claims should be taken with a grain of salt. They have a vested interest in this discovery being huge. But it is still exciting.