2026-05-10 12:51 UTC
This paperweight, made of Haematite carved in the shape of a grasshopper, looks pretty modern. But it was hand-carved between 1800-1700 BC, in ancient Babylonia (in modern-day Iraq 🇮🇶).
It served as a functional weight and also showcases the artistic skill of Babylonian artisans.
British Museum
#archaeohistories
Replies (1)
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@electropict@mastodon.scot 2026-05-10 13:26
@archaeohistories@ohai.social Curious that a culture known primarily for its use of clay tablets for writing, and not at all for its use of paper, would have a use for a paperweight. There may be a gap in my knowledge, or something.