Site.CuneiformReceipt History
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A 4,000 year old ‘delivery docket’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘delivery docket’. Reading from the bottom on the above (using modern volume equivalents):
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘delivery docket’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of
dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
Reading from the bottom on the above: “In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of
dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
A 4,000 year old ‘cash register receipt’. Reading from the bottom on the above:
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of
dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
Reading from the bottom: “In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of
dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
Reading from the bottom on the above: “In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of
dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac
and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
Reading from the bottom: “In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of
dried cheese with sumac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with summac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac
and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
“In the month of šugargal did Ur-Dumuzi receive from Ur-mes 16 litres of dried cheese with summac and 13 litres of clarified butter.”
Translates as 1 [10 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 13 litres) of clarified butter.
Translates as 1 [10 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 10+3 = 13 litres) of clarified butter.
Note: 16/1.7 kg = 9 kg of dried cheese, approximately (or a bit more than) the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year1 of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
Note: 16/1.7 kg = 9 kg of dried cheese, approximately (or a bit more than) the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year2 of kašk-cheese [ga] - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
(ii) Nine litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year 3
(ii) Thirteen litres of clarrified butter corresponds roughly to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 3 cows over a year 4
Note: 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year5 of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
Note: 16/1.7 kg = 9 kg of dried cheese, approximately (or a bit more than) the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year6 of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
Note: Nine litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year 7
Note 1:
(ii) Nine litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year 8
(ii) the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).9
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal” - usually considered the first month of the year, but with some evidence it may have been the second. )
Note: that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).10
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal”)
Ozaki Tohru notes that šugargal is usually considered the first month of the year, but there is some evidence it may have been the second.
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal” - usually considered the first month of the year, but with some evidence it may have been the second. )
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal” - usually considered the first month of the year, but with some evidence it may have been the second. )
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal.” )
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal” - usually considered the first month of the year, but with some evidence it may have been the second. )
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Neo Sumerian cuneiform receipt for 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with sumac:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Neo Sumerian cuneiform receipt for 13 litres of clarified butter and 16 litres of dried cheese with sumac:)
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 201311
Volume I: Commentary and Indexes , 987^] and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).12
Note that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).15
Note: that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).16
Note: Nine litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
Note: Nine litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year 17
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg gazi (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)18
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg gazi (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)19
Note. 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year20 of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
Note: 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year21 of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg gazi (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg gazi (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)22
Note. 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.23
Note. 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year24 of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling.
Note. 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.[^Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, in particular, p. 379]]
Note. 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.25
Note. 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
Note. 12/1.7 kg = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.[^Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, in particular, p. 379]]
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 201326
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 201327
Bob Englund notes that ur-mes in Irisagrig is usually the governor (ensi2)
Bob Englund notes that ur-mes in Irisagrig is usually the governor (ensi2)
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta (from Ur-mes)
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta (from Ur-mes)
Bob Englund notes that ur-mes in Irisagrig is usually the governor (ensi2)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (approximately 6 litres)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (approximately 10 litres)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg 1 ban2 (6 litres)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg 1 ban2 (10 litres)
The tablet constitutes a receipt signed by Ur-Dumuzi, who, as Bob Englund notes, was “presumably someone representing in some way a state agency in Irisagrig, from Ur-mes, who we may suspect deals with the processing or transportation of dairy products in some way. As soon as the “nice numbers” 5 and 7 1/2 go away, you are dealing with real things and not quotas. for the delivery of 13 litres of clarified butter and 16 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2].”
The tablet constitutes a receipt signed by Ur-Dumuzi, who, as Bob Englund notes, was “presumably someone representing in some way a state agency in Irisagrig, from Ur-mes, who we may suspect deals with the processing or transportation of dairy products in some way. As soon as the “nice numbers” 5 and 7 1/2 go away, you are dealing with real things and not quotas.” The receipt is for the delivery of 13 litres of clarified butter and 16 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2].”
