Cuneiform was one of the earliest forms of writing, developed in the ancient lands of Mesopotamia. Babylonian society was a complex social structure and had a need, as we do today, to record such things as temple acquisitions, land transactions, financial loans, as well as their epic stories and personal letters. When the clay was wet, a reed pen or stylus would incise the piece with etchings. The clay would then be fired or left in the sun to dry, making the text permanent. Earlier forms started as pictographs which evolved into abstract forms which included circular impressions representing numerical symbols. Cuneiform is instantly recognisable by the wedge-shaped marks, usually pressed into clay tablets. Indeed, the name ‘cuneiform’ literally means “wedge-shaped”.
Old Babylonian Small Cuneiform Tablet
£ 165.00
A small pillow-shaped square clay cuneiform tablet from the Old Babylonian period. Cuneiform scripts have been incised on the obverse along with one of the sides however; some sections are either worn or now missing due to age. It is likely this tablet was recording administrative texts.
Provenance: Deceased gentleman's estate, inherited by his children and grandchildren in London and Geneva, pre 1988
Condition: Fine condition, majority of the script has faded due to age.
In stock
| Weight | 24.7 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | W 2.7 x H 2.9 cm |
| Culture | |
| Pottery and Porcelain | |
| Region |
