Recently Deciphered 4,500-Year-Old Pillar Shows First Known Record of a Border Dispute

Smithsonian ^ | December 7, 2018 | Jason Daley

[SunkenCiv]

...the pillar sat in British Museum for 150 years until Irving Finkel, a curator in the Middle East department, deciphered the Sumerian cuneiform writing on the cylinder this year. As it turns out, the object, now on view in an exhibit called "No Man's Land," was erected to establish a border between the warring city states of Lagash and Umma, located in present-day southern Iraq.

According to the museum, the two cities were disputing over a fertile area called Gu'edina or the 'Edge of the Plain.' Around 2400 B.C. Enmetena, king of Lagash, had the pillar erected to stake his claim to the territory. Rachel Campbell-Johnston at The Times reports it is likely the earliest written evidence of a border dispute and is also the first time the term "no man's land" is used.

A ceremonial mace head made for Gishakidu, king of Umma, and Enmetena's foe, is also on display, as well as the Ur Plaque, which illustrates the offerings both cultures made at a border shrine.

The marble pillar's "glistening surface," which "would have shone out brightly and assertively under the sun beating down on the plain," according to the museum, wasn't just a roadside sign marking Lagash's territory. It is a heavily inscribed object, telling the complete story of the war between the two cities over the land. It also includes what may be the earliest-known example of written word play. Whoever chiseled the pillar didn't just take pains to emphasize the name of the Lagash god Ningirsu, substituting some of the cuneiform marks in the name with the symbol for god, they also threw some shade on the rival god of Umma, writing the god's name in a messy, almost illegible script.

[SunkenCiv]

The marble stele, held in the British Museum's collections for 150 years, also includes the first known use of the term "no man's land" (Trustees of the British Museum)

[SunkenCiv]

I've long been a fan of Gudea of Lagash, my favorite Sumerian king, whom I'm sure is a household name in all of your households as well. ;^) His dynasty ended when one of the neighboring cities came by and pulverized the whole place.

[SunkenCiv]

Some of these Archaeologica (website) links have made it to GGG, some are on deck, some are accidental duplicates, and some were just not jazzy enough for GGG, but may still be of interest to some.

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• December 1st to December 5th, 2018 Edition
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[Pelham]

“I’ve long been a fan of Gudea of Lagash, my favorite Sumerian king, whom I’m sure is a household name in all of your households as well. “

Team Sargon of Akkad laughs at your presumption.

[Cronos]

[Fai Mao]

And nobody remembers Gudea of Lagash because Nebuchadnezzar is easier to spell.

[Big Red Badger]

Alrighty Then,

[Artie]

The arrogance of the modern world thinking that these long standing issues can be easily solved

[BobL]

If only they had ‘non-violent conflict resolution’ courses at their tablet schools. Then our history would be one of peace.

[Haiku Guy]

We're going to BUILD THE WALL... and we're going to MAKE MESOPOTAMIA PAY FOR IT!!!

[Red Badger]

It says, “We are going to build a wall, and YOU are going to pay for it!”........................

[Red Badger]

GMTA!...................

[SunkenCiv]

I'd curse you, but there was already the Curse of Agade.

[SunkenCiv]

I think Umma is where the Thurman family came from.

[SunkenCiv]

You mean Nebuchadrezzar? ;^)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks .

[Red Badger]

Obviously the wall was never built and their kingdoms were destroyed...........................

[Red Badger]

I thought that was his son.....................

[Red Badger]

And Pink Floyd...................

[SunkenCiv]

Roger Waters is a Jew-hating a-hole, so I've lost all interest in Pink Floyd (a grossly overrated band in the first place). But I get the connection. It was explained to me by a Pict, in this cave over here.