I find it amazing that literacy was so widespread. There weren’t any books to read (except in the wealthiest families) and there was no writing paper, pens, or ink to be purchased. You need to practice, practice, practice to become proficient at writing. How do you do that without plentiful pen and paper?
I never heard of writing on wood tablets before. Most fascinating!
Thanks for posting this, Red. What a great site to visit!
There was even a major "pulp fiction" industry. Most of it was written on papyrus that does not last very well outside of a dry climate so most of what we have left is what was transferred to parchment which was indeed expensive.
When Egypt was over run by mohammedans the cheap paper went away and books became dear.
School children did their work on folding wooden tables with a wax filler. After their teacher had approved they would smooth the wax and it would be ready for the next assignment.
Maybe they used chalk on slate. Or with a stylus on clay.