AI deciphers hymn on 4,000-year-old clay tablet to unlock mystery of ancient city of Babylon
Advances in technology made the discovery possible in a fraction of the time, according to a new
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Babylonian texts were composed in cuneiform, the oldest form of writing, on clay tablets
Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez
5
Researchers believe children would have studied the hymn, which is comprised of 250 lines of text, at school
Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez
5
Roughly 100 lines of the hymn's ending are still missing or mutilated, according to the study
Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez
Without AI, it would have taken decades to decode.
The text, inscribed on an ancient tablet, is from Babylon, Mesopotamia - once the largest city in the world in 2000 BCE.
Babylonian texts were composed in cuneiform, the oldest form of writing, on clay tablets.
But they have only survived in fragments, meaning their messages are hard to decipher.
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After digitising a selection of ancient texts, researchers at the University of Baghdad and Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, uncovered an ancient hymn they believe Babylon residents would have sung.
"Using our AI-supported platform, we managed to identify 30 other manuscripts that belong to the rediscovered hymn—a process that would formerly have taken decades," said Enrique Jiménez, professor of Ancient Near Eastern Literatures at LMU's Institute of Assyriology.
Although parts of these texts were missing, scholars were still able to completely decipher the hymn of praise.
"It's a fascinating hymn that describes Babylon in all its majesty and gives insights into the lives of its inhabitants, male and female," added Jiménez.
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Most read in Science
Exclusive
Researchers believe children would have studied the hymn, which is comprised of 250 lines of text, at school.
Numerous copies of the hymn have been found inscribed on clay tablets from the era.
"The hymn was copied by children at school. It's unusual that such a popular text in its day was unknown to us before now," said Jiménez.
"It was written by a Babylonian who wanted to praise his city.
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"The author describes the buildings in the city, but also how the waters of the Euphrates bring the spring and green the fields.
"This is all the more spectacular as surviving Mesopotamian literature is sparing in its descriptions of natural phenomena."
Excerpt from the ancient hymn
Here are some lines from the newly discovered hymn of praise:
"The Euphrates is her river - established by wise lord Nudimmud -
"It quenches the lea, saturates the canebrake,
"Disgorges its waters into lagoon and sea,
"Its fields burgeon with herbs and flowers,
"Its meadows, in brilliant bloom, sprout barley,
"From which, gathered, sheaves are stacked,
"Herds and flocks lie on verdant pastures,
"Wealth and splendour - what befit mankind -
"Are bestowed, multiplied, and regally granted."
The ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located some 85 km south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
Beyond the city and its pastures, the hymn also reveals new details about the lives of women in Babylon.
Advertisement
Women had roles as priestesses, which were described as being particularly virtuous.
They were praised in the hymn for their devotion and discretion.
Priestesses were famously celibate, and were among the professions established to to keep the population's birth rate under control.
Their "partners", mentioned in the hymn, are understood to be the gods they are devoted to.
Advertisement
The hymn also offers insights into the melding of different cultures in the early urban society.
For example, the inhabitants are described as being respectful to foreigners.
Read more on the Irish Sun
While researchers have uncovered unprecedented detail about ancient Babylon, there are more secrets to uncover.
Roughly 100 lines of the hymn's ending are still missing or mutilated, according to the study, so it is difficult to decipher what they might have contained.
Advertisement
5
Beyond the city and its pastures, the hymn also reveals new details about the lives of women in Babylon
Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez
5
The ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located some 85 km south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad
Credit: Getty
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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
AI deciphers hymn on 4,000-year-old clay tablet to unlock mystery of ancient city of Babylon
AN ANCIENT hymn lost for 4,000 years on a Babylonian tablet has finally been deciphered using artificial intelligence (AI). Advances in technology made the discovery possible in a fraction of the time, according to a new Advertisement 5 Babylonian texts were composed in cuneiform, the oldest form of writing, on clay tablets Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez 5 Researchers believe children would have studied the hymn, which is comprised of 250 lines of text, at school Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez 5 Roughly 100 lines of the hymn's ending are still missing or mutilated, according to the study Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez Without AI, it would have taken decades to decode. The text, inscribed on an ancient tablet, is from Babylon, Mesopotamia - once the largest city in the world in 2000 BCE. Babylonian texts were composed in cuneiform, the oldest form of writing, on clay tablets. But they have only survived in fragments, meaning their messages are hard to decipher. Advertisement After digitising a selection of ancient texts, researchers at the University of Baghdad and Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, uncovered an ancient hymn they believe Babylon residents would have sung. "Using our AI-supported platform, we managed to identify 30 other manuscripts that belong to the rediscovered hymn—a process that would formerly have taken decades," said Enrique Jiménez, professor of Ancient Near Eastern Literatures at LMU's Institute of Assyriology. Although parts of these texts were missing, scholars were still able to completely decipher the hymn of praise. "It's a fascinating