Numerous media outlets reported in early 2016 that a set of ancient clay tablets unveiled that Babylonian astronomers were more sophisticated than ever. Cuneiform writing on the tablets demonstrated that these ancient astronomers used geometric calculations to predict Jupiter's motion.

Scholars had assumed that these techniques were not used until nearly A.D. 1400 by English and French mathematicians. But, the recent discovery proved that ancient people were just as advanced as Renaissance-era scholars nearly 2,000 years ago.

This discovery piqued the public's interest. It implicitly challenged the popular belief that cuneiform tablets were only used for basic accounting, such as grain tallying, rather than complex astronomical calculations. While most tablets were used for mundane bookkeeping or scribal exercises, some contain inscriptions that provide unexpected insights into the minute details and momentous events in the lives of ancient Mesopotamians. Does this imply these tables are the oldest form of writings in existence? Let’s find out in today’s video.