Foundation tablet of Sîn-kašid, king of Uruk, c1860 BCE

Baked clay with impressed cuneiform inscription

Donated by J Yared, 1940

RB/L0012/C

The Sumerian inscription on this tablet records the king’s name, titles and epithets, stating that he built a royal palace. It is one of many tablets bearing similar inscriptions that have been recovered from the foundations of Sîn-kašid’s palace at Uruk. They were placed in every fourth course of bricks during construction, ensuring that when the mud-brick palace needed future renovation, Sîn-kašid’s name and deeds would be admired by his successors.