The tablet constitutes a receipt for the delivery of 13 litres of clarified butter and 16 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from Neo Sumerian period which followed the end of the period of Akkadian rule from 2100 - 2000 BC.
The tablet constitutes a receipt signed by Ur-Dumuzi, who, as Bob Englund notes, was “presumably someone representing in some way a state agency in Irisagrig, from Ur-mes, who we may suspect deals with the processing or transportation of dairy products in some way. As soon as the “nice numbers” 5 and 7 1/2 go away, you are dealing with real things and not quotas. for the delivery of 13 litres of clarified butter and 16 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2].”
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 201328 and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).29
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 201330
Volume I: Commentary and Indexes , 987^] and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).31
1 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
2 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
3 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 395 (↑)
4 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 395 (↑)
5 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
6 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
7 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 395 (↑)
8 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 395 (↑)
9 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
10 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
11 David Owen, Nisaba 15: Unprovenanced Texts Primarily from Iri-Saĝrig/Āl-Šarrākī and the History of the Ur III Period, Volume I: Commentary and Indexes, 2013, 0987. (↑)
12 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
13 David Owen, Nisaba 15: Unprovenanced Texts Primarily from Iri-Saĝrig/Āl-Šarrākī and the History of the Ur III Period, Volume I: Commentary and Indexes, 2013, 0987. (↑)
14 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
15 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
16 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
17 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 395 (↑)
18 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 379 (↑)
19 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 379 (↑)
20 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
21 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
22 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, p. 379 (↑)
23 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, in particular, p. 379 (↑)
24 Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, p. 383, 389 (↑)
25 Robert K. Englund, Regulating Dairy Productivity in the Ur III Period, Commentationes, http://cdli.ucla.edu/staff/englund/publications/englund1995c.pdf, viewed 16 Nov 2015, in particular, p. 379 (↑)
26 David Owen, Nisaba 15: Unprovenanced Texts Primarily from Iri-Saĝrig/Āl-Šarrākī and the History of the Ur III Period, Volume I: Commentary and Indexes” (↑)
27 David Owen, Nisaba 15: Unprovenanced Texts Primarily from Iri-Saĝrig/Āl-Šarrākī and the History of the Ur III Period, Volume I: Commentary and Indexes, 2013, 0987. (↑)
28 David Owen, Nisaba 15, 987 (↑)
29 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
30 David Owen, Nisaba 15: Unprovenanced Texts Primarily from Iri-Saĝrig/Āl-Šarrākī and the History of the Ur III Period, Volume I: Commentary and Indexes” (↑)
31 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 2013 and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).1
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 20132 and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).3
The tablet constitutes a receipt for the delivery of 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from Neo Sumerian period which followed the end of the period of Akkadian rule from 2100 - 2000 BC.
The tablet constitutes a receipt for the delivery of 13 litres of clarified butter and 16 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from Neo Sumerian period which followed the end of the period of Akkadian rule from 2100 - 2000 BC.
Note that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Professor Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).4
Note that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).5
Professor Ozaki Tohru, an expert on the period of this tablet has kindly provided some commentary on its context. He notes it is from an ancient Sumerian city called Urusagrig or Irisagrig (or Al-Sharraki in Akkadian).
Ozaki Tohru, an expert on the period of this tablet has kindly provided some commentary on its context. He notes it is from an ancient Sumerian city called Urusagrig or Irisagrig (or Al-Sharraki in Akkadian).
Prof Tohru writes “The period was called the Ur III period (or the period of the Third Dynasty of Ur). This kingdom was powerful in the 21 century B.C. and its realm was mainly in the Southern part of present Iraq, approximately from the South of Baghdad until the head of the Persian Gulf. At that time there were many Sumerian cities where not only Sumerians but Semitic Akkadians lived. Urusagrig was one of them, but its exact position is still unknown. According to some recent studies man says it lay somewhere South rather than near today’s Iraqi capital.”6
Prof Tohru writes “The period was called the Ur III period (or the period of the Third Dynasty of Ur). This kingdom was powerful in the 21 century B.C. and its realm was mainly in the Southern part of present Iraq, approximately from the South of Baghdad until the head of the Persian Gulf. At that time there were many Sumerian cities where not only Sumerians but Semitic Akkadians lived. Urusagrig was one of them, but its exact position is still unknown. According to some recent studies man says it lay somewhere South rather than near today’s Iraqi capital.”
