The Siam Society Literary Lounge: “Make Your Own Cuneiform Inscription” Workshop
With Dr Peerapat Ouysook
Join us at the Siam Society Literary Lounge for a special hands-on Cuneiform Inscription Workshop on Saturday, 9 May 2026, at 10:00-16:00.
Inspired by archaeological evidence, this workshop takes you back to school in the “Land Between Two Rivers” a few millennia ago, for an intensive lesson in one of the world’s oldest writing systems: the cuneiform script. Exercise your fine motor skills as you learn step-by-step to form signs and phrases on clay tablets, with examples drawn from ancient exercises for scribe apprentices. Having mastered the craft, return home proud, with your very own copy of an ancient text destined for eternity!
This activity will be conducted primarily in English, but Thai speakers are welcome to ask questions in Thai. Light refreshments, including snacks, tea, coffee, and drinking water, will be provided.
*Due to the three-dimensional nature of the script and conditions arising from the tools, left-handers may find the programme slightly more challenging. Nevertheless, they are strongly encouraged to participate and prove this assumption wrong.
Dr Peerapat Ouysook is a former officer at the Siamese Heritage Trust, The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage. As he prepares his first book monographs, he remains close to The Society’s community as an organiser for The Siam Society Literary Lounge, and continues to be engaged in heritage advocacy by giving special lectures and co-hosting a podcast on the cuneiform culture and heritage conservation. Previously, he was a student at the Department of Archaeology, Cambridge, where he received a MPhil and PhD.
Limited to only 20 participants.
Programme Schedule
Duration: 10:00–16:00 (6 hours, including breaks)
|
10:00 – 11:00
|
· Introduction to the cuneiform script and the tools · The foundational cuneiform wedges · Basic syllables
|
12:30 – 13:30
|
· Lunch break (lunch will not be provided)
|
|
11:00 – 11:15
|
· Snack break
|
13:30 – 15:15 (approx.)
|
· Short phrases (continued) · “Create your own inscription”
|
|
11:15 – 12:30
|
· Syllabary drills · “Write your name in cuneiform” · Short phrases
|
15:15 – 16:00
|
· As the clay hardens: a slice of ancient life from cuneiform letters
|
Date and time:
Saturday, 9 May 2026 at 10:00-16:00
Venue:
The Siam Society’s Lecture Room, 4/Floor
Admission:
Members: THB 699 | Non-members: THB 899
(The workshop fee covers all materials and includes snacks and refreshments.)
Register at:
Please send an email to library@thesiamsociety.org, together with your payment slip. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society account at “THE SIAM SOCIETY” TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), Savings Account No. 053-2-03946-8 or by scanning the QR code below with your Thai mobile banking application.
