This proto-cuneiform tablet represents the first step in managing complex systems of trade and administration as cities grew and economies became more sophisticated in Mesopotamia. This writing ...

This piece of clay contains some of the earliest writing in the world. It's called 'cuneiform,' which means wedge-shaped. This tablet is a record of the daily beer rations for workers. Beer here ...

and then the tablet was baked. Cuneiform is one of the earliest forms of written expression and so represents a huge leap forward by human kind. This writing system was in use for more than 30 ...

Deciphering some people's writing can be a major challenge—especially when that writing is cuneiform characters imprinted ...

These administrative tablets, containing cuneiform symbols, an ancient writing system, record the affairs of the state, including issues relating to land management and the movement of goods and ...

4 x 5.6 x 1.5 cm (1 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 5/8 in.) ...

3 x 2.7 x 1.6 cm (1 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 5/8 in.) ...

and then the tablet was baked. Cuneiform is one of the earliest forms of written expression and so represents a huge leap forward by human kind. This writing system was in use for more than 30 ...

Middle East scholars can now use artificial intelligence to identify and copy cuneiform characters from photos of tablets, letting them read complicated scripts with ease.