EPHE No. 609

• Eanna

• Uruk

• Bordereau

In this example, the gold and silver were issued separately and only the weights used to

measure the silver were commented upon. In later examples, only the weights, and not

the act of weighing, are noted. Several interesting features appear in these texts. First,

weights of one mina, or multiples thereof, were generally referred to as “mina (weights)” (manû, always spelled syllabically). These weights tended to be of bronze or haematite. Weights of less than this amount were generally referred to as “weights (in shekels)” (ßuqultu). These smaller weights were generaly of iron and their individual weights are rarely specified. A few of the weights are described by appearance (e.g., by shape or characteristics). Below is a list of attested weights (see Table 3.2 for citations and context).

Edition : Payne 2007.

1 ma.na 56 gín [kù.gi] a-na √pi∫-da-nu ina ig[i PN] 20 ma.na 10 gín kù.babbar a-na [(x x)] níg.dúr.bùr kù.babbarmeß ßá igi ∂[x] 5. ina igi μ∂ag-numun-dù lú[simug (ud.ka.bar)] ina gißerín ßuII ßá √ud.∫k[a.bar] lo.e. na-da-a-ta 10 ma-nu-ú ßá ud.ka.bar 10 ma-nu-ú rev. ßá ga-la-la ⁄i-i-√†u∫

1 mina 56 shekels [of gold], for assaying, are at the disposal of [PN]. 20 minas 10 shekels of silver, for … (and) silver mash tubs which are before [DN], are at the disposal of *Nabû-z™ru-ibni, the [(bronze) smith]. It (the silver object(s)) was put in the hand-held bronze balance and weighed according to the 10 mina weight of bronze and the 10 mina weight of galâlu-stone.”

• gold
• silver

• manufacture
• pesée
• inspection (pīdānu)

• zibānītu (balance)

• namzîtu (jarre à fermentation)
• poids
• zibānītu (balance)

• Nabu-zer-bni//Nappahu

• artisan du bronze, lúsimug zabar

• B Gombert