099 Burnt Cuneiform Tablet from Nineveh

Museum Description: Burnt Cuneiform Tablet

Room: 55/Case: 8/Number: ME K 5967

Scripture: Nahum 1:10

With this cuneiform tablet we can see evidence that Nineveh was destroyed by fire.  The fire was evidently so intense and so hot it caused this clay to bubble as if it were glass.  It must have been a terrifying end to a terrifying city.

Jonah famously preached Jehovah's message of destruction to the Assyrians in Nineveh, but much to his surprise and annoyance they repented!  Unfortunately, their repentant attitude did not last, and Jehovah again prophesied that they would be destroyed.  This time he was specific about how it would happen - by fire.  After centuries of being buried and virtually forgotten, Nineveh started to be excavated at the beginning of the 19th century.  What did they find?  This mighty city had indeed been destroyed by fire, and virtually wiped off the map.  Other similar or related artefacts are on display in The British Museum.