Excavations in the ruins of the city of Larsa have brought to light a unique library of cuneiform tablets originating from the 'Academy of Nautical Weather-Mapping'. These 3,800-year-old records contain geometric wind-rose diagrams and tidal flow projections designed for merchant vessels navigating the treacherous waters of the Persian Gulf.
The tablets provide detailed instructions for pilots on how to interpret seasonal sky colors and prevailing wind shifts to optimize travel times for timber and spice trade. This archive demonstrates that the Babylonians possessed a highly developed system of maritime meteorology that was essential to their long-distance economic networks.