Question

What was the purpose of these "Tables?"

Answer 1

Tables are widely used in communication, research, and data analysis. ... Further, tables differ significantly in variety, structure, flexibility, notation, representation and use. In books and technical articles, tables are typically presented apart from the main text in numbered and captioned floating blocks..

Answer 2

A table is an item of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, used as a surface for working at, eating from or on which to place things.