Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-09-10

cuneifOrm Document of Babylon.

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety, Washington D. CO
The loss of pen today is not of
much consequence; but if one of our
pens could be found in perfect con-
dition 1000 years from now it might
tell the scholars of that future day
many interesting things about our civ
ilization. Archeologists dug up a few
weeks ago on the site of ancient Kish,
near Babylon, the oldest known pen
in the world, and it has helped to
piece out a fascinating picture of life
in that region where man probably
first built cities and lived an ordered,
law-guided existence.
One has a tendency to look upon
this old civilization as little known to
the modern world. But thanks to
pens" such as the bone stylus recent
ly unearthed in Mesopotamia and the
unfading and ineradicable marks
which they made on soft clay, subse-
quently baked, we know more of the
history of certain eras in Babylonia
and Assyria than we do of that Of
many comparatively modern states.
One of the surprises these clay
documents afford are the striking like
nesses Of a civilization of 1000 years
ago to that of the Twentieth century.
One scholar AYERS that "a right-think-
ing citizen Of a modern city would
probably feel more at home in ancient
Babylon than in medieval Europe"
Another astounding revelation Of
these writings Is that Israel, instead
of being one of the foremost nations
of antiquity, was a small power, rela-
lively inconspicuous. Moreover, in
stead Of the patriarch, Abraham, be-
longing to the beginning of time, hui
manly considered, it is now found that
he occupies a middle chapter in the
history of mankind.
Tablets Reliable Records.
In one respect the historian of these
early times has an advantage over
his colleague who seeks details in
documents written on paper. The
baked and sun-dried tablets of the
Babylonians may be hard to decipher
but, when read, they are original
sources" reliable, and not altered or
revised by subsequent generations.
The well-kneaded clay, which had
been washed to free it from grit and
sand, while in a plastic condition was
shaped into the form and size desired.
AS the style of paper used at the
present time is frequently an indica-
ton of the character of the writing,
the same is true, in a general way, of
an ancient Babylonian clay tablet or
cylinder. In most instances the
trained Assyriologist at a glance can
determine the character, in general
way, of an inscription by its shape
or appearance.
The stylus with which these re-
markable cuneiform records were
made is seen at it's best in the recent
discovery at Kish. That implement
is a little rod of bone about six
inches long, triangular in cross-sec-
ton, cut off sharply at one end so
that when this end was pressed into
damp clay 1t left wedge-shaped Inn
pressions.
The civilization that these little
three-cornered jabs picture for us Is
astounding. Life was about as thor
oughly organized and carefully regu-
lated as our own. Even the Ills OF
present day civilization existed in
Babylon. Raids on gay road-house
parties were common. Wine selling
was regulated and the enforcement
was put squarely up to the vender.
A maid might sue for breach OF
promise, landholder had to pay a
heavier tax If he did not cultivate his
allotment, guardians were provided
for estates of widows and orphans.
Formal contracts and deeds had to
be attested by notary, and in swear
ing the person taking the oath raised
his right hand An official copy of the
transaction, on a clay tablet, with the
notary's attestation was deposited In
the temple, the court house Of those
days.
Interest Rates Were High.
There was an excellent reason FOR
having ones rent promptly In BABY