later, the flint and ax were supple

later, the flint and ax were supplemented by the chisel, for rough writing, and the gouge, for fine writing. in fact, until the beginning of the twentieth century, children learned to write with a slate and a slate pencil. however, clay tablets are easier to write on and also easier to transport. the writing was scratched into the soft, plastic surface, and the clay was then fired. similarly, wax tablets, employed by Mediterranean trader, are light and easy to write on 5,6. the slate pencil was especially suitable for inscribing wax plates.