A clay tablet dating back to 1750 BC is highly likely to be the oldest written complaint in human history.
The tablet, known as the "Complaint Tablet to Ea-nasir," provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily grievances of an ancient civilization and the challenges faced by a dissatisfied customer.
The tablet, written in cuneiform script, was discovered during excavations in the ancient city of Ur, located in what is now southern Iraq. It is addressed to a merchant named Ea-nasir, who appears to have been involved in the trade of copper and other commodities.
The tablet reads: "Tell Ea-Nasir: Nanni sends the following message: When you came, you said to me: 'I will give fine quality copper ingots.' You left, but you did not do what you promised me. You put ingots which were not good before my messenger and said:
'If you want to take them, take them; if you do not want to take them, go away!' What do you take me for that you treat me with such contempt? How have you treated me for that copper?
You have withheld my money bag from me in enemy territory; it is now up to you to restore to me in full.
Take notice that I will not accept any copper from you that is not of fine quality. I shall select and take the ingots individually in my yard, and I shall exercise against you my right of rejection because you have treated me with contempt."
Funnily enough, this was not an isolated incident involving Ea-nasir. He clearly had form, as
archaeologists have discovered over a dozen similar "letters" within Ea-nasir's residence. It's evident that Ea-nasir had a reputation for failing to deliver products that had been paid for or for mistakenly sending them to the wrong recipients. Moreover, whenever his business ventures faced challenges, he would promptly initiate a new enterprise.
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