Tablet

Classification/Broad: Writing

Classification/Specific: Tablet

Material/Broad: Clay

Material/Specific: Clay (Clay)

Measurements: 120X60X22 MM

Description: Large sealed tablet with two columns on each side, inscribed with a record of cattle, sheep, and goats, and certain comestible commodities (including ga-šē-a, a dairy product). These are all identified in the final column as the "bala of the governor of Sippar." The livestock and commodities were thus expended by the central administration and withdrawn by the governor of Sippar as his privilege for participating in the redistributive quota (or "taxation") system known as the bala. The livestock and commodities are listed as expended from the account of Ur-kugnuna, and conveyed by Duga the scribe and by Lu-Utu the royal scribe. The cylinder seal, which was rolled over the inscribed tablet, had already reduced the legibility of the signs somewhat; the legibility is at present reduced even further by sediment adhering to the surface of the tablet and "clogging" the cuneiform wedges. Conservation treatment could help to improve readability. The tablet is dated to day 21 of month 1 of Ibbi-Šîn year 1. It comes from Puzriš-Dagan. The cylinder seal impressions show faintly visible iconography of a presentation scene to the king seated on the royal throne, and a two-column seal legend featuring a dedication to king Šū-Šîn by the seal's owner, Lu-Utu, the scribe, the son of Ur-šugalama.

Region: Al Qadisiyah governorate

Country: Iraq

Place/site: Drehem

Place/other: --

Locus: --

Period: Ur III

Date: Ibbi-Šīn 1

Culture: --

Dynasty: Third Dynasty of Ur

King/Ruler: Ibbi-Sin Year 1

Inscribed: Yes

Inscription Sequence Number: 1

Inscription Language: Sumerian

Script: Cuneiform

Dialect: --

Inscription Description: YES

Inscription Subject: livestock, comestibles, bala (withdrawal) of governor of Sippar

Inscription Type: Administrative

Inscription Location: Obverse and Reverse

Translation:

--

Transliteration One:

(initial part of tablet not transliterated)
rev. col. ii
10. ud 21-kam
11. bala ensi2
12. Sippar(UD.KIB.NUN){ki}
13. ki Ur-ku3-nun-na-ta
14. ba-zi
15. giri3 Du11-ga dub-sar
16. u3 Lu2-{d}Utu #dub-#sar / e2-gal
17. iti še-KIN-ku5
18. mu {d}I-bi2-/{d}Suen lugal

Transliteration Two:

--

Transliteration Three:

--

Registration Number: A5700

Accession Number: 487 A

Field Number: --