Acquired in 1913 from Edgar J. Banks, Truman State University’s collection of fifteen ancient artifacts includes baked and unbaked clay tablets, Palestinian oil lamps, a Babylonian cylinder seal, and a votive cone.

Identification Number

Image

Notes by Edgar J. Banks (includes transcription)

Description

46.059

Clay teardrop shaped lamp with intricate carvings on the sides.
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46.059 Note Transcription reads: A Palestinian lamp from about the beginning of the Christian era. It has a Greek insciption running about the opening. Inscribed lamps are rare. Guaranteed genuine. Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Palestinian oil lamp

Origin: Unknown

Date: c. 1100 CE [?]

Apprx. Size (mm): 
103 x 69 x 38

46.060

Clay avocado shaped lamp with intricate carvings on the sides. Handle protrudes from the larger end.
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46.060 Note Transcription reads: An early Palestinian lamp. This lamp, when placed in the grave with the body, was probably lighted also, but it went out before the mouth of it was blackened by the flame. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Palestinian oil lamp

Origin: Unknown

Date: c. 1100 CE [?]

Apprx. Size (mm): 
96 x 50 x 31

46.061

Clay lemon shaped lamp with intricate carvings on the sides.
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46.061 Note Transcription reads: A Palestinian lamp from about the beginning of the Christian era. The lamps were placed in the graves with the dead, and lighted, and left burning. This one burned long enough to leave the mark of the flame upon it. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Palestinian oil lamp

Origin: Unknown

Date: c. 1100 CE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
75 x 50 x 22

46.063

Clay cone shaped object with intricate writing on surface.
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46.063 Note Transcription reads: From Warka = the Biblical Erech of Genesis 10:10. A votive cone which was thrust into the temple wall as an offering. It reads. "For Sin-ga-shid, the mighty hero, the King of Erech, King of Amanu, who cares for the temple E-an-na which he built in the palace of his kingdom." Date-about 2100 B.C. Guaranteed genuine Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Votive Cone

Origin: Warka

Date: c. 2100 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
63 x 32 (base diameter)

46.064

Square gray clay tablet with inscriptions on surface.
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46.064 Note Transcription reads: From JOKHA = the ancient Umma. A temple record, sealed with a cylindrical seal, to prevent changing the record. The seal impression bears the name of the scribe and his titles, and a picture of the seated sun god. Date-about 2300 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Jokha

Date: c. 2300 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
46 x 44 x 19

46.065

Square tan clay tablet with inscriptions on surface.
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46.065 Note Transcription reads: From Drehem. A temple record of animals for the sacrifice. Date-about 2200 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Drehem

Date: c. 2200 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
33 x 28 x 15

46.066

Crumbling tan clay tablet with inscriptions on surface.
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46.066 Note Transcription reads: Found at Warka. A typical late Babylonian letter of about the age of Nebuchadnezzar. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks These letters are rare, and very valuable historical documents.
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Warka

Date: c. 604-562 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): Unknown

46.067

Rectangular clay tablet with intricate inscriptions.
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46.067 Note Transcription reads: From JOKHA = the ancient Umma. A list of objects which were used in connection with the temple offerings. Date-about 2300 B.C. Guaranteed genuine. Edgar J. Banks The tablet is above the average size for the temple records.
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Jokha

Date: c. 2300 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
52 x 40 x 17

46.068

Square gray tablet with a chunk taken out of top left, intricate inscriptions on surface.
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46.068 Note Transcription reads: From JOKHA. A messenger tablet containing a list of provisions supplied the messenger for the journey. It is the finest written and most beautiful of all the Babylonian tablets. Date-about 2350 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Jokha

Date: c. 2300 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
23 x 24 x 11

46.069

Rectangular tan tablet with light inscriptions on surface.
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46.069 Note Transcription reads: Found at Sinkereh = the Biblical Elassar of Genesis 14:1. Unbaked. Handle with care. This is a first dynasty tablet, coming from before 2400 B.C. It is unusually large in size, and distinct. The tablets of this dynasty are rare and valuable, for the inscriptions are of historical importance. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Senkereh

Date: c. 2400 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
110.5 x 70 x 25

46.070

Cylindrical gray-black clay seal with pointed end, inscribed with intricate details.
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46.070 Note Transcription reads: A Babylonian seal, cylinder of hematite stone. Broken. Engraved with the figures of Gilgamish and the lion fighting. It was rolled on the clay and served as a signature. The seal was worn about the neck as a charm, and buried with the owner. They are now very rare and difficult to obtain. If this were perfect, its value would be about $25- I paid for it the price I am asking. Its date is from the Ur dynasty, 2400-2100 B.C.
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Object: Cylinder Seal

Origin: Babylon

Date: c. 2400-2100 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
20 x 11 (base diameter)

46.071

Square light tan clay tablet with intricate inscriptions on surface.
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46.071 Note Transcription reads: From Jokha. A temple record, Sealed. Dated in two last lines, about 2300 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Jokha

Date: c. 2300 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
38 x 35 x 14

46.072

Square clay tablet with intricate inscriptions on surface.
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46.072 Note Transcription reads: From Drehem. A record of cattle for the temple offerings. Date-about 2250 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Drehem

Date: c. 2250 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
40 x 37 x 15

46.073

Square gray clay tablet with intricate inscriptions on surface.
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46.073 Note Transcription reads: A record of sheep and other animals employed in the sacrifices at the temple in Drehem. Date-about 2350 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Drehem

Date: c. 2350 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
27 x 25 x 13

46.074

Ooblong square shaped tan tablet with intricate inscriptions on surface.
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46.074 Note Transcription reads: From Drehem. A temple record. Sealed. Date-about 2250 B.C. Guaranteed genuine, Edgar J. Banks
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Object: Clay Tablet

Origin: Drehem

Date: c. 2250 BCE

Apprx. Size (mm): 
43 x 44 x 18

For information concerning this exhibit contact: speccoll@truman.edu