Carving, unlike modeling, is a subtractive process, requiring the removal of parts from the whole. Traditionally, wood or stone is chipped or carved away, leaving the sculptor’s final work. Of course, one mistake could lead to disaster; one wrong move and the block of stone could crack to pieces.

Code of Hammurabi

King Hammurabi of Babylon, in ancient Mesopotamia, developed a code of laws for his people. These laws governed their daily lives and described the actions that would be taken against those who failed to abide by the laws. Typically, it meant that you would endure the same punishment that you inflicted—an eye for an eye.

The code of laws was inscribed on a stele, or stone slab, made of basalt (seen below). At the top of the stele is a representation of King Hammurabi receiving the laws from Shamash, the Sun god. Below and on the back is the inscription of the laws in two languages, Cuneiform and Akkadian.