Cuneiform Tablet from Old Assyrian Trading Colony, ca. 20th–19th century B.C., The Metropolian Museum of Art, New York. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/325851

Although simple and unassuming, cuneiform tablets, originating from the rich society of Mesopotamia, are the earliest known examples of writing. The earliest tablets were used for accounting and record-keeping, but as the society progressed cuneiform tablets contained literary texts and prayers to deities, as well as treaties and legal documents. How special is it, that some archaeologist carefully excavated these precious works and some academic holed away in an office in Iraq took the time to translate and interpret them. What a gift for the world, that researchers have worked so we can read the thoughts and desires of ancient people. Unfortunately, cuneiform tablets were written by scribes so it would’ve been a bit awkward to write a love letter or anything hugely personal (Van De Mieroop 94). Nevertheless, a huge amount of information about a meticulously organised society has been gleaned.

 

Cuneiform tablets are just one example of the importance of research. Another example is the research of Dr Erin Griffey and Victoria Munn, which charted ideals of womanhood during the Renaissance through the analysis of instructional beauty books at the time. At a time when women had very little agency, and we have virtually zero examples of works done by women, Griffey and Munn give us an insight into women’s lives through their visual culture. For some reason it charms me very much to think that as I am doing my seven-step Korean skincare routine, somewhere in the throes of space and time a woman living during the Renaissance is doing her skincare routine, too.

 

It’s strange to think of people from the past being just like us, but that is the exact reason why we need to research them. To gain a compassion and understanding for people lost to history who are now voiceless.

 

Works Cited

Van De Mieroop, Marc. Cuneiform Texts and the Writing of History. New York: Routledge, 2005.