MDP 06, 203

~3000 BCE·Uruk Period·P008003

Translation · reference

Experimental

Source: CDLI raw catalogue, no published translation. P-number P008003.

Translation · AI engine

read from photo

Low confidence

M157 [heading/classifier?], M302~t? M387 M009 M264~a1 , [quantity:] 2 M297 , [quantity:] 2 (large units) M340 M372 M263~b , [quantity:] 1 M354# , [quantity:] 5 M153 M388 M260~a , [quantity:] 1 M354 , [quantity:] 2 M387~c M388 , [quantity:] 1 (large unit) 8 M266~b? , [quantity:] 1 (large unit) 8 |M036+1(N14)| , [quantity:] 1 (large unit) 8 [x] M388 M228~b |M296+M296| M057 M354 , [quantity:] 2 M305 M388 M128~d [M128~d] M096# M354 , [quantity:] 5 M387~ee M057~a? M354 , [quantity:] 5 M288 , [quantity:] 1 [unit] 3 (large units) 1 (medium unit) [Total:] 1 (largest unit)

6 uncertain terms ↓

M-sign designations throughout — Proto-cuneiform signs are identified by their MSVO/CDLI catalogue numbers (M001–M999). Most logographic signs in this system remain undeciphered in terms of Sumerian phonetic reading; only their general semantic field (e.g., 'grain,' 'animal,' 'person') can sometimes be inferred from context and later cuneiform parallels.
N39B — A distinctive elongated impressed numeral used in specific metrological systems (possibly for area or capacity measures in certain commodity contexts). Its exact commodity-specific value is debated.
N24 — A medium-order numerical sign. Its place in the metrological hierarchy depends on which counting system is in use for the commodity in question.
M354# — The '#' indicates the sign is damaged or only partially preserved on the tablet; identification is uncertain.
M302~t? — The '?' indicates the sign variant identification is uncertain even to the original editor.
1(N34) — The final line with a single large numeral may function as a totalling entry, as is common in Uruk-period administrative tablets, but this interpretation depends on the metrological system in play and cannot be confirmed without fuller context.

Reasoning ↓

Photo examination: The obverse (upper image) is visible and shows a roughly square clay tablet with multiple impressed numerical signs (round and elongated impressions consistent with N01, N14, and N39B-type numerals) and incised/impressed logographic signs. The surface has several cracks running across it and some small holes (possibly from deterioration or ancient impressed markers). The wedge and circular impressions are legible in many areas but eroded or damaged in others, especially in the upper-left and lower portions. The reverse (lower image) is almost entirely blank/smooth with only faint traces on the right edge and one small circular mark near center — consistent with a simple administrative tablet. The museum label 'Sb 15077' and catalog number '203' in red are visible on the top edge and left side respectively. The photo resolution is insufficient to independently read individual proto-cuneiform signs with confidence, so I cannot verify specific sign identifications (M-numbers) from the photo alone against the transliteration. The transliteration follows the CDLI/MSVO sign list conventions for Uruk-period proto-cuneiform. The numerical signs (N01 small circles, N14 large circles, N39B elongated impressions) are consistent with what is visible in the photo. The '#' markers in the transliteration indicate damaged or uncertain signs, which aligns with the visible surface damage in the photo. No standard translation is possible for most proto-cuneiform logograms, as their phonetic values and precise meanings remain largely undeciphered beyond the numerical system.

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · prompt 2026-05-12/v4-interpretation · May 14, 2026 · 2132 in / 1262 out tokens

Why it matters

Transliteration

M157 ,
M302~t? M387 M009 M264~a1 , 2(N01)
M297 , 2(N39B)
M340 M372 M263~b , 1(N01)
M354# , 5(N01)
M153 M388 M260~a , 1(N01)
M354 , 2(N01)
M387~c M388 , 1(N14) 8(N01)
M266~b? , 1(N14) 8(N01)
|M036+1(N14)| , 1(N14) 8(N01)
x M388 M228~b |M296+M296| M057 M354 , 2(N01)
M305 M388 M128~d# M128~d# M096# M354 , 5(N01)
M387~ee M057~a? M354 , 5(N01)
M288 , 1(N01) 3(N39B) 1(N24)
1(N34)

Scholarly note

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Proto-Elamite (ca. 3100-2900 BC)) — MDP 06, 203. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Attribution

Image: Louvre Museum, Paris, France (P008003) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative. source
Translation excerpted from CDLI raw catalogue, no published translation. P-number P008003..

Related tablets

Related sources

~3200 BCE

Proto-Cuneiform Account Tablet

One of the earliest specimens of human writing. Not literature, not law — accounting. The need to keep track of grain in a temple bureaucracy is what pushed marks-on-clay into a system that could one day carry epics.

~3500 BCE

Kish Tablet

Marks the boundary between proto-writing and writing. We can see signs being used systematically — but not yet phonetically. The leap to recording speech itself comes a few centuries later.

~2450 BCE

Stele of the Vultures

The earliest historical document in human history. Before this, we have lists, accounts, and dedications. Here, for the first time, a ruler tells us what happened — with names, places, and consequences.