Clay nails C016 / 4535
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Clay nails C016 / 4535
Clay nails inscribed with cuneiform script. Clay nails were inscribed with dedicatory text and and embedded into the wall of a building. Cuneiform, the first written language, was invented by the Sumerians who inhabited Mesopotamia (now south-eastern Iraq) from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC. It was written on clay tablets with a reed stylus. The language died with the civilisation upon the rise of Babylonia in the late 3rd millennium BC, but the writing system was adopted by the Babylonians, Assyrians and Persians. These nails date to the 2nd Millennium BC
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Media ID 9205017
© PHOTOSTOCK-ISRAEL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Antiquity Archaeological Archaeology Archeological Archeology Artefact Artefacts Artifact Artifacts Cones Cuneiform Dedication Hieroglyphs Mesopotamia Middle Eastern Pictogram Pictograph Pictographic Script Text Trio Writing Writing System Dedicatory Sumerian
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases three clay nails inscribed with cuneiform script, a remarkable artifact from ancient Mesopotamia. The Sumerians, who inhabited this region during the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC, invented cuneiform as the first written language. These clay nails were embedded into the walls of buildings and served as dedicatory texts. Cuneiform was primarily written on clay tablets using a reed stylus. Although it perished along with the Sumerian civilization upon Babylonia's rise in the late 3rd millennium BC, its writing system was adopted by subsequent civilizations such as Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. Dating back to the 2nd Millennium BC, these nails are not only an archaeological treasure but also a testament to humanity's early attempts at communication through writing systems. With their intricate inscriptions and historical significance, they provide valuable insights into our past. The white background of this studio shot allows for clear visibility of every detail on these delicate artifacts. This photograph is a visual feast for history enthusiasts and archaeology lovers alike. It beautifully captures both the fragility and resilience of ancient relics that have survived thousands of years. With its rich symbolism and cultural importance, this image transports us back in time to an era when words were etched onto clay tablets with great care and precision—a true testament to human ingenuity in preserving knowledge across generations.
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