Researchers Discover the World’s Oldest Depiction of a Ghost on an Ancient Babylonian Clay Tablet Stored in the British Museum’s Basement.
A ghost following its lover on a Babylonian clay tablet. (Photo: British Museum).
The 3,500-Year-Old Illustration depicts a man walking with his arms extended forward, his wrists bound with rope, and being led by a woman. The accompanying inscription indicates that this is a ritual for them to live happily in the afterlife.
According to reports, half of the tablet has been lost. The remaining half is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. On the other side of the tablet, there are instructions on how to deal with a ghost that clings to someone, including making a statue of a man and a woman. The clay tablet records the guidance of an exorcist on how to rid oneself of a ghost by resolving the distress that prevents them from moving on. In this case, the ghost is in desperate need of a companion.
“This is an incredibly remarkable artifact that researchers previously overlooked. Clearly, this is a male ghost, and he is suffering greatly. The analysis ultimately indicates that this ghost needs a lover,” said Irving Finkel, the curator of the Middle East section at the British Museum.
The writing system used on the tablet is ancient Middle Eastern script. Finkel discovered that the tablet had been misinterpreted in the past. The illustration had been overlooked because the ghost only appears when viewed from above and under light. The museum acquired the clay tablet in the 19th century but has never displayed the item.
