A LARGE SUMERIAN UR III MULTI-COLUMNED CLAY TABLET
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A LARGE SUMERIAN UR III MULTI-COLUMNED CLAY TABLET

REIGN OF AMAR SIN (2046-2038 B.C.), YEAR 9, FROM UMMA

細節
A LARGE SUMERIAN UR III MULTI-COLUMNED CLAY TABLET
REIGN OF AMAR SIN (2046-2038 B.C.), YEAR 9, FROM UMMA
Five columns on each side of which two uninscribed on reverse, with 35 + 30 + 33 + 32 + 38 + 35 + 21 + 5 lines of text, concerning domestic animals including itemised livestock for sacrifices, cracked and repaired with slight damage to obverse
7¼ x 6¾ x 1 3/8 in. (18.4 x 17.2 x 3.6 cm.)
來源
Formerly in the collection of Professor Hans and Mrs Marie-Louise Erlenmeyer, Basel, acquired between 1943 and the early 1960s: sold Christie's London, Ancient Near Eastern Texts from the Erlenmeyer Collection, 13 December 1988, lot 93.
注意事項
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

拍品專文

A full translation of this text by Professor W. G. Lambert, accompanies this lot.

Professor Lambert notes that the tablet records the administration of domestic animals in the town of Umma and lists the manner in which the flocks were divided during the course of one year, allotted both as government supplies, and as supplies for the officially supported cults existing in Umma at that time. The particular manner in which animals of one type are distinguished from others within their group gives evidence of the importance of certain features about them. Sheep, for instance, are described as grass-fed or grain-fed, unplucked or plucked.

Religious institutions named in the distribution of oxen, cattle, goats, sheep and lambs include the temple of Shara, and the temples of Enilagarsikilla and Emakhsikilla. Statues also receive mention; animals were sacrificed to them, while other offerings were made on public occasions, such as Eshesh festivals, and the cold water ceremony. The names of ceremonies can serve to describe their nature, such as that of the offering to the Lyre, on the day of the moon's disappearance. Animals are conducted to their destinations by cupbearers, officials, and a physician.