Making Classical Wax Writing Tablets

[@NikoN-xw6xy]

“Like god damn if I had a Time Machine, I would slap the guy that did that on my way to k*lling baby hitler” the monotone voice made that statement so much funnier 😂.

[@fellzer]

Imagine having the skill to resaw a big ass board by hand. Well done!!!

[@richardjohnson4052]

I made one but used pure beeswax as I did not know about adding olive oil. The idea of a three sheet tablet is fascinating.

[@Zane-It]

I kinda hope we find a wax tablet in the future with the bronze age version of a super cringe inducing fanfic written by Sumerian teenagers.

[@Banjawesome]

Gilgamesh x Enkidu ship 4 life

[@Zane-It]

@@Banjawesome yes

[@anguswilson1619]

you honestly have such a great sense for living history, its always great to see

[@BrandiChase]

You are hilarious. Thank you for this instructive and wry documentation of this artifact and its manufacture.

[@capnheehee8103]

This is really interesting to watch. I was just looking for an example of something like an old Roman "tabula" to see what it looked like (I wanted to see what writing on it would actually look like), but couldn't find actual video of it until you. Too few views on this!

[@LordVortex888]

That's funny, in AC Odyssey I saw an npc using something similar to this one and got me researching/dig more info about it.

[@NicoleCB]

Me too!

[@KBCBOOK]

I like this video. I have tried to make these because I want to make them with my 7th grade students. I am glad you showed the repouring of the wax. I am not happy with my pours. I will scrape it out and try again. Mine are too big, so I will cut them down before I refill them.

[@LiaThornegge]

Nice job! I also found I had to pour the wax a couple times to get it bubble free.

[@TheKhopesh]

I'm considering making one of these for myself. Having watched failed attempt after failed attempt in this video, I think for the pouring wax into the reliefs: I'll just put some masking tape over the parts I don't want wax on to prevent leaving smudges/stains/stickiness, pour enough to fill it into the center, and use the heat gun (that I bought a few years back to do roofing repairs in the winter) to keep the wax nice and runny if it starts hardening early. Repeat for both halves, keep enough wax in there with surface tension while liquid so that when it solidifies it won't countersink too deep, then slightly heat it to make it soft and scrape the excess off with some dental floss to make the wax flush with the top of the tablet. After that, remove the masking tape.

[@ToastyTentacle]

One day we'll get that updated recipe....one day

[@justinove7521]

I can't get enough of this stuff man

[@aidan5172]

very cool as always

[@hope4ourfallen]

Can regular candle wax be substituted for the bees wax?

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

Did you find the inclusion of olive oil in the melted wax to be effective and of the proper consistency?

[@WolffLyfe]

I’m currently doing a research paper on wax tablet codices. Did you ever revisit this project and play with the wax recipe? In my reading I found lamp black mentioned as a pigment, and charcoal as pigment and an additive to soften the wax and prevent the crumbles when writing, which is a symptom of being too hard as the wax is impressed into rather than it smooshing out of the way. Ochre was also mentioned for getting sienna and red colored wax which is easier to read than black and also changes the consistency of the wax. I’ve never seen olive oil mentioned, was that a later period recipe you followed? I’ve been focusing on Antiquity era mostly. I know it’s been 2 years since you posted this and totally understand if you don’t remember details from that long ago. But thanks for making this video!

[@THEFACILITY]

I don't think my recipe came from anywhere in particular, definitely not an ancient source. Still haven't tried anything else. Ochre would be interesting to try, I can see how the flat clay mineral particles would make the wax more robust. Sorry I couldn't provide any information, and good luck with the research!

[@nikikikita.t]

I’m so glad you made this video!

[@PixelOutlaw]

I wonder if you could just dip the whole thing in then shave the excess off the frame?

[@alonsans]

Would paraffin wax work with olive oil as the bee wax does??

[@bezbezzebbyson788]

You're really underated man. Best commentary ever lmaooo

[@TEC0Y]

that reference to cuneiform tho. i just learned about that recently. you're so subtle about it makes me wonder what else im missing!

[@THEFACILITY]

It looks pretty cool, might write some in my tablets for fun

[@angelorobledo1536]

Would it be possible to put bits/crumbs of dry wax into the recess and then heat it with a low heat gun (or even a high watt hair dryer) to melt it all together? I am looking to make a large number of these soon (AP Latin class, looking to make a class set, ~30 tablets to make 15 books) and want the fastest and easiest method.

[@THEFACILITY]

Possibly, but don't count on it bring any faster. You might still get bubbles on the first attempt. I also wouldn't bother with putting any olive oil in the mix, it's not super necessary and I don't have a better ratio to recommend

[@Dragomire]

The disgruntled attitude about hating shopping because it's spending money to stay alive is hilarious. 😆

[@LordVortex888]

I have to say this is a great demonstration Looks fine to me.

[@rustyholt6619]

i have a 4 surface 4x6 a 8 surface 2x3 with a leather cover and a 2 surface 4x6

[@speggeri90]

Next historical project, Roman bathhouse?

[@MawoDuffer]

Because the wax is black I would put it in the sun on a level surface and hope it just smooths

[@dogmeatstarboy]

This is a cool ass channel, love it!

[@IanZainea1990]

6:17 hmmm. I imagine over filling it and then scraping it flush would be easiest

[@branhan215124]

I love recreations of ancient history because it's a good reminder that the person who worshipped Ishtar in ancient Babylon was just as smart and clever as we are today, we just use better tablets and styluses.

[@3nertia]

Sorry if I missed it but how does one actually erase and reuse one of these?

[@animehair05silently88]

you sort of scrape or wipe it flat with something, like the other end of your stylus if you're stylus has a flat edge on it

[@caivsivlivs]

lol dope vid and funny commentary

[@EngineersWorkshop]

9:55 Ham fisted barbarians probably didn't know how to write...