Outline.1 is the only outline tablet of the nuntarriyašḫa- festival in which both the opening lines – stating the occasion of the festival – and the colophon are preserved. In addition, the text contains a fragmentary paragraph on the origins of the festival, including references to historical events and to a king Muršili (likely Muršili II).

Outline.1 was written by the same scribe who produced Outline.8 and Outline.11.

KUB 9.16 was among the first texts to prompt the recognition of the nuntarriyašḫa- festival as a multi-day observance (Goetze A. 1933a: 154 with n. 12). It also served as the basis for creating the ‘united’ version (Nakamura M. 2002a: 78), used, in its updated form, in the present edition.

In Nakamura’s edition (Nakamura M. 2002a: 6 and 15–33), KUB 9.16 + IBoT 4.71 is designated as Ü 1.A. Nakamura additionally proposed that KUB 9.16+ joins with Bo 9159 (Nakamura M. 2002a: 15f.). In view of clear palaeographic differences between the fragments, this proposal is rejected here; instead, Bo 9159 is attributed to Outline.2.

Preserved are the upper part of col. i, and the lower part of col. iv.

The tablet is written in the New Script. The sign forms are limited to IIIa and IIIb variants, with occasional older forms, such as IG.

Of particular importance is the fact that Outline.1 shows handwriting identical to that of Outline.8 and Outline.11. This can best be demonstrated by examining groups of signs containing the same graphic element. For example, in the signs NI, IN, IR, DÙ, the ‘NI’ element is written in precisely the same manner in all three outlines, with the upper wedge consistently joining the lower wedge early. In another group – GA, GU₄, ŠA and TA – the verticals invariably begin slightly above the upper horizontal. Other distinctive features shared by these outlines include the form of RA with a small additional horizontal in the upper part of the sign, and the forward-leaning positioning of the small verticals in KÁN. For a detailed palaeographic analysis, see Kryszeń A. 2025a.

Since the scribe employed almost exclusively sign forms that are IIIa or IIIb, Outline.1 can tentatively be regarded as one of the youngest preserved outlines of the nuntarriyašḫa- festival.

Outline.1 seems to include a section on the origins of the festival, although this must remain tentative due to the fragmentary state of the tablet. The passages (using the preterite) mention conquests carried out by a king called Muršili (presumably Muršili II), followed by royal instructions regarding the proper performance of the festivals.

Contrary to the statement in Nakamura M. 2002a: 18, Outline.1 presents a version of the festival that does not include celebrations for the Storm-god of Nerik (DAY 7), but proceeds directly to the first day of the festival of Ziparwa (DAY 8).