What is the oldest item in your collection?
Cuneiform tablets dating from around 2000 BC. Cuneiform was one of the earliest systems of writing. Our cuneiforms are clay tablets from the ancient Mesopotamian area, including the ancient cities of Jokha, Warka, Drehem, Babylon, Ur, and Nippur. Most are small, and are primarily temple records, messenger tablets, butchers’ bills, business memoranda and contracts, and prayer cones. This collection is made digitally available thanks to the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative.
To view these cuneiform tablets through the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, please follow these search tips:
Open the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative webpage (seen here).
On the lefthand side of the page, there is a “Quick Search” box. At the bottom of this box, click on “Full Search.” You will be led to this webpage.
Here you will find various search fields. On the lefthand column, find the “Collection information” heading. Type “Davidson College Library” in “Collection” search field. Click “Search” and the results should load. Example below:
If you would like to view or know more about our collection of cuneiforms, please email archives@davidson.edu.