Learning About Papyrology : Ancient Writing Materials : Wax Tablets

Wax tablets are unique among ancient writing materials because they can be easily erased and reused. They were formed by depositing a thin layer of wax onto a flat piece of wood, usually with raised edges. The raised edges allowed several tablets to be bound together and closed without damaging the writing on the wax surface.

Birth Certificate on a Wax Tablet
Latin and Greek (128 AD)
P.Mich.Inv 766
full image: front

Although commonly used by schoolboys in Greece, wax tablets were also used for official documents, such as the birth certificate above.

You can view all wax tablets in our collection via APIS by clicking here.

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