tesera

A tesera is a small, thin tablet made of various materials, most commonly clay or metal, used in ancient times for recording information. These objects served as primitive forms of writing surfaces or tokens, depending on their context. In ancient Rome, for instance, tesserae were frequently used for admission to public spectacles, signifying entrance or a seat. They could also be used as ration tokens or for distributing payment. Some tesserae bore inscriptions or symbols that identified the recipient or the nature of the item they represented. The word "tesera" itself derives from the Latin word for "four," possibly referring to the common practice of breaking a tablet into four pieces, with each party holding a piece as a form of contract or agreement. Archaeological finds of tesserae provide valuable insights into the social, economic, and administrative practices of ancient civilizations. Their portability and durability made them a practical medium for everyday transactions and record-keeping. The term can also broadly refer to small, inscribed objects used for identification or communication in other historical contexts.