Product description
ChatGPT said:
The cera (Latin for tabula cerata – wax tablet) was a small writing board made from a hard material such as boxwood, beechwood, or even bone. In the center of the board was a hollowed-out surface filled with a layer of dark wax.
Writing was done on this wax layer using a stylus – a pointed tool made of metal, wood, or bone (Greek: stŷlos, Latin: stylus). With this instrument, one would scratch characters into the wax. If necessary, the marks could easily be wiped away or smoothed out, making the tablet reusable. These wax tablets were used for daily notes, reminders of tasks, debts, obligations, and as draft versions of texts that would later be copied onto papyrus or parchment.
Sealed wax tablets were also used for official purposes, such as drawing up wills, conveying secret orders, statements, receipts, and even reports. The oldest known archaeological example of a wax tablet dates back to the 7th century BC, found in Etruria (Italy). In Europe, the use of wax tablets remained common until the mid-19th century.
Writing
Use the pointed end of the stylus to carve letters into the wax with light, downward strokes.
Erasing
The flat end of the stylus is used to smooth out the wax again. Hold the stylus flat, place your index finger on the flattened part, and move it across the wax in a pulling motion (not pushing). This allows the tablet to be reused again and again.
The two tablets are each 12 cm wide and made of wood, connected to each other with leather cords.
The stylus is included.
