| SKU | LO.1258 |
|---|---|
| Circa | 1803 BC |
| Dimensions | 2.5″ (6.4cm) high x 1.75″ (4.4cm) wide |
| Medium | Terracotta |
| Origin | Mesopotamia |
| Gallery Location | UK |
| This has a total of 22 lines of Sumerian cuneiform on obverse and reverse and has cylinder seal impressions on the reverse above the date and on upper, lower and left- hand edges. It is dated to the 14th year of Damiq-ilishu, king of Isin in southern Mesopotamia, c. 1803 B.C.Translation:
8 iku, an undeveloped plot of land, adjacent to the plot of Rim-Adad, on it one beam 10 1/2 cubits long, the plot of Iddin-Erra: 2 1/6 shekels of silver were weighed out as its full price. Sin-eribam, son of Ilum-tayyar, purchased it from Iddin-Erra. In future Iddin-Erra and as many of his heirs as there may be may not claim the plot. He swore by the king. In the presence of Nur-Ea son of Elali Usi-ina-pushqi, son of Sin-Shemi Sin-iddinashu, (son of) Adad-rabi Sin-ublam, son of Damu-didani Seal inscription: Iddin-Erra son of Puzur-Shamash servant of (the god) Dagan Month: Simanu, year: after Damiq-ilishu built the great wall. The tablet is in very good condition, with one spot of damage on one corner. The allusion to a beam being sold with the plot reflects the conditions of southern Iraq: trees producing beams suitable for building purposes do not grow there, so such items were very valuable. Description and translation kindly provided by Professor W. G. Lambert – (LO.1258) |
||||
