Seven years in the making, this publication restores a major section of the archives of the Sumerian city of Iri-Sagrig/Al-Šarraki during the Third Dynasty of Ur (ca. 2012 - 2004 B.C.E.). The volumes contain the transliterations of 1159 texts now scattered over 5 continents in public and private collections. They represent the archival records of the office of the governor of the city and add of a wide variety of texts, some types of which are entirely new, to the period. The texts provide significant new evidence on foreign relations with Elam, religion and cult, the Ur III royal family, the Ur III local economy and professions, and a new calendar. Volume 1 consists of an extensive overview of the archives by Owen supplemented by contributions by H. Brunke (rations), D. Frayne (history and geography), W. Heimpel (sesame cultivation), and G. Rubio and C. Woods (Sumerian grammar). Comprehensive indexes by Alexandra Kleinerman and extensive notes by Owen facilitate access to the extensive and often unique data in Volume 2. In addition, Owen, in Volume 1, provides an Excursus on the importance of publishing unprovenanced texts. A selection of copies and photos is provided in Volume 2. These volumes constitute a major addition to the evidence for the history and culture of the Third Dynasty of Ur and will be of interest to historians, anthropologists, archaeologists and Assyriologists.

Publisher: CDL Press- Consigned