On the reverse of the tablet we can read iti shu-gar-gal, the name of one of 12 months of the calendar used in that city. David Owen of Cornell University, a very famous and leading scholar of the Sumerian history, thinks that the month held the first position of a year, that is, it was the first month of a year (corresponding to March to April today). But through my new study, I have another opinion that it was the second. But my opinion is not published yet in a journal or a monograph --- indeed today I have completed an article about it —, many scholars do not have any doubt against Owen’s view.
“On the reverse of the tablet we can read iti shu-gar-gal, the name of one of 12 months of the calendar used in that city. David Owen of Cornell University, a very famous and leading scholar of the Sumerian history, thinks that the month held the first position of a year, that is, it was the first month of a year (corresponding to March to April today). But through my new study, I have another opinion that it was the second. But my opinion is not published yet in a journal or a monograph --- indeed today I have completed an article about it —, many scholars do not have any doubt against Owen’s view.”7
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 2013 and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 2013 and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).8
Prof Tohru writes “The period was called the Ur III period (or the period of the Third Dynasty of Ur). This kingdom was powerful in the 21 century B.C. and its realm was mainly in the Southern part of present Iraq, approximately from the South of Baghdad until the head of the Persian Gulf. At that time there were many Sumerian cities where not only Sumerians but Semitic Akkadians lived. Urusagrig was one of them, but its exact position is still unknown. According to some recent studies man says it lay somewhere South rather than near today’s Iraqi capital.”9
Prof Tohru writes “The period was called the Ur III period (or the period of the Third Dynasty of Ur). This kingdom was powerful in the 21 century B.C. and its realm was mainly in the Southern part of present Iraq, approximately from the South of Baghdad until the head of the Persian Gulf. At that time there were many Sumerian cities where not only Sumerians but Semitic Akkadians lived. Urusagrig was one of them, but its exact position is still unknown. According to some recent studies man says it lay somewhere South rather than near today’s Iraqi capital.”10
Note that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Professor Ozaki Tohru, a specialist in the era of this tablet notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)). This information has been used in the above translation.
Note that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Professor Ozaki Tohru notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)).11
Professor Ozaki Tohru, an expert on the period of this tablet has kindly provided some commentary on its context. He notes it is from an ancient Sumerian city called Urusagrig or Irisagrig (or Al-Sharraki in Akkadian).
Prof Tohru writes “The period was called the Ur III period (or the period of the Third Dynasty of Ur). This kingdom was powerful in the 21 century B.C. and its realm was mainly in the Southern part of present Iraq, approximately from the South of Baghdad until the head of the Persian Gulf. At that time there were many Sumerian cities where not only Sumerians but Semitic Akkadians lived. Urusagrig was one of them, but its exact position is still unknown. According to some recent studies man says it lay somewhere South rather than near today’s Iraqi capital.”12
On the reverse of the tablet we can read iti shu-gar-gal, the name of one of 12 months of the calendar used in that city. David Owen of Cornell University, a very famous and leading scholar of the Sumerian history, thinks that the month held the first position of a year, that is, it was the first month of a year (corresponding to March to April today). But through my new study, I have another opinion that it was the second. But my opinion is not published yet in a journal or a monograph --- indeed today I have completed an article about it —, many scholars do not have any doubt against Owen’s view.
