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harry potter - What is earliest version of a "horcrux"?



I just realized a few days ago that Sauron's One Ring is kind-of like a horcrux, in that Sauron can't ever be totally destroyed as long as the One Ring exists. That set me to wondering: did Tolkien invent that idea, or did he take it from some other legend? How far back does the "horcrux" idea go? (Not taking away from JKR the originality of murdering someone as the way to make a horcrux.)


[edit: For purposes of discussion, I am asking about a device/means to allow one to survive death, which requires one to put a large part of one's power/soul into the device, but which does not change one's mode of existence.]


[edit: The interesting question about a phylactery as a soul jar is different. First, it is asking if there is a logical line of reasoning or literary transition for phylacteries (boxes of scripture worn on the forehead and arm) morphing into soul jars (containers for souls). It isn't asking for the origin of the "horcrux" (soul jar) idea. Second, the phylacteries in the question are used by liches (sorcerers who have turned themselves into undead) in D&D, so the other question isn't even asking about soul jars in general. Third, Sauron's Ring and Voldemort's horcruxes did not change them into undead creatures, but rather allowed them to survive having their bodies killed. So the phylacteries of the other question are very different sorts of soul jars. Hope this edit clarifies.]




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