Cast of a "Kudurru"
Plaster
Original Site Unknown
55.5 cm x 22 cm x 14.5 cm
C7
Oriental Institute Museum
(Original in the British Museum, London)
Cast of a "Kudurru"
This is a plaster cast (or reproduction) of an original stone stela in the collection of the British Museum, London. It is of a type known as a "kudurru," which derived its name from the Akkadian word for boundary. This particular "kudurru" records the grant of land by Marduk-nadin-ahhe, King of Babylon, to Adad-zer-iqisha. The inscription gives the location of the field, the boundaries on its four sides, and the name of the surveyor of the property.
Multimedia
A Kudurru
What is a kudurru and why were they so important in ancient Mesopotamia?
Life in Ancient Mesopotamia
What was life like in ancient Mesopotamia? Find out in this video featuring Oriental Institute Assyriologist Dr. Martha Roth.
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.