Back to School in Babylonia

This book explores education in the Old Babylonian period through the lens of House F in Nippur, excavated by the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania in the 1950s. It offers a state-of-the-art synthesis of research on the history of House F and the educational curriculum documented on tablets, and presents 126 objects included in the exhibition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures

This comprehensive volume, serving as a companion to the special exhibition "Back to School in Babylonia" at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures of the University of Chicago, delves into the realm of education during the Old Babylonian period through the lens of House F in Nippur, an archaeological site excavated jointly by the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania in the early 1950s. Widely regarded as a scribal school, House F holds immense significance in understanding the educational practices of that era. The book comprises twenty insightful essays that provide a cutting-edge synthesis of research on the history of House F and the educational curriculum meticulously documented on the numerous tablets unearthed there. Additionally, the catalogs five chapters present a comprehensive overview of the 126 objects featured in the exhibition, with the majority of them being cuneiform tablets.

The excavation of House F in Nippur, conducted by the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania in the early 1950s, yielded invaluable insights into the educational practices of the Old Babylonian period. The site, widely believed to have been a scribal school, holds immense significance in understanding the historical and cultural context of that era.

The companion book to the exhibition, titled "Back to School in Babylonia," explores education in the Old Babylonian period through the lens of House F in Nippur. The book comprises twenty essays that offer a state-of-the-art synthesis of research on the history of House F and the educational curriculum documented on the numerous tablets discovered there.

The essays in the book delve into various aspects of education during the Old Babylonian period, including the social and political context, the structure of the school, the teaching methods employed, and the subjects taught. The authors employ a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on various sources such as archaeological evidence, textual records, and scholarly interpretations.

The catalogs five chapters present a comprehensive overview of the 126 objects featured in the exhibition. The majority of these objects are cuneiform tablets, which provide a rich source of information about the educational practices and curriculum of the time. The catalogs offer detailed descriptions of each object, including its significance, provenance, and historical context.

The exhibition "Back to School in Babylonia" at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures of the University of Chicago offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of the Old Babylonian period. The companion book provides a deeper understanding of education in that era, while the catalogs offer a visual glimpse into the objects that contributed to the educational practices of that time.

In conclusion, this comprehensive volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the history and culture of the Old Babylonian period. It offers a state-of-the-art synthesis of research on House F and the educational curriculum documented on the tablets discovered there, while the catalogs provide a comprehensive overview of the 126 objects featured in the exhibition. The exhibition "Back to School in Babylonia" at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures of the University of Chicago is a must-visit for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the rich history and culture of that era.

Weight: 1754g
Dimension: 213 x 267 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781614910985