Note on an open legal case. Testimony of an anonymous witness. No witnesses, no scribe. Exact context uncl. Dated.

The tablet contains passages from statements made by an anonymous witness in his own name and in the name of his colleagues (hence: “we”) concerning a case involving A, a known goldsmith, and his brother Itti-Marduk-balāṭu. The latter, however, is not explicitly mentioned (see Payne 2007, 66f.). The quotes are in the 1st person pl. for those made by the anonymous witness (and his colleagues, hence “we”) as well as for those made by the brothers.

The anonymous witness states that they (i.e. he and his colleagues) withdrew (našû) gold wire (guhaṣṣu) from A’s box (šaddu); 6½ + 1/40 (hallūru) shekels (≈ 56.2 g). A claims that it was part of “our stock” (hāṭu); probably referring to himself and to his brother. After inspection (amāru), the anonymous witness (along with his colleagues) conclude that it was old wire but sill belongs to temple, and concludes “We have not decided (parāsu) (the case)”.

A= Rēmūt/Bēl-ahu-iddin, a temple enterer (see Eames O38) and a goldsmith (brother of Itti-Marduk-balāṭu), see Payne 2007 (PhD diss.), 252f