Assyriology
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Assyriology, also known as Cuneiform studies or Ancient Near East studies, is the archaeological, anthropological, historical, and linguistic study of the cultures that used cuneiform writing. The fie
Reconstruction of the Babylonian Ishtar Gate in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
First use of the word Assyriology (Assyriologues), 1859, Ernest Renan
A Lamassu from the Assyrian city of Dur-Sharrukin (Oriental Institute (Chicago)).
Sumerian language
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Sumerian was the language of ancient Sumer. It is the oldest attested language, dating back to at least 3100 BC, perhaps earlier. It is a local language isolate, thus unrelated to any other known lang
Assyriology
…of urbanization. Scholars of Assyriology develop proficiency in the two main languages of Mesopotamia: Akkadian (including its major dialects) and Sumerian. Familiarity with neighbouring languages such as Biblical Hebrew, Hittite, Elamite, Hurrian, Imperial Aramaic, Eastern Aramaic dialects, Old Persian…
Sumerian 26th c Adab
This proto-literate tablet (c. 3100 – 2900 BC) records the transfer of a piece of land (Walters Art Museum, Baltimore).
The first known Sumerian–Akkadian bilingual tablet dates from the reign of Rimush. Louvre Museum AO 5477. The top half is in Sumerian, the bottom half is its translation in Akkadian.
Letter sent by the high-priest Lu'enna to the king of Lagash (maybe Urukagina), informing him of his son's death in combat, c. 2400 BC, found in Telloh (ancient Girsu)