The Oxford Handbook of Cuneiform Culture

About this book

The cuneiform script the writing system of ancient Mesopotamia was witness to one of the worlds oldest literate cultures. For over three millennia it was the vehicle of communication from (at its greatest extent) Iran to the Mediterranean Anatolia to Egypt. The Oxford Handbook of Cuneiform Culture examines the Ancient Middle East through the lens of cuneiform writing. The contributors a mix of scholars from across the disciplines explore define and to some extent look beyond the boundaries of the written word using Mesopotamias clay tablets and stone inscriptions not just as texts but also as material artefacts that offer much additional information about their creators readers users and owners.