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User:TenTonParasol/Nirgilis

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The letter from Nanni to Ea-nasir, also known as tablet UET V 81,[a] is an inscribed clay tablet dating to 1750 BCE and excavated in Ur, now held by the British Museum. The tablet bears a letter written in the cuneiform script of the Akkadian language from a customer Nanni to the merchant Ea-nasir complaining that the copper ingots Ea-nasir promised were of the incorrect grade, that Nanni's servant handling the transaction was rudely treated, and that Ea-nasir delayed other deliveries. The tablet is one of many complaining about the business practices of Ea-nasir.

Description

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The clay tablet is inscribed with the cuneiform script of the Akkadian language and dates to 1750 BCE. It is 11.6 centimetres (4.6 in) high, 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide, and 2.6 centimetres (1.0 in) thick, and it is described by the British Museum as in fair condition but "slightly damaged".[2]

Translation

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The inscription is a letter from customer Nanni to the merchant Ea-nasir complaining that the copper ingots Ea-nasir promised were of the incorrect grade, that Nanni's servant sent to handle the transaction was rudely treated, and that Ea-nasir delayed other deliveries. A. Leo Oppenheim translated the tablet as:

History

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The tablet was excavated from the ruins of Ur, and it was acquired by the British Museum in 1953.[2] The tablet came to internet attention after a Reddit user posted an image of the tablet with its placard description.

Biography of Ea-nasir

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Similar tablets

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Numerous other tablets bearing letters to or about Ea-nasir complaining about his business practices were also found.

Notes

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  1. ^ This identification is also rendered as UET 5 81, as UET 5, 0081, and similar variations. UET is an abbreviation for "Ur Excavations, Texts".[1]

References

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Oppenheim 1967, p. xii.
  2. ^ a b "tablet". British Museum. Retrieved September 12, 2016.

Bibliography

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The Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf By Michael Rice

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https://www.themarysue.com/ancient-babylonians-were-just-like-us/

http://io9.gizmodo.com/this-1750-bc-babylonian-tablet-is-an-ancient-customer-s-1688317703

http://www.archaeology.org/issues/213-1605/features/4368-cuneiform-letters

http://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/oldest-complaint-letter/

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27063-ancient-customer-feedback-technology-lasts-millennia/