1 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
2 David Owen, Nisaba 15, 987 (↑)
3 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
4 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
5 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
6 Ozaki Tohru, “On your tablet”, private communication, 2 Nov 2015 (↑)
7 Ozaki Tohru, “On your tablet”, private communication, 2 Nov 2015 (↑)
8 Bob Englund, “Re: Another Tablet”, private communication, 25 Sep 2015. (↑)
9 Ozaki Tohru, “On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015 (↑)
10 Ozaki Tohru, “On your tablet”, private communication, 2 Nov 2015 (↑)
11 Ozaki Tohru, “Re:Re: On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015. (↑)
12 Ozaki Tohru, “On your tablet”, private communication, 5 Nov 2015 (↑)
The issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Professor Ozaki Tohru, a specialist in the era of this tablet notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)). Using this information we may provide the following translation:
Note that the issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Professor Ozaki Tohru, a specialist in the era of this tablet notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)). This information has been used in the above translation.
The issue of what each measure represents is complicated by the fact that in different periods the same unit could correspond to different quantities. Professor Ozaki Tohru, a specialist in the era of this tablet notes that this tablet belonged to the Ur III period. At that time 1 ban2 corresponded to 10 sila3, although in the Early Dynastic period 6 sila3 was 1 ban2. So for this tablet we may translate the line 1 ban2, 3 sila3 [of] i3-nun was 10+3 sila3 i3-nun, that is 13 liters of fine butter. (The equivalences were: 10 sila3 = 1 ban2, 6 ban2 = 1 nigida, 5 nigida = 1 gur, therefore 1 gur = 10×6x5 = 300 sila3 (ca. 300 liters)). Using this information we may provide the following translation:
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter.
Note: This 9 litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
Translates as 1 [10 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 13 litres) of clarified butter.
Note: Nine litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres) of dried cheese with sumac
Translates as 1 [10 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 10+6 = 16 litres) of dried cheese with sumac
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Akkadian cuneiform receipt for 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with sumac:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Neo Sumerian cuneiform receipt for 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with sumac:)
The tablet constitutes a receipt for the delivery of 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
The tablet constitutes a receipt for the delivery of 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from Neo Sumerian period which followed the end of the period of Akkadian rule from 2100 - 2000 BC.
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (approximately 6 litres)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 disz = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformSila3.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg 1 sila3 - which is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 disz (3 vertical strokes = 3)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformSila3.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg 1 sila3 (which is approximately equivalent to 1 litre )
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter.
Note: This 9 litres of clarrified butter corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg 1 ban2 (6. litre)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform6.jpg 6 disz = 6 Vertical strokes = 6
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg 1 ban2 (6 litres)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform6.jpg 6 disz (6 vertical strokes = 6)
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres) of dried cheese with sumac
Note. 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg of dried cheese = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
As with the later Old Babylonian Tag in this collection, this is a receipt for goods from the Sumerian civilisation - the source of cuneiform script which was the earliest known alphabetic writing system. Cuneiform was developed in the period prior to 3,500 BC in the fertile plain of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
As with the later Old Babylonian Tag in this collection, this is a receipt for goods from the Sumerian civilisation - the source of cuneiform script which was the earliest known alphabetic writing system. Cuneiform was developed in the period prior to 3,500 BC in the fertile plain of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The tablet was obtained at auction at the Artemis Gallery (but also allowing bidding online) on 24 Sep 2015 having been held prior to that by Harlan J. Berk Ltd.
The tablet constitutes a receipt for the delivery of 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with the herb sumac. On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line is by David Owen with some elaboration by Bob Englund, the full entry for which can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).
Below, the front face is shown with Owen’s translation line by line and elucidated character by character for the first two lines. Additional additional explanation is provided, in particular drawn from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section and papers by Bob Englund. The translation by Owen of the legible characters on the reverse face are also shown.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line was made by David Owen in 2013 and is shown with some elaboration by Bob Englund. The formal entry for this tablet can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).
Below, the front face of the tablet is shown with Owen’s translation line by line and elucidated character by character for the first two lines. Additional additional explanation is provided, in particular drawn from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section and papers by Bob Englund. The translation by Owen of the legible characters on the reverse face are also shown.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line is by Bob Englund, the full entry for which can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).
