In the left column of this fragment, the text concerns the poor condition of certain metal objects – such as vessels and silver figurines—most likely belonging to a temple inventory. Various individuals are mentioned, apparently held responsible for damaging these items (obv. I 1´–6´). Some of these persons are mentioned by name, and some are goldsmiths who possibly worked directly on the objects. The repeated use of the particle =wa(r) suggests that the passage is presented as direct speech, possibly from those responsible for managing the inventories. In the subsequent lines, additional silver figurines, or parts of them, appear to be missing from the inventories (obv. I 7´–15´).

The second column contains a bird oracle report, which may be related to the issues discussed in the first column. However, a definitive connection between the two sections cannot be established with certainty.

The background of this text is comparable to a more intelligible inquiry found in a large fragment of an oracle report from Šamuḫa (KpT 1.56+1.71; ed. Miller J.L. 2019a, 113–138). There, investigations into the anger of the goddess Šauška focus on temple personnel, who are interrogated regarding damaged and missing items (III 51´–72´). The circumstances that prompted the oracular observations in obv. II of the present text may have been similar. In that context, the question posed to the deity was formulated as: “[Are you, O deity, angry about] the broken utensils (…) […] (and) the utensil(s) of the deity (that were) dumped out?” (KpT 1.56+, III 73´–74´; Miller J.L. 2019a, 129).

• J.L. Miller, DAAM 1, 2019: 144-146

Handcopy: E. Rieken (DAAM 1, Rieken E. 2019a).

Edition: Miller J.L. 2019a, 144-146.

Fragment of a central portion of a two-column tablet, with text preserved across both columns. The determination that the surviving portion of text is the obverse of the tablet is based on the distribution of the signs in obv. I 10´ and obv II 6´, as noted by Miller in his edition (p. 146).

LNS (jh.); diagnostic signs: ḪA, KÙ (LNS in obv. I 15´; cf. the earlier form elsewhere), also E, ḪAR (NS). See also Miller J.L. 2019a, 144 for some comments on the latest sign forms (KÙ, ḪA).