Old Babylonian Clay Cuneiform Tablet with Administrative Text

This is a square clay pillow-shaped writing tablet dating to the Old Babylonian period. Cuneiform scripts are engraved on one side, possibly transcribing an administrative text; the revesre is unadorned. The piece displays some cracks and flaking across its body and the lower section appears to have been truncated at some point in antiquity, leaving a rough, irregular base edge. There are some chips to the reverse surface also.

Cuneiform writing 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. They would write these documents and letters on a wet clay tablet, which was then dried.

Measurements: circa 4. 5cm x 4. 5cm x 2. 4cm

Providence: Ex collection of a deceased gentleman by descent to his family in London and Geneva, collection acquired 1970-1990.