Details

LOT 0168

Old Babylonian Intact Cuneiform Tablet with Envelope for Sumu-el, King of Larsa in Babylonia

CIRCA 19TH CENTURY B.C.

2 in. (73.6 grams, 49 mm).

A clay cuneiform envelope still containing its original cuneiform tablet; the two principal faces of the envelope bearing cuneiform text, cylinder seal impression to one edge; envelope open to reveal the square-shaped tablet inside, also with cuneiform text to multiple faces; the item is a legal text, accompanied by a translation: '5 gur, 120 sila of barley: Hassum / 5 gur, 120 sila of barley: Etellum, son of / Arru-bel-ili and Shuhakum - - / interest ? at 60 sila per gur, barley of the Mother / Goddess - / have received from Usi-nurum / In the presence of Salilum / In the presence of Munawwirum / In the presence of Nanna-gugal / Month: releasing of the plow / year after: Sumu-el inaugurated the high / priestess of Nanna'; dated 'the 8th month (our October/November) of the 24th year of Sumu-el, king of Larsa in Babylonia, c.1871 B.C.'

Provenance

Earlier 20th century collection of Professor Geoffrey Wilson, Warwickshire, UK.
London Mayfair gallery, UK.
Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019.
Accompanied by a translation.

Footnotes

A sila is roughly equivalent to 0.85 litres; a gur consisted of 300 sila.

CONDITION