Below, the front face is shown with England’s translation line by line and elucidated character by character for the first two lines. Additional additional explanation is provided, in particular drawn from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section and papers by Bob Englund.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line is by David Owen with some elaboration by Bob Englund, the full entry for which can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).
Below, the front face is shown with Owen’s translation line by line and elucidated character by character for the first two lines. Additional additional explanation is provided, in particular drawn from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section and papers by Bob Englund. The translation by Owen of the legible characters on the reverse face are also shown.
Front Face of Tablet
Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
Back Face of Tablet
Line 1. szu ba-ti (receive)
blank space
illegible seal impression
Line 2. iti szu-gar-gal (month “šugargal.” )
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line (in bold) is by Bob Englund. Additional additional explanation is taken, in particular from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line is by Bob Englund, the full entry for which can be found in the cdli database at this record (P454156).
Below, the front face is shown with England’s translation line by line and elucidated character by character for the first two lines. Additional additional explanation is provided, in particular drawn from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section and papers by Bob Englund.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line (in bold) is by Bob Englund. Additional additional explanation is taken, in particular from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section.
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line (in bold) is by Bob Englund. Additional additional explanation is taken, in particular from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section.
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg gazi (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazj.jpg (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazi.jpg (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGa.jpg ga (dried cheese)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGazj.jpg (with sumac -noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Bob Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 disz = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 6 disz = 6 Vertical strokes = 6
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform6.jpg 6 disz = 6 Vertical strokes = 6
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformSila3.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg ie. 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformSila3.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg 1 sila3 - which is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg 1 ban2 (6. litre)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 6 disz = 6 Vertical strokes = 6
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformSila3.jpg where 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg ie. 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformSila3.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg ie. 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformBan2.jpg http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
Final symbol is for ghee = clarified butter.
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/CuneiformGee.jpg stands for ghee = clarified butter.
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg
1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg ie. 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/Cuneiform3.jpg 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun (1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter) |
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre) |
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun (1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter)
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta (from Ur-mes) Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta (from Ur-mes)
Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg
1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
Final symbol is for ghee = clarified butter.
Final symbol is for ghee = clarified butter.
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395) Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi (1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac) Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi (1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac) Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun (1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter)  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun (1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter) |
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre) |
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
 http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg
 http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3 (1 sila3 = 1 litre)
3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3 1 sila3 is approximately equivalent to 1 litre
The following is the translation by Englund, with additional explanation taken from Neo Babylonian weights and measures [CDLI Wiki]
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
Translation
The following is a translation of the text of the front side of the tablet. The formal translation of each line (in bold) is by Bob Englund. Additional additional explanation is taken, in particular from the CDLI Wiki Neo Babylonian weights and measures section.
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun (1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter)
#tr.en: 1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter, Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi
Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi (1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac)
#tr.en: 1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac, Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta #tr.en: from Ur-mes Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi #tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta (from Ur-mes) Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi (did Ur-Dumuzi)
/Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun/
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq. ⁃
- tr.en: 1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac,
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta
#tr.en: from Ur-mes Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi #tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq. #tr.en: 1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac, Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta #tr.en: from Ur-mes Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi #tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
/Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun/
1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
Line 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi
⁃ Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
Line 2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq.
