Final answer:
The earliest Old Testament manuscripts found to date are the Dead Sea Scrolls, dating between 100 BC and AD 50, and the Vienna Genesis from the early 6th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest manuscripts of the Old Testament that have been discovered to date include the Dead Sea Scrolls, some of which have been carbon-14 dated to have been written or copied on paper made from plants that died between 100 BC and AD 50. These ancient texts include many of the books found in the Hebrew Bible, and their discovery in the mid-20th century near the shores of the Dead Sea dramatically increased our understanding of the transmission of biblical texts. Other significant Old Testament manuscripts, such as the Vienna Genesis, date from the early 6th century and were luxuriously crafted for a wealthy patron, likely someone from the imperial family, as part of the Byzantine tradition of illustrated codices. The Vienna Genesis and similar manuscripts indicate the value and significance of these sacred texts in the ancient world, serving not just for religious purposes but also as objects of art and status.