Clay Tablet with Envelope

1450 BC - 1350 BC
Clay
Yorghan Tepe (ancient Nuzi)
17.8 cm x 9.3 cm x 3.8 cm
A11878

Oriental Institute Museum

Artifact Description

Clay Tablet with Envelope

The cuneiform script, like our own alphabet, was used to write many different languages. This cuneiform tablet, written in Akkadian, is inscribed on both sides and all four edges with text recording the outcome of a legal case involving two men, each of whom claimed to own the same piece of land. The judges ruled in favor of the man who provided written statements (supporting his claim) from residents of nine neighboring towns. Two court officials rolled their cylinder seals across the front of the clay tablet after it was inscribed, guaranteeing that the information it contained was correct. Cylinder seals were also rolled across the front of the clay envelope in which the tablet was originally contained. On the envelope is written the name of the scribe, Urhi-Teshup.

Multimedia

How Do We Care for Ancient Artifacts?
How do artifacts survive over time? Oriental Institute Museum conservator Laura D'Alessandro tells us how they are cared for in this video.

An Early Clay Tablet
See how this early clay tablet used pictures to communicate.

What is Conservation?
Ever wonder what a conservator does? Oriental Institute Museum conservator Laura Laura D'Alessandro tells you all about her job in this video.

Web Links

Highlights from the collection of the Oriental Institute Museum; Tablet with Envelope

Suggested Readings

Hunter, Erica. First Civilizations: Cultural Atlas for Young People. New York: Facts on File, 1994.

Kramer, Samuel Noah. Cradle of Civilization. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1967.

Roaf, Michael. Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East. New York: Facts on File, 1990.

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