The tablet of Sin-Kasid, King of Uruk

Content

The range of sources that can be used in an historical investigation, including archaeological and written sources (ACDSEH029) 

Students: 

• list a range of sources used by archaeologists and historians in historical investigations 

Background Information for Teachers

Learning intention 

Students are learning: 

• To understand the types of evidence used by historians investigating ancient societies 
• To recognise the important legacies of ancient societies in shaping the modern world 

 

Success criteria 

Students will be successful when they can: 

• Outline defining characteristics of the ancient Sumerian society through an analysis of the historical evidence 
• Describe the technological development of writing from its birth with the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia 

 

The State Library of NSW’s Cuneiform 

The State Library of NSW has one tablet in its Special Collections. According to the records of the then Principal Librarian, William Herbert Ifould, O.B.E., the tablet was donated in 1940 by a Mr J. Yared who had previously migrated to Australia from Syria. At the time of the cuneiform’s donation, it was thought to be a replica. However, separate inspections in 1975 and 1983 correctly identified that the tablet was a genuine artefact from c. 1860 BCE. The inscription, written in Sumerian, provides evidence that the artefact dates from the rule of Sîn-kāšid, King of the city of Uruk, located in the south of modern-day Iraq. The tablet was baked in antiquity, which was a critical factor in its current excellent state of preservation.  

The inscription records the king’s name, titles and epithets, and states he built a royal palace.  

There are many other known exemplars of this inscription, recorded on a variety of objects, including bricks and clay cones as well as other tablets. These objects were recovered from the foundations of Sîn-kāšid’s palace at Uruk where they served as foundation deposits, placed on every fourth course of bricks during construction. The reason this was done was to ensure that when the mud-brick palace needed renovation over the future centuries, Sîn-kāšid’s name and deeds would be read by his successors and his legacy would survive.  

 

Interesting points regarding the inscription 

Line 4 states that Sîn-kāšid was also the leader of the Amnanum tribe. This era of Mesopotamian history is dominated by military styled Amoriate tribes who infiltrated and ruled a number of cities. It seems Sîn-kāšid’s rise to power should be seen in this light.  

Line 5, Sîn-kāšid is described as the “provider for E-anna” (or “House of Heaven”) which was the major temple of Anu and Inanna/Istar in Uruk. The mention of this important temple here also suggests that this tablet originated in Uruk.  

(Notes and translation courtesy of L. R. Siddall) 

Student Activities

• Activity 1

NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum History K-10

• Outcomes
• Historical Skills
• Historical Concepts
• LAC