169 The Latest Dated Cuneiform Tablet

Museum Description: The Latest Dated Cuneiform Tablet

Room: 52/Case: 6/Number: 40084

Scripture: Amos 5:8

This text refers to rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.  It was known as the Bringer of the Nile, as the Egyptians noticed that the flooding of the Nile always followed its appearance.  It also mentions the position of planets in zodiac signs, showing how easily astronomy turned into astrology.  Dating from as late as 61 C.E., it illustrates how long the cuneiform writing system was in use.

The signs of the zodiac are generally thought to originate with the Babylonians, although it was not until the time of the Greeks that the sky was formally divided into 12 equal part each represented by one of the signs.  In fact, the word 'zodiac' is Greek and means "circle of animals".  It is amazing to think this ancient false worship is still so widespread today!  Other similar or related artefacts are on display in The British Museum.