Page 7
Clay Tablets Tell Of First Civilization
A professor of ancient history said last night that the most accurate historical records of the first civilization — that of the Sumerians — are found in clay tablets.
"These clay tablets have various economic records," he said. He added that it was necessary to study several tablets to understand the whole Sumerian economic pattern.
the professor, Tom B. Jones of the University of Minnesota spoke at the final Humanities Lecture of this year.
"WE CAN OBTAIN historical data about the Sumerians from three sources including the clay tablets," he said. "We can also obtain information from pottery and other art work and from examining their wedge shaped writing."
Prof. Jones said that the clay tablets have not been exploited until recently.
"I've spent many long hours in examining these tablets and translating the data," he said. "This is strictly on my own. I have no research grants."
"TRYING TO DETERMINE the Sumerian economy with one tablet would be like trying to learn the operation of a bank with just one cancelled check," he said. "The economic pattern revealed on these tablets tell us much about the Sumerian civilization."
Prof. Jones said that the Sumerian civilization is known to have existed from 3500 B.C. until about 2500 B.C. in Mesopotamia.
"THERE IS NO DEFINITE record that reveals the dates of events on the pottery and other art work," he said. "By examining the economic records left on the tablets, it is possible to determine exact dates of various events in Sumerian history."
Prof. Jones illustrated his lecture with slides of several Sumerian tablets.
160 Attend SUA Honors Banquet
Nearly 160 students, faculty and staff members attended the annual Student Union Activities Recognition Dinner Saturday evening in the Big 8 Room of the Kansas Union. The dinner honored those who had planned or participated in SUA events throughout the year.
Frank Burge, Kansas Union director, presented engraved KU "mugs" to the 1961-62 SUA Board members. Those who received the "mugs" were Judy Anderson, Garden City; Beeky Myers, Salina; Carolyn Gist, Kansas City, Mo.; Pat Piggot, Kansas City, Mo.; Sheila Ryan, Aurora, Mo.; Stu Barger, Harrisonville, Mo.; Chuck Moffet, Kansas City, Mo.; Bob Fitzsimmons, St. Joseph, Mo., all seniors; Jim Devall, Overland Park; Ed Roberts, Bonner Springs, both Juniors; Bill Schaefer, Shawnee Mission; Breon Mitchell, Salina; and Bruce Num, Grand Island, Neb. all sophomores.
Peppermint Club
TALENT CONTEST
Tonganoxie, 15-min. drive
No Stags; 75c per person
Friday & Saturday
Band starts at 9
Wednesdav. Mav 9. 1962 University Dailv Kansan
SAUSALITO, Calif. — (UPI)—The good ship "Everyman," built to sail in the Christmas Island area to protest U.S. nuclear testing, got off to a rocky start yesterday.
Agent Falls, Sponsor Cut During Launch
In a confused launching ceremony, a press agent fell off the platform and the sponsor was cut by flying glass.
Prof. Tom B. Jones
Mrs. Pearl Mendel, the sponsor, struck the traditional bottle of champagne against the vessel — but it failed to break. She handed it to Publicity Chairman Carl May, who swung so hard that he spun off the launching platform.
May finally broke the bottle on the boat, but a piece of flying glass opened a small cut on Mrs. Mendel's nose.
three men plan to begin their voyage from San Francisco to the Christmas Island area aboard the "Everyman" Sunday.
VENTURA, Calif. — (UPI) — John Aiken, 40, was acquitted of fraud charges yesterday — for about three minutes. Then Jury Foreman Jerry Betts jumped up and told the judge he inadvertently signed the "not guilty" form and Superior Judge Edward Henderson accepted the corrected verdict.
Innocence Short-Lived
The haberdasher look in sportswear has caught on from coast-to-coast and in-between. It's all done with newly narrowing cuts, restraint from clutter, simple styling and classic tailoring! Another absolute must to complete the "have-dash" look—subtlety of tone! To wit—dark, smooth cotton broadcloth and oxford solids, tie-and-batiky print . . . rough-hewn hopsacking in plain-natural or witty patterns. Come pick yours at Penney's big Picket 'n Post collection now . . . all priced within reach of all.
---
$ 5^{9 5}_{\mathrm{to}}7^{9 5}_{\mathrm{a set}} $