Cuneiform Tablets

In History, we learned about the Sumerians. They emerged in the "Fertile Crescent" about 2300 B.C. We learned that they were best known for a written language called "cuneiform".  In Latin, the word cuneus means "wedge". The shape of the wedge best describes the 600 symbols the Sumerians invented to represent sounds. Imagine writing a letter to someone and making a mistake! Remember they wrote on clay tablets!

For their project, the kids had to make their own cuneiform tablets. I gave them a print out of the alphabet and also some symbols that represented something. They used the sheets and made their own tablets. Then had them read them to me. They did a great job!

If you would like to make your own cuneiform tablet, it's really easy! You will need the following material:

• Clay
• Knife, craft stick or toothpick.  This helps with writing the symbols.
• Drinking glass or rolling pin. This helps make the clay nice and flat.

All you have to do is flatten the clay so that it's nice and smooth.  You want to make it a long rectangle shape. Then use a knife, craft stick or toothpick to write the symbols.  Leave it our to dry and there you have it! Your very own cuneiform tablet!