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Mesopotamian Science and Technology
Mesopotamian science and technology developed during the Uruk Period (4100-2900 BCE) and Early Dynastic Period (2900-1750 BCE) of the Sumerian culture of southern Mesopotamia. The foundation of future Mesopotamian advances in scientific/technological...
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Immortality of Writers in Ancient Egypt
For the ancient Egyptians, life on earth was only one part of an eternal journey which continued after death. One's purpose in life was to live in balance with one's self, family, community, and the gods. Any occupation in Egypt was considered...
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Cuneiform Writing
A relief of cuneiform writing from Assyria.
Exhibited in the British Museum London.
Definition
Sumerian Language
The Sumerian language was spoken in southern Mesopotamia before the 2nd millennium BCE and was the first language to be written in the cuneiform script. It is an isolate language meaning we know of no other languages that relate to it ancestrally...
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Early Writing Tablet
This table is made of clay and was found in Southern Iraq (3100-3000 BCE). Early writing was used as a way to keep track of the administration and it was only in later years its uses evolved. Early writing in Mesopotamia was made by pressing...
Definition
Kharosthi Script
The Kharosthi script (also known as 'Indo-Bactrian' script) was a writing system originally developed in present-day northern Pakistan, sometime between the 4th and 3rd century BCE. Kharosthi was employed to represent a form of Prakrit (Middle...
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Wooden Writing-tablet
Wooden writing-tablet, 1st-2nd century CE, from Londinium (Roman London). British Museum, London
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Oldest Writing in Switzerland
Copy of funerary stela with inscription, Vira-Gambarogno, Ticino. 5th century BC. The name of the deceased reads from bottom to top: teromui kalui.
Find our more: The Oldest Writing in Switzerland.
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Mysterious Writing on a Tablet from Al-Balqa
This clay tablet is one of 12 tablets which were found near the temple of Tell Deir Alla in 1964. The inscriptions on the surface of the tablets are still unknown and this mysterious writing cannot be deciphered. Before 1200 BCE. From Al-Balqa...
Definition
Illuminated Manuscripts
Illuminated manuscripts were hand-made books, usually on Christian scripture or practice, produced in Western Europe between c. 500-c. 1600. They are so called because of the use of gold and silver which illuminates the text and accompanying...