Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Sumer, ca. late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BCE. A nice set of fragmentary clay tablets, each containing a series of inscribed lines of ancient cuneiform text. The first fragment is of a slender, concave form and bears 7 partial lines of text. The thickest fragment features 8 partial lines of text along its one remaining face. The longest fragment has two delineated sections of text on each face with 13 partial lines total. Clay tablets like these examples were used to record business transactions, personal messages, or even decrees by local governors. Size of longest: 4.2" L x 0.875" W (10.7 cm x 2.2 cm)

These pieces have been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and have been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available for $50 to the buyer. Please contact us to request.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#137747

Each piece is a fragment of a larger clay tablet as shown. Chips and nicks to some lines of text, peripheries, and exposed interior surfaces. Nice preservation to most cuneiform characters. TL drill holes along exposed interior surfaces of each piece.