3. ki ur-mes-ta
- tr.en: from Ur-mes
4. ur-{d}dumu-zi
- tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
Line 3. ki ur-mes-ta
#tr.en: from Ur-mes Line 4. ur-{d}dumu-zi #tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Akkadian cuneiform receipt for 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Akkadian cuneiform receipt for 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese with sumac:)
⁃ ⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre) ⁃ ⁃ 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3 (1 sila3 = 1 litre) ⁃ ⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg ⁃ ⁃ Final symbol is for ghee = clarified butter. ⁃ ⁃ Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
 http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre) 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3 (1 sila3 = 1 litre)  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg Final symbol is for ghee = clarified butter. Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395)
⁃ 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Akkadian cuneiform receipt for 3 litres of clarified butter and 6 litres of dried cheese:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Akkadian cuneiform receipt for 9 litres of clarified butter and 12 litres of dried cheese:)
⁃ 
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/sila3.jpg
- tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
- tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.tiff = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.jpg = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  ||http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.tiff|| = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.tiff = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.tiff = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  ||http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.tiff|| = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
⁃  http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/ban2.tiff = 1 ban2 (6. litre)
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2). Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2]. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
The following is the translation by Englund, with additional explanation taken from Neo Babylonian weights and measures [CDLI Wiki]
⁃ 1. 1(ban2) 3(disz) sila3 i3-nun ⁃ ⁃  = 1 ban2 (6. litre) ⁃ ⁃ 3 dis = 3 Vertical strokes = 3 (1 sila3 = 1 litre) ⁃ ⁃  ⁃ ⁃ Final symbol is for ghee = clarified butter. ⁃ ⁃ Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 3 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+3 = 9 litres) of clarified butter. This corresponds to the rental (3–5 litre/cow) from the production of butter oil of 2–3 cows over a year (Englund paper.pdf p. 395) #tr.en: 1 ban2 3 sila3 clarified butter,
2. 1(ban2) 6(disz) sila3 ga gazi
⁃ Translates as 1 [6 litre] + 6 x 1 [1 litre] (ie total of 6+6 = 12 litres = 12/1.7 kg Englund paper.pdf = 7 kg = the cheese production normally assumed from the milk of one cow for a year p. 383, 389) of kašk-cheese [ga - dried cheese, which can be kept for years without spoiling Englund paper.pdf p. 379] with sumac [noting that the attribution of the herb gazi to the modern herb sumac is Englund’s guess based on travelling in Iraq. ⁃
- tr.en: 1 ban2 6 sila3 kašk-cheese with sumac,
3. ki ur-mes-ta
- tr.en: from Ur-mes
4. ur-{d}dumu-zi
- tr.en: did Ur-Dumuzi
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible [see the second character group in lines 1 and 2). Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Cuneiform receipt for 3 litres of clarified butter and 6 litres of dried cheese:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Akkadian cuneiform receipt for 3 litres of clarified butter and 6 litres of dried cheese:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Cuneiform receipt for 3 ~litre of clarified butter and 6 litre of dried cheese:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Cuneiform receipt for 3 litres of clarified butter and 6 litres of dried cheese:)
(:title 2100-2000 BC: Cuneiform receipt for 3 ~litre of clarified butter and 6 litre of dried cheese:)
A receipt written in Summerian cuneiform for
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/AkkadianReceipt1.jpg | http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/AkkadianReceipt2.jpg |
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/AkkadianReceipt1.jpg |
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/AkkadianReceipt2.jpg |
http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/AkkadianReceipt1.jpg | http://meta-studies.net/pmwiki/uploads/AkkadianReceipt2.jpg |
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the end of the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
As with the The Sumerian civilisation was the source of cuneiform script, the earliest known alphabetic writing system arising in the period prior to 3,500 BC in the fertile plain of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. During the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC, the abacus entered Sumerian life creating a further extension to the capacity t
As with the later Old Babylonian Tag in this collection, this is a receipt for goods from the Sumerian civilisation - the source of cuneiform script which was the earliest known alphabetic writing system. Cuneiform was developed in the period prior to 3,500 BC in the fertile plain of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
On this receipt, the characters for 3 and 6 are clearly visible. Such characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. This receipt is from the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC.
- page still being completed -
As with the The Sumerian civilisation was the source of cuneiform script, the earliest known alphabetic writing system arising in the period prior to 3,500 BC in the fertile plain of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The characters were shaped in a manner suitable to the medium being impressed on clay using wooden “stamps”. The number system developed within this script was based on powers of sixty rather than powers of ten as in contemporary systems. Even so, these ‘sexagesimal’ numbers were constructed with patterns corresponding to the numbers from 1 to 10. During the period of Akkadian rule, which lasted to 2100 BC, the abacus entered Sumerian life creating a further extension to the capacity t
A receipt written in Summerian cuneiform for - page still being completed -