14 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Neo-Assyrian Writing Boards: The Role of Beeswax, Orpiment, and Carbon Black in 7th Century BC Writing Techniques

Recent scientific investigations into the writing boards excavated from the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud have shed new light on the materials and techniques used in early cuneiform writing. These boards, dating back to the 7th century BC, represent the earliest known evidence of cuneiform writing on wax, with their yellowish writing paste identified as a mixture of beeswax and orpiment.

The Nimrud writing boards were discovered during excavations in the 1950s, a significant archaeological find that provided insight into the administrative and scholarly practices of the Assyrian Empire. These boards were preserved when they were accidentally thrown down a well during the city’s sack in 612 BC, allowing for their survival in a region where wooden artifacts are rarely found due to environmental conditions. The boards, made from walnut wood, were found alongside 16 ivory examples, which were much larger than previously known writing boards, providing a rare glimpse into the writing practices of ancient Iraq.

Initial analyses conducted at the time by Dr. H. J. Plenderleith revealed that the wax layer contained beeswax mixed with approximately 25% orpiment (arsenic sulfide). However, the methodologies used in these early investigations were not thoroughly documented, leaving many questions about the composition and preservation of the writing paste.

A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science and conducted at the British Museum has employed advanced analytical techniques, including Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QToF-MS), to re-examine the chemical composition of the writing paste. The results confirmed that the yellow paste was primarily composed of beeswax mixed with orpiment, with no organic additives detected. This finding aligns with earlier observations but refines our understanding of the materials used, suggesting that only pigments were likely added to enhance the writing surface.

Additionally, the study revealed traces of carbon black, indicating that the practice of adding soot or ashes to beeswax for writing boards may have originated much earlier than previously thought. This discovery suggests that the techniques used in the Middle East could have influenced later Greek and Roman practices, where similar methods were employed to create writing surfaces.

Fragment of a Neo-Assyrian tablet preserving wax, in the British Museum. Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum
Fragment of a Neo-Assyrian tablet preserving wax, in the British Museum. Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum

The identification of walnut wood further indicates the use of locally sourced materials in the production of these writing boards, highlighting the resourcefulness of ancient scribes. As walnut is native to Southwest Asia, its presence reinforces the idea that these writing boards were crafted using materials readily available in the region.

This research not only enhances our understanding of the technological aspects of ancient writing but also contributes to the broader context of Mesopotamian antiquities. The findings will inform future displays at the British Museum and provide a foundation for comparative studies with writing boards from other ancient cultures, including those in Anatolia, the Levant, and Egypt.

Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of using modern analytical techniques to revisit historical artifacts, allowing researchers to uncover new insights and refine existing knowledge. As the study of these artifacts continues, it opens new avenues for exploring the cultural and historical significance of writing practices in the ancient world, ultimately enriching our understanding of human communication and record-keeping throughout history.

In conclusion, the scientific revisitation of the Nimrud writing boards not only leads to new insights into the materiality of these artifacts but also opens new opportunities for research exploring comparisons with writing boards from various ancient cultures. This ongoing investigation allows us to better contextualize these Mesopotamian antiquities and build innovative narratives for their future display, ensuring that the legacy of ancient writing practices continues to be appreciated and understood.

Diego Tamburini, Joanne Dyer, at al., Material characterisation of the Neo-Assyrian writing boards from Nimrud. Journal of Archaeological Science, Volume 178, June 2025, 106218. doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2025.106218

Cover Image Credit: Five fragments of a wooden writing board from Nimrud (9th-7th centuries BC), in the British Museum. Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum

Related Articles

Ötzi the Iceman Had Dark Skin, Bald Head and Anatolian Ancestry -New study rewrites ancient history

17 August 2023

17 August 2023

New DNA analysis by German researchers shows that the famous glacier mummy Ötzi may have had dark skin, dark eyes,...

“Urartian Royal garbage dump” was found during excavations at Ayanis Castle

3 September 2022

3 September 2022

During the excavations carried out in the Ayanis Castle, which was built by the Urartian King Rusa II on the...

Excavations of Aççana Mound, the Capital of the Mukish Kingdom, Continue

16 July 2021

16 July 2021

2021 excavations have started at Aççana Höyük, the old city of Alalah, in Hatay’s Reyhanlı district. The ancient city of...

6,000-Year-Old Temple with Blood Channel and Altar Unearthed in Eastern Türkiye

15 July 2025

15 July 2025

Archaeologists have discovered a 6,000-year-old temple site during ongoing excavations in the village of Tadım, located in Elazığ Province, eastern...

Egyptian archaeologists discovered 16 meters long ancient papyrus with spells from the Book of the Dead

19 January 2023

19 January 2023

Archaeologists working in Egypt’s Saqqara region have unearthed a 16-meter-long ancient papyrus for the first time in a century. Saqqara...

Rare Avar-Era Saber Unearthed Near Székesfehérvár, Hungary

13 September 2025

13 September 2025

Archaeologists in Hungary have made a remarkable discovery: a rare Avar-period saber has been unearthed near the city of Székesfehérvár....

7,600-year-old child skeleton and a silver ring found in Türkiye’s Domuztepe Mound

12 September 2024

12 September 2024

A child skeleton and a silver ring presumed to be used for babies dating back to 7,600 years ago were...

Metal signature of Roman 19th Legion identified at Teutoburg battle site that shook Rome in AD9

5 December 2022

5 December 2022

Researchers in Germany have identified the metallurgic signature of the Roman 19th Legion in artifacts recovered from the Battle of...

A 7,500-year-old settlement has been discovered in Turkey’s Domuztepe Mound

11 September 2021

11 September 2021

During the most recent excavations at Domuztepe Mound in the Türkoğlu district of southern Turkey’s Kahramanmaraş province, a settlement and...

Viking Dentistry Was Surprisingly Advanced And Not Unlike Today’s Treatments

15 December 2023

15 December 2023

Viking Age teeth at Varnhem indicate surprisingly advanced dentistry, according to the results of a study conducted at the University...

Archaeologists conducting excavations at the Roman Fort of Apsaros in Georgia, found evidence of the Legion X Fretensis

27 May 2023

27 May 2023

Polish scientists discovered that Legion X Fretensis, known for its brutal suppression of Jewish uprisings, was stationed in the early...

Gladiators were mostly Vegetarians and they were fatter than you may think

6 August 2023

6 August 2023

What better epitomizes the ideal male physique than the Roman gladiator? Gladiators were the movie stars of the first century,...

3,500-Year-Old Human-Bodied, Eagle-Headed Seal Discovered in Central Türkiye

9 September 2025

9 September 2025

Archaeological excavations at Karahöyük in central Türkiye have led to a remarkable discovery: a 3,500-year-old human-headed, eagle-bodied seal. According to...

Archeologists Discover Two Sphinxes measure 26 feet in length in Egyptian Ruins

21 January 2022

21 January 2022

Archeologists have discovered the remains of two huge sphinx statues, each measuring 26 feet in length, at the funerary temple...

Two Durham Archaeology Students, One from Türkiye, Earn Prestigious Awards for Research on Ancient Lycia

26 July 2025

26 July 2025

In a remarkable achievement for Anatolian studies, two Durham University-affiliated archaeology students have received prestigious awards for their research on...