21 October 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.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



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

Ancient scrolls reveal astonishing information about the life of a Nabatean woman, who lived in the first century AD in Petra

18 December 2023

18 December 2023

Petra was the capital of a powerful trading empire two thousand years ago. It was established by the Nabateans, a...

Rare Langsax fighting blade with Viking origins discovered in Poland

20 August 2021

20 August 2021

Archaeologists working in the Wdecki Landscape Park in Poland’s Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship have discovered a rare langsax long knife with potential...

Bronze Age Ceremonial Sword Found in Håre in Vestfyn will be on Display Soon

13 March 2021

13 March 2021

Archaeologists excavating the village of Håre on the island of Funen in Denmark have discovered an ornate Bronze Age sword...

2,000-Year-Old Wooden Roman Bridge Discovered in Aegerten, Bern, Switzerland

3 September 2025

3 September 2025

Archaeologists in Switzerland have uncovered the remains of a 2,000-year-old wooden Roman bridge during construction work in Aegerten, a municipality...

Unique ancient Egyptian amulet seal discovered during archeological excavations in northern Turkey

11 November 2022

11 November 2022

During archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Amastris in the Amasra district of northern Turkey’s Bartın, an enchanted amulet...

Nineteen Ancient Tombs from the 4th Century BC Unearthed in Padula, Campania

8 February 2025

8 February 2025

In Padula, located in the Campania region of southern Italy, authorities announced the remarkable discovery of nineteen ancient tombs during...

An opulent 2,000-year-old ‘city hall’ has been discovered near the Western Wall in Israel

8 July 2021

8 July 2021

An important 2,000-year-old public building has been unearthed near the wailing wall in Israel. Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority...

Early Iron Age cremation burial containing bronze jewelry and rare textile fragments found in Austria

9 July 2023

9 July 2023

Archeologists from the Vienna Natural History Museum (NHM), a cremation burial containing bronze jewelry and rare surviving textile fragments have...

Earliest evidence for intestinal parasites in the UK came from Stonehenge

20 May 2022

20 May 2022

Researchers think they have discovered the earliest evidence for intestinal parasites in the UK. Ancient poop found at the site...

1,800-Year-Old Roman Watchtower Discovered in Croatia

3 August 2025

3 August 2025

Archaeologists in Croatia have uncovered the remains of a 1,800-year-old Roman watchtower that once stood guard along the empire’s northern...

Traces of fossilized crabs in the Zagros Mountains, Iran which may hint at a hotbed of biodiversity dating from 15 million years

18 April 2022

18 April 2022

A group of paleontologists from the  University of Tehran has discovered traces of fossilized crabs in the Iranian which may...

Artificial Intelligence Project That Will Revolutionize Archaeology

5 April 2021

5 April 2021

Polish Scientists to opening a new era in archeology They plan to use artificial intelligence to detect prehistoric cemeteries, castles,...

New documentary searches history of Turkey’s 7,000-year-old Arslantepe Mound

28 December 2021

28 December 2021

The tale of Turkey’s fascinating 7,000-year-old Arslantepe Mound, an ancient building in Malatya, eastern Turkey that was just added to...

Doune Pistols: The Spark That Ignited a Revolution Returns Home

5 May 2025

5 May 2025

A remarkable piece of Scottish history has returned to its roots as a collection of ten exquisite 18th-century pistols, crafted...

Iconic 2,500-Year-Old Coțofenești Helmet and Dacian Treasures Stolen from Dutch Museum

26 January 2025

26 January 2025

A heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, has resulted in the theft of several invaluable artifacts from the...