Reproductions of an Ancient Babylonian Glaze

Extract

To all who are interested in archaeology the discovery of an ancient writing or of a hitherto undiscovered ancient material must, in itself, be an event of major interest. The study of the writing, coupled with the pleasurable anticipation, not unmixed with hope, that it will present something new in the history of mankind is, however, an adventure to be enjoyed by only the select few who are learned in these matters. Similarly, the study of a previously unknown type of material, with all the conjectures regarding its nature and use, and the way it was made, can bring its full meed of pleasure only to those who combine specialist knowledge of such materials with a general interest in the history of their development and use.

To one with strong historical interests, albeit unversed in ancient writings, and with little opportunity to study ancient materials even from their descriptions, the opportunity to assist in the verification of an ancient writing or in the identification of an ancient material must have a strong appeal, and the writer regards himself as having been unusually fortunate in having had an opportunity to make glazed earthenware articles successfully by following out instructions written some thirty-six centuries earlier.