hymn that describes Babylon in all its majesty and gives insights into the lives of its inhabitants, male and female," added Jiménez. Advertisement Most read in Science Exclusive Researchers believe children would have studied the hymn, which is comprised of 250 lines of text, at school. Numerous copies of the hymn have been found inscribed on clay tablets from the era. "The hymn was copied by children at school. It's unusual that such a popular text in its day was unknown to us before now," said Jiménez. "It was written by a Babylonian who wanted to praise his city. Advertisement "The author describes the buildings in the city, but also how the waters of the Euphrates bring the spring and green the fields. "This is all the more spectacular as surviving Mesopotamian literature is sparing in its descriptions of natural phenomena." Excerpt from the ancient hymn Here are some lines from the newly discovered hymn of praise: "The Euphrates is her river - established by wise lord Nudimmud - "It quenches the lea, saturates the canebrake, "Disgorges its waters into lagoon and sea, "Its fields burgeon with herbs and flowers, "Its meadows, in brilliant bloom, sprout barley, "From which, gathered, sheaves are stacked, "Herds and flocks lie on verdant pastures, "Wealth and splendour - what befit mankind - "Are bestowed, multiplied, and regally granted." The ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located some 85 km south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Beyond the city and its pastures, the hymn also reveals new details about the lives of women in Babylon. Advertisement Women had roles as priestesses, which were described as being particularly virtuous. They were praised in the hymn for their devotion and discretion. Priestesses were famously celibate, and were among the professions established to to keep the population's birth rate under control. Their "partners", mentioned in the hymn, are understood to be the gods they are devoted to. Advertisement The hymn also offers insights into the melding of different cultures in the early urban society. For example, the inhabitants are described as being respectful to foreigners. Read more on the Irish Sun While researchers have uncovered unprecedented detail about ancient Babylon, there are more secrets to uncover. Roughly 100 lines of the hymn's ending are still missing or mutilated, according to the study, so it is difficult to decipher what they might have contained. Advertisement 5 Beyond the city and its pastures, the hymn also reveals new details about the lives of women in Babylon Credit: Anmar A. Fadhil and Enrique Jiménez 5 The ruins of the ancient city of Babylon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located some 85 km south of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Lost 2,400-year-old city uncovered by archaeologists with multi-storey buildings and temple dedicated to cobra goddess
A ONCE bustling city with multi-storey tower houses and a cobra goddess temple built 2,400 years ago has been discovered by archaeologists. The densely built city dates back to the 4th century BCE - and even used to have a thriving local economy and religious traditions, researchers said. Advertisement 5 Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient lost city Credit: University of Manchester 5 The city of Imet existed around 2,400 years ago Credit: Dr Nicky Nielsen et al 5 Scientists found artefacts to prove the groundbreaking city was a bustling hub Credit: University of Manchester Buried under modern day Tell el-Fara'in, Egypt, state-of-the-art technology has been used to uncover the ancient city of Imet. Boffins from the University of Manchester and the University of Sadat City in Cairo made the A team of The team said: "The University of Manchester is bringing the ancient Delta back Advertisement They said locating the The incredible city dates back to the Late Period in Egypt - the final era of Egyptian rule which was killed off by Alexander the Great's conquest. Archaeologists used remote sensing including high-resolution satellite imagery. They first Advertisement Most read in The US Sun These included multi-storey buildings with "exceptionally thick foundation walls". The team dubbed these "tower houses". Mystery as body of footless Roman with KNIFE in back found at ancient fort The 4th-century Egyptians are understood to have built them to accommodate their soaring population. Imet, as well as the Delta region, became an urban center, the scientists said following their breakthrough finding. Advertisement Leading researcher Dr Nielsen said: "These tower houses are mainly found in the Nile Delta between the Late Period and the Roman era, and are rare elsewhere in Egypt . "Their presence here shows that Imet was a thriving and densely built city with a complex urban infrastructure." In another shocking revelation, the scientists also discovered a large building dating to the mid-Ptolemaic Period - even older than the Late Period. This fascinating find meant that the city may have had even more ancient roots. Advertisement The building, which is understood to be older than the rest of the city, had a limestone plaster floor and massive pilars. It was also built across a processional road that connected it to a temple dedicated to the city's patron deity, Wadjet, the cobra goddess. But it was abandoned around the mid-Ptolemaic era, sparking theories that religious beliefs may have changed at the time, the experts said. Archaeologists also uncovered a grain-processing area and animal pens - proof that Imet had a developed local economy and religious traditions. Advertisement And they found artefacts which supported the idea that the Delta centre was once a thriving Ancient Egyptian community. Read more on the Irish Sun Their most prized discoveries included a green faience ushabti from the 26 th Dynasty, a stela of the god Harpocrates with protective iconography, and a bronze sistrum adorned with the twin heads of Hathor, goddess of music and joy. These finds have helped experts piece together one of Ancient Egypt's long-lost cities - shining new light on the empire's final days. 5 The scientists said the discovery will help them unearth more about the empire's final days Credit: University of Manchester Advertisement 5 They found a range of stunning artefacts Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Could household cleaning products end up dirtying indoor air?
Analysis: When we clean, the goal is to remove dirt and germs, but in the process, we often introduce harmful chemicals into the air Household cleaning products are among the most widely used consumer goods, found in nearly every home. Their use, along with disinfectants, saw a marked rise during the pandemic. As early as 3000 BCE, ancient Egyptians used soda as a detergent, and Romans employed urine (which contains ammonia) for textile cleaning. While using chemicals for cleaning is not new, today's widespread use of these products, containing of a wide range of synthetic compounds has introduced new risks. Regulations like the 2008 Classification, Labelling, and Packaging regulation in the EU have aimed to improve safety. However, more awareness and action are needed to protect public health. When we clean, the goal is to remove dirt and germs. But in the process, we often introduce harmful chemicals into the air. Cleaning products, including disinfectants, frequently contain surfactants, acids, bases, and synthetic fragrances. Historically, some formulations included concerning substances like chloroform and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and cyclosiloxanes, though EU regulations have significantly restricted these substances in consumer products to concentrations below 0.1%. Awareness however is warranted since there may be risks associated with cumulative accumulation of some of these chemical. When applied to surfaces, these products gradually emit volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs, SVOCs). These emissions can also trigger the formation of fine particulate matter by reacting with other chemicals in indoor air. The result is a mix of pollutants that lingers in the air, long after cleaning is done. For example, spraying cleaning products can release fine particles and gases directly into the air. While larger particles settle quickly on to surfaces, contributing to emissions from surfaces, the smaller particles remain suspended and can be inhaled. Regular use of spray based cleaning products is considered a greater risk than other types of cleaning products, leading to higher frequency of respiratory symptoms. Even "green" or "natural" products, often marketed as safer alternatives, can emit harmful chemicals. Essential-oil-based cleaners, for instance, contain terpenes, like limonene. Limonene is a common fragrance ingredient and one of the most abundant indoor pollutants. We associate it with that fresh lime or lemon smell. Limonene use must comply with allergen labelling requirements in the EU. Limonene reacts with ozone in the air to form formaldehyde and other secondary pollutants. The concentrations of the pollutants thus reached may reduce at a very slow pace, depending on the ventilation in homes. These reactions can also lead to the creation of particulate matter and photochemical smog indoors, further degrading air quality. Studies have found that cleaning in the afternoon, when outdoor ozone levels are higher, can worsen this effect, with pollutant concentrations remaining elevated for hours. The health implications of exposure to cleaning products are well-documented. Professional cleaners endure a lot higher exposure due to their occupation. This has been linked to increased risks of asthma, rhinitis, and respiratory symptoms. At home, even though the exposure is lesser, regular use of cleaning products have been associated with asthma onset and asthma-like symptoms. Skin contact with cleaning agents can cause irritation, especially when protective clothing is not used. For home scenarios, a 90-minute cleaning session, once a week, may not raise a concern about chronic exposure. During the cleaning, there can be risks related to acute exposures, even to some trace elements in the products or due to secondary formation of chemicals. The first symptoms are often irritation of the respiratory tract (nose and throat) and eyes. From RTÉ Radio 1's The Ray D'Arcy Show, Laura de Barra's guide to deep cleaning your kitchen Children are particularly vulnerable. Exposure to cleaning products has been known to affect lung function, cause airway obstruction, and trigger inflammation in children. Spray cleaners, in particular, can be especially harmful due to their ability to disperse fine particles and chemicals in a form that can be breathed deep into the respiratory system. While "green" cleaning products are often marketed as safer, research shows that they are not always free from harmful emissions. However, fragrance-free products tend to emit fewer VOCs compared to conventional cleaning products. Improving indoor air quality requires not only better product formulations but also increased public awareness. Clear labeling, education on safe cleaning practices, and stricter regulations on hazardous substances can all help. By making informed choices and adopting safer cleaning habits, we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and create healthier indoor environments for ourselves and our families. Here are some specific, practical steps to follow: Read Labels: Look for products with clear ingredient lists and avoid those containing essential oils, phthalates and formaldehyde. Choose: Prefer fragrance-free or low-VOC cleaning products and not just "natural" products. At home, you can also choose ready-to-use products instead of ones that need to be diluted before every use. Avoid Sprays: Use liquid or wipe-based cleaners instead of sprays to minimise inhalation risks. Protection: Wear gloves while cleaning and use appropriate respiratory protection. The latter is especially important for professionals. Ventilate: Open windows and/or doors, use exhaust fans during and after cleaning to dilute the indoor pollutants. Timing Matters: Where possible, clean when the space is not occupied and finish several hours beforehand to allow the pollutants to dissipate. For schools and offices, this could mean cleaning after hours. At home, clean in the morning when outdoor ozone levels are lower to reduce the formation of secondary pollutants.
