Cuneiform was one of the earliest forms of writing, developed in the ancient lands of Mesopotamia. The UR-III culture, as we do today, needed 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”.
UR-III Cuneiform Tablet Fragment
$43.73
A clay cuneiform tablet fragment from the UR-III period. The obverse displays fine calligraphy whilst the other sides are plain and unadorned. The fragment has been placed in a custom-made frame.
Condition: Fine condition, fragmentary. The weight and measurements of the piece alone are; 12.9g, 3.8cm width, 1.9cm height
SOLD
| Weight | 218.4 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | W 12.9 x H 13.2 cm |
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| Pottery and Porcelain | |
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