Emily Chan
The cuneiform is still being studied by linguists. The first lines of the tablet describe the purchase of a large quantity of wooden tables, chairs, and stools.
Additionally, there was information about the buyers and sellers of the items. Further study of the tablet could help provide insight into the economic processes of the city during the Late Bronze Age.
The area in which the tablet was found contains ruins that date as far back as 4,000 years ago. It was first excavated in the 1930s by a British archaeologist named Leonard Wooley.
At the time, Alalakh was located along a trade route. So not only did the city have the important status of being the capital, but it was also a center of commerce.
Other similar discoveries have been made in the region. For example, another cuneiform tablet detailing the purchase of an entire city was uncovered in 2023.
