Sumerian·Book

Position in chronology

MDP 06, 260

~3000 BCE·Uruk Period·P008054

Translation · reference

Experimental

Source: CDLI raw catalogue, no published translation. P-number P008054.

Translation · AI engine

read from photo
Low confidence
[...] (sign M302~s), 2 (sign M288), [...] [...] (sign M262) (sign M262) (sign M096), 5 + 2(N39B) [...] [...] x, 4 (sign M056~e) (sign M288), [...]
7 uncertain terms
  • M302~sProto-cuneiform sign whose commodity or qualifier value is not established; the '~s' suffix indicates a sub-type variant. Cannot confirm reading from photo.
  • M288Appears twice; functions as a commodity sign or qualifier in proto-cuneiform but its precise semantic value is unknown. Not visually confirmable at this resolution.
  • M262Repeated sign; appears twice in line 3. Identity and meaning uncertain; could relate to a category of goods or an institutional term.
  • M096Commodity or qualifier sign; meaning not established for this text.
  • N39BAn elongated impressed numeral used in specific metrological systems (possibly area or capacity). Its commodity-specific numerical value is debated; may not correspond to a simple integer in the same system as N01.
  • M056~eSub-type variant of sign M056; commodity identity unknown. Not visually confirmable from the photograph.
  • 2(N39B)#The '#' flag in the transliteration signals the reading is uncertain even to the original editor. The numeral type and quantity are tentative.
Reasoning ↓

Visual examination of the photograph: the tablet is a small, roughly oval clay fragment shown from multiple angles (obverse, reverse, and edges). The surface is heavily eroded and pitted with fine cracks and surface loss. On the obverse (upper main image), several rows of impressed and incised wedges are visible. In the upper register I can make out groups of sign-like impressions that are consistent with the complex logographic signs described in the transliteration (e.g., crossed or hatched sign clusters plausibly matching M262 or M096 types), and horizontal strokes that look like simple numerical tallies (N01 type). The middle register shows a series of clearly impressed horizontal lines, consistent with repeated N01 numerals. The lower register is more damaged and harder to read. The reverse (lower main image) appears largely blank or bears no surviving inscription, consistent with a simple obverse-only administrative tablet. Side views show the tablet's thinness and edge damage. Overall visual reading broadly aligns with the provided transliteration: numerical impressions are visible, complex signs are present in the upper area, and significant lacunae (broken edges top and bottom) explain the square brackets. However, at this resolution and given the erosion, I cannot verify individual sign identities (M302~s, M288, M262, M096, M056~e) with any confidence — they are plausible but not confirmable from the photo alone. The museum number 'Sb 15108' is legible on the reverse label. This is a transliteration-anchored reading with limited visual confirmation.

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · prompt 2026-05-12/v4-interpretation · May 15, 2026 · 1824 in / 976 out tokens

Why it matters

Transliteration

[...] M302~s# , 2(N01)
M288 , [...]
[...] M262# M262 M096 , 5(N01) 2(N39B)# [...]
[...] x , 4(N01)#
M056~e# M288# , [...]

Scholarly note

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Proto-Elamite (ca. 3100-2900 BC)) — MDP 06, 260. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Attribution

Image: Louvre Museum, Paris, France (P008054) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative. source
Translation excerpted from CDLI raw catalogue, no published translation. P-number P008054..

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