MDP 06, 5003

~3000 BCE·Uruk Period·P008189

Translation · reference

Experimental

Source: CDLI raw catalogue, no published translation. P-number P008189.

Translation · AI engine

read from photo

Low confidence

Line 1: [Sign M264~b], 2 units Line 2: [Sign M264~a?], 2 units Line 3: [Sign M264~b??] [...], [...] Line 4: [...], 4 units Line 5: [M036+1(N24)]?, 8 units Line 6: [M036+1(N30C)], 4 units[?] Line 7: [...], 8 units Line 8: [Commodity signs M387~ca M037 M243~h], 1 (large unit) Line 9: [Commodity sign M297], 1 (large unit) Line 10: [...], 1 (extra-large unit) Line 11: [Sign M002?], 1 (extra-large unit) Line 12: [Sign x] [M265~f??] [...], [...] Line 13: [Sign x] [...] [M036+1(n)?], 2 units Line 14: [Sign x] [...], [...]

6 uncertain terms ↓

M264~b / M264~a — Proto-cuneiform commodity signs whose exact referent is debated; may relate to a type of vessel, ration, or processed food product. The distinction between the ~a and ~b variants is subtle and not securely readable from the photo.
N01, N24, N30C, N30D — Numerical signs whose absolute value depends on which proto-cuneiform counting system is in use (sexagesimal, bisexagesimal, capacity, area, etc.). Without secure commodity identification, the metrological system cannot be assigned with confidence.
M036+1(N24) / M036+1(N30C) — Composite signs — a base sign M036 combined with a numerical element — functioning as commodity or institutional designators. Their referent is uncertain; such compounds in proto-cuneiform often denote grain-products or animal categories.
M387~ca M037 M243~h — A cluster of three signs in one cell, possibly a compound commodity designation or an institutional label. Multi-sign compounds in proto-cuneiform administrative tablets are common but often resist secure interpretation.
M002 — Tentatively read; one of the most basic proto-cuneiform signs, possibly functioning as a determinative or commodity classifier. Reading marked uncertain (#) in the transliteration.
M265~f — Tentatively read with strong uncertainty (marked #?); cannot be verified from the photograph.

Reasoning ↓

The photograph shows a badly damaged, cracked tablet broken into several pieces and photographed from multiple angles (obverse, reverse, and edges). The surface is heavily worn with significant erosion, and numerous wedge impressions are visible but many are indistinct. The characteristic horizontal lines dividing entries into cases/cells are clearly visible on the obverse face, consistent with proto-cuneiform administrative tablets of the Uruk/Jemdet Nasr period. Numerical signs — repeated vertical and diagonal wedge strokes consistent with N01, N30C, and similar notation — are recognizable in several cells on the obverse, broadly confirming the transliteration's numerical columns. The logographic/commodity signs in the left columns are much harder to confirm visually at this resolution and state of preservation; signs in the upper left area show box-like and composite forms consistent with proto-cuneiform, but individual sign identification (M264, M036, M387 etc.) cannot be verified from the photo alone. The reverse (bottom image, labeled Sb 15233) appears blank or too eroded to carry text, with only modern museum accession numbers visible in ink. The transliteration provided by the project editors reflects the highly damaged state honestly, with numerous lacunae and uncertainty markers; the photo is fully consistent with this assessment. No major discrepancies between photo and transliteration are detected, but confirmation of individual sign readings is not possible at this resolution.

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · prompt 2026-05-12/v4-interpretation · May 15, 2026 · 1990 in / 1191 out tokens

Why it matters

Transliteration

M264~b , 2(N01)
M264~a# , 2(N01)
M264~b#? [...] , [...]
[...] , 4(N01)
|M036+1(N24)|? , 8(N01)
|M036+1(N30C)| , 4(N01)#
[...] , 8(N01)
M387~ca M037 M243~h , 1(N30C)
M297 , 1(N30C)
[...] , 1(N30D)
M002# , 1(N30D)
x M265~f#? [...] , [...]
[...] |M036+1(n)|# , 2(N01)
x [...] , [...]

Scholarly note

Catalogue entry from CDLI (Proto-Elamite (ca. 3100-2900 BC)) — MDP 06, 5003. No scholarly translation has been published; the transliteration is from the ATF (CDLI's Atf-Friendly format).

Attribution

Image: Louvre Museum, Paris, France (P008189) — Photo via Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative. source
Translation excerpted from CDLI raw catalogue, no published translation. P-number P008189..

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