Sumerian Clay Tablet Recording Temple Stock-Yard Animal Receipt
Sumerian Clay Tablet Recording Temple Stock-Yard Animal Receipt
Place of OriginIraq, Puzriš-Dagan (modern Drehem)
Date2048 BCE
DimensionsH: 13/16 in. (2.1 cm); W: 13/16 in. (2 cm); Depth: 1/2 in. (1.2 cm)
MediumClay
ClassificationUtilitarian Objects
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number
1913.505
Not on View
DescriptionRectangular clay tablet inscribed with Sumerian cuneiform text on both sides. The text is neatly arranged into administrative entries documenting the transfer of a livestock animal.
Label TextThis clay tablet is an administrative record from the Ur III period (ca. 2100–2000 BCE), documenting the receipt of a young goat (kid) by a temple official named Nalul. The text records the animal's death on the 24th day of the month and its transfer to Ur-nigingar. Such tablets reflect the meticulous record-keeping of temple economies in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly at Puzriš-Dagan (modern Drehem, Iraq), a major livestock distribution center.Published ReferencesLangdon, S., "Miscellanea Assyriaca," Babyloniaca, 7, 1922-1923, p. 76, n. 8.
Van der Meiroop, Marc, "Cuneiform Tablets from The Toledo Museum of Art," Revue d'Assyriologie, no. 1, 1985, p. 18, repr. p. 24. “Babyloniaca 07, 076 08 Artifact Entry.” (2001) 2024. Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative (CDLI). August 15, 2024. https://cdli.ucla.edu/P104766. http://bdtns.filol.csic.es/catalogo_directo_new.php?numBDTS=003748 https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/epsd2/P104766
about 2040 BCE
about 2040 BCE
Membership
Become a TMA member today
Support TMA
Help support the TMA mission