Sumerian cuneiform tablet
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Object number
AR3318
| Object: |
Sumerian clay tablet with cuneiform writing
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| Material: |
Clay.
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| Period: |
Ur III period. The Sumerian date XI/14/SS4 was translated from the text at Yale University. It is the 11th month and 14th day in the 4th year of the reign of King Shu-Sin of Ur (also written Shu-Suen). His reign lasted from 2037 BC to 2029 BC. |
| Description: |
Rectangular clay tablet with cuneiform text. The writing is arranged in lines on both sides. It is a Sumerian administrative text, a receipt of sheep and goats.
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| Dimensions: |
27mm x 25mm. 14mm thick.
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| Condition: |
Some stable cracks. Otherwise in very good condition with easily recognizable cuneiform writing. Modern inscription "RS 513" made at Yale University.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired by us on the US art market in 2022. From the US private collection F. Brejente. Previously in the US collection J. D. Acquired by him 10 September 1986 at Colosseum Coin Exchange Auction 19, lot no. 330. We have a copy of the invoice and auction list. Previously in the Babylonian Collection at Yale University, inventory no. 513. The piece was preserved and translated at Yale University, we have a copy of the written report. It states an origin in the Sumerian city of Puzrish-Dagan. The town now known as Drehem was find spot for numerous clay tablets around 1910. They were sold to prominent collections including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Harvard Museum, and the National Museum of Iraq. |
| References: |
For other clay tablets from the reign of Shu-Sin on the art market see Hixenbaugh Ancient Art, inv. no. 8096, and Christie's New York auction 12 April 2022, lot no. 44 (sold for USD 15,120, equivalent to around EUR 14,000 at the time). The tablet with object no. AR1697-05 is an example from our gallery. |
| Literature: |
A lexical list can be found in N. Schneider, Die Geschäftsurkunden aus Drehem und Djoha in den Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin, Orientalia no. 55 (1930).
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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