From left to right: Amphora, white ware painted in black and red, X-V
centuries B. C.; jug, red slip ware, XX-XV centuries B. C.; amphora, white
ware painted in black and red, X-V centuries B. C.; jug, base ring ware,
XV-XII centuries B. C.; oinochoe, white ware painted in black and brown,
X-V centuries B. C. The earliest of the fabrics illustrated, i.e., the
red slip ware, though usually not polished, is made evidently in imitation
of the still earlier red polished ware. Base-ring ware is so called from
the distinct standing base found on most specimens. With the white
painted ware of the Early Iron Age, we come to a wheel-made pottery,
usually having painted geometrical decoration.
[Babylonian Tablet From Jokha, ca. 2350 B. C.]
Babylonian Tablet From Jokha, ca. 2350 B. C.
This is one of a small collection of Babylonian tablets. It was made
during the reign of Dungi, King of Ur. The inscription records an
offering to the temple. The tablet is sealed to prevent the alteration of
the record by the priests or attendants; the seal impression bears the
figure of Sin, the Moon God, who was the deity of Ur of the Chaldees, and
before the deity stand two priests in the act of worship. These inscribed
clay tablets were used by the ancient Babylonians in place of papyrus or
parchment.