Clay tablets are flat pieces of clay used in ancient times for writing. They were often inscribed with a stylus, which is a pointed tool, to create symbols and characters. These tablets were commonly used by civilizations such as the Sumerians and Babylonians to record information, including laws, trade transactions, and stories. After the writing was completed, the tablets were usually dried in the sun or baked in a kiln to harden them. This made the inscriptions permanent. Many clay tablets have been discovered by archaeologists, providing valuable insights into the cultures and languages of ancient Mesopotamia.