The Disintegrating Remains of An Ancient Sumerian Tablet

More than 4,000 years ago the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers gave birth to great civilizations--first the Sumerian, then the Babylonian, Assyrian, Chaldean, and Persian empires. Here too, excavations have unearthed evidence of great skill and artistry.

From Sumeria have come examples of fine works in marble, diorite, hammered gold, and lapis lazuli. Here is a recently discovered Sumerian writing tablet, crudely carved from marble:


Scholars say that this Sumerian writing tablet is the first application of written language towards early engineering– the tablet contains never-before-seen etchings of plans to build a hollowed-out wooden boat. Historians are quick to note that this writing predates the earliest blueprints in ancient China.


No, wait a minute. That's actually Andrew's old-ass wallet that's held together with electrical tape and luck.


Whoops.