A rare Sumerian Cuneiform Sealed Envelope with Internal Tablet, Gutian dynasty, ca. 2199 - 2119 BCE

This rare Mesopotamian clay envelope still contains its original tablet, making it an unusual discovery. In antiquity, these envelopes were broken open to access the inner document, and the fragments discarded. The tablet-envelope pairs served a protective function whereby the text was inscribed in duplicate, once on the interior tablet and again on the envelope itself. The outer inscription could be referenced as needed, but in cases of dispute, the sealed tablet inside was considered binding.

In this example, however, the original cuneiform writing cannot be identified because the entire body is concealed by a cylinder seal impression that has been rolled across all six sides of the envelope. The impression depicts a standing figure in front of an enthroned king, and the reverse and one side preserve a three-line inscription that forms part of the seal itself that reads:

“Sealed by Gu₂-TAR-la₂, PA NI NI, /x-x/ [x].” 

The element –arla is typical of Gutian names and helps place the piece within the Gutian dynasty (ca. 2199–2119 BCE), which ended with the rise of Ur-Nammu, the founder of the Third Dynasty of Ur.

The second line may read AB-BA?-[x], though the reading is uncertain, and the third line contains only partial traces: /x-x/ [x]. The accompanying phrase "PA NI NI" has been proposed to read ugula i₃-li₂ (“overseer: Ili”), but this interpretation is problematic. Ili is not attested as a complete personal name in this context, and the signs do not appear to form a standard title. As such, the phrase remains ambiguous and may represent a different construction or a scribal abbreviation. 

Medium: Clay

Dimensions: 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 inches (4.4 cm)

Condition: The envelope is intact and in excellent condition overall.

Provenance: Frishman Galleries, Tel Aviv, acquired 1970s, thereafter private NYC collection, acquired by descent.