3,500-Year-Old Babylonian Tablet May Contain Earliest Known Depiction of a Ghost

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/ ^ | October 22, 2021 | Livia Gershon

[Beowulf9]

The clay tablet is part of a guide to exorcising ghosts held in the collections of the British Museum, reports Dalya Alberge for the Observer. Irving Finkel, a curator in the London museum’s Middle Eastern department and the author of the forthcoming book The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies, says the image on the tablet is only visible when viewed from above under a light. The museum acquired the artifact in the 19th century, but it has never been exhibited.

[Beowulf9]

I ain't afraid of no ghost.

[Magnum44]

Probably just farmer McNasty...

[HartleyMBaldwin]

There was also a depiction of a brightly colored chariot, four people, and a large dog.

[Dr. Franklin]

Or maybe after 3000 years or so, the pigment just wore off somehow.

[Jamestown1630]

Irving Finkel is cool.

He handled Philomena Cunk pretty well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmfdKxMyOIY

[larrytown]

I wonder what the Babylonian is for ‘Scooby-snack’...

[HartleyMBaldwin]

“Or “Ruh-roh”.

[fidelis]

Probably just farmer McNasty...

Yeah, and he would have got away with it if it wasn't for those darn meddling kids!

[Beowulf9]

It’s not a ghost because of missing pigment as in a ghost image, it’s a depiction of a man leading a ghost back to the underworld. It’s part of a guide to exorcising ghosts.

[DannyTN]

I hate 3500 year old Babylonian ghosts. You can’t understand a word they say.

[Dr. Franklin]

It’s not a ghost because of missing pigment as in a ghost image, it’s a depiction of a man leading a ghost back to the underworld. It’s part of a guide to exorcising ghosts.

Or is it a forerunner of a Klansman?

[fidelis]

I hate 3500 year old Babylonian ghosts. You can’t understand a word they say.

Yeah, it's like they're babbling or something.

[fidelis]

it’s a depiction of a man leading a ghost back to the underworld.

It looks like it's hands are tied and being led by rope. I'd like to see the rope you can tie up a ghost with.

[mjp]

The tablet warns, “Do not look behind you!” I bet that’s the oldest horror movie trope in history. Even back in ancient Mesopotamia, they knew the creepy feeling of Uncle Henry’s ghost photobombing your sunrise ritual!

[larrytown]

English to Babylonian translator

[tumblindice]

Followed by, “Did you hear something?” and, “What the ... no service!”
Born in Babylonia, raised in Arizona, King Zutt

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Beowulf9. Good timing -- Halloween's coming, plus, the UK won't be around, smashed by the same Islamofascists who will smash this tablet.

[Redcitizen]

Whatever you do, do not mis speak the words aloud.

😱

[tumblindice]

“Klaatu barada nikto”?

[Beowulf9]

Haha! WHAT words? I never saw them, thankfully!

I’m reminded of ‘The Power of Christ compels me’...

I don’t think I will go ‘there’.😆