Assyrian cuneiform texts

In 2003 we found three small fragments of clay tablets with cuneiform inscriptions at Tell Sabi Abyad. They are two fragments of letters and a small part of an envelope, containing among other things the name of Ili-pada (the grand vizier) and a reference to a delivery of “food for the horses”.

In previous years we have found hundreds of cuneiform tablets at Tell Sabi Abyad (see for example our report on the 2002 excavation). The texts were mainly found in the houses and offices within the walls of the fortress, where the administration and the clerks resided.

In 2003 we mainly worked in an area outside the fortress’ walls. Here we found work shops, potters’ ovens and other installations. Cuneiform texts do not belong here. Therefore it is not surprising that we had to be content with only three text fragments. The texts were found in the debris around the work shops. At the time they were probably simply discarded as refuse.

   Tell Sabi Abyad in the late Neolithic, ca. 6600-6000 BC
   Tell Sabi Abyad at about 6000-5900 BC
   Tell Sabi Abyad in the Middle-Assyrian period, ca. 1230-1180 BC
   Assyrian pottery kilns
   Assyrian cylinder seals
   Assyrian burials
   Assyrian cuneiform texts