The new findings come after a team of Israeli mathematicians and archaeologists performed computerized handwriting analysis on some ancient texts, analysis similar to what intelligence agencies and banks do. They found some key biblical texts were composed BEFORE the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, much earlier than previously thought. A review of some ancient inscriptions revealed there could've been six different authors, meaning more people than suspected could read and write in ancient Judea. And that means there was probably a good educational system at the time, good enough to make everyone from commanders to foot soldiers literate. The findings also show there was enough literacy to write and compile large chunks of the Old Testament during this period--again, much earlier than previously thought.