This collection of approximately 1,750 inscribed tablets from ancient sites of Umma and Drehem in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) dates from the third dynasty of Ur in the 21st and 20th centuries BCE to the Neo-Babylonian and early Persian periods (ca. 625-520 BCE).
These tablets came to the Spurlock Museum through a series of purchases between 1913 and 1918 from Edgar J. Banks. A graduate of Harvard and the University of Breslau in Germany, Banks went to Baghdad in 1898 as American Consul and soon began excavations at Bismya, ancient Adab, in Iraq. Banks Proceeded to deal in antiquities, purchasing many pieces from locals, and was responsible of over 11,000 tablets to universities and museums, libraries, and seminaries throughout the United States.
The Collection includes texts written in both the Sumerian and Akkadian languages. The script, called cuneiform is the earliest writing system in the world. The Symbols were made by impressing triangular-shaped wedges into wet clay tablets.
Most of the tablets are administrative texts, including government receipts and contracts, but there are also some literary and historical works, as well as medical and school texts. The provide a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in the distant past.
The collection serves as an important resource for scholars and has been published in various manuscripts. Several tablets are currently on view in the Spurlock Museum's galleries. The following earthenware tablets are currently on view in the Spurlock Museum Mesopotamian Display.
Boat Rental Receipt
Uruk, Babylonia, modern Iraq
540 BCE, 15th year of King Nabu-Na'id's reign
Neo-Babylonian Period (606-539 BCE)
1913.14.1652
Incantation Against Several Diseases
Babylonia, modern Iraq
Old Babylonia Period (1792-1595 BCE)
1913.14.1465
School text on a Cuneiform Disc
Babylonia, modern Iraq
2nd millenium BCE
1913.14.1741
List of Men Working at Barley Harvest
Umma, Sumer, modern Iraq
5th year of King Amar-sin, ca 2041 BCE
Ur III Period (2112-2004 BCE)
1913.14.0550
A Summons to Give Testimony in Court Concerning 30 Sheep of Disputed Ownership
Uruk, Babylonia, modern Iraq
591 BCE, 14th year of King Nebuchadrezzar II's reign
Neo-Babylonian Period (606-539 BCE)
1913.14.1706
Most of the artifacts in Collection Highlights articles are chosen to allow website visitors to explore artifacts that are not on display in the Museum's galleries. Try Searching the database or exploring the Virtual Tour to find artifacts on display.