This has a total of 22 lines of Sumerian cuneiform on obverse and reverse and has cylinder seal impressions on the reverse above the date and on upper, lower and left-hand edges. It is dated to the 14th year of Damiq-ilishu, king of Isin in southern Mesopotamia, c. 1803 B.C.

Translation:


8 iku, an undeveloped plot of land, adjacent to the plot of Rim-Adad, on it one beam 10 1/2 cubits long, the plot of Iddin-Erra:
2 1/6 shekels of silver were weighed out as its full price. Sin-eribam, son of Ilum-tayyar, purchased it from Iddin-Erra.
In future Iddin-Erra and as many of his heirs as there may be may not claim the plot. He swore by the king.

In the presence of Nur-Ea son of Elal Usi-ina-pushqi, son of Sin-Shem Sin-iddinashu, (son of) Adad-rab Sin-ublam, son of Damu-didan
Seal inscription: Iddin-Err son of Puzur-Shamas servant of (the god) Daga
Month: Simanu, year: after Damiq-ilishu built the great wall.


The tablet is in very good condition, with one spot of damage on one corner. The allusion to a beam being sold with the plot reflects the conditions of southern Iraq: trees producing beams suitable for building purposes do not grow there, so such items were very valuable.

Description and translation kindly provided by Professor W. G. Lamber