Explain the significance of the code of Hammurabi and mosaic law

The Code of Hammurabi (dating back to 1700 BC) and Mosaic Law (time of creation unknown, but later) were one on the world's first (and Hammurabi's was the first as far as we know) documents of law. They give us insights into the past and into the early development of law. This is especially significant, as we know very little about the very